Alphabet Books
Learning letters and the alphabet is so important, yet it can be so difficult for little ones. As a parent, reading the same alphabet books over and over can get slightly repetitive (to put it lightly). So, each book in our list has something unique and fun that will make the repetition enjoyable for everyone.
Alphabet books should be included in your child’s library to promote reading readiness. I have an entire blog series dedicated to the building blocks your child needs to master to be ready to read.
Learning the alphabet is a crucial step in developing reading skills. Children now only need to be able to identify the letters, but they also need to know what sounds each letter makes. English does not make this easy!!!
Many letters have multiple sounds. Think of the letter “C”. Sometimes it makes a “k” sound, and sometimes it sounds like an “s”. This can get very confusing for little learners. I wanted to give you a list of my favorite alphabet books to make learning the alphabet fun.
The Best Alphabet Books
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best Alphabet Books for Babies
Alphablock by Christopher Franceschelli- Jump to Section
Best ABC Book for Babies
ABC Animals! A Scanimation Picture Book by Rufus Butler Seder- Jump to Section
Best Alphabet Book for Toddlers
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault- Jump to Section
Best Alphabet Book for Preschool
Fraidy Zoo by Thyra Heder- Jump to Section
Best Alphabet Book For Kindergarten
Animalia by Graeme Base- Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Best Alphabet Books for Babies
Alphablock
Author: Christopher Franceschelli
Illustrator: Peskimo
Year: 2013
Genre: Board Book
Age: 1 – 3
More info: An Abrams Block Book
Plot
Each page in this book is cut into the shape of a letter with chunky pages that are easy to turn. This huge board book is amazing to hold and a definite favorite. It’s also the first in a series featuring countablock, dinoblock, and 12 more!
Why Kirsten loves it
I love how tactial this book is for babies. The illustrations are so beautiful you can proudly display it in your home!
Find this book in: Best Books for 2-year-olds / Alphabet Books
Plot
I love it when books have texture. That added tactile element can make the difference when it comes to engagement for some kids.Â
Why Kirsten loves it
This book is tactile and a feast for the eyes. I think I enjoyed it even more than my kids!
Find this book in: Best Books for 1-year-olds / Alphabet Books
Eating the Alphabet
Author: Lois Ehlert
Illustrator: Lois Ehlert
Year: 1989
Genre: Board Books
Age: 1 – 3
Plot
Getting kids to eat new foods can be challenging. These great pictures have fruit and vegetables from A-Z. And who knows, it might encourage your little one to try something new too.
Why Kirsten loves it
The illustrations of the food are delightful and the end of the book provides a glossary of all the gorgeous illustrations.
Find this book in: Best Books for a 1-Year-Old / Alphabet Books / Kids Food Books
Plot
Who doesn’t love Sandra Boyton? With her signature illustrations, this book goes through a list of animals on A to Z adventures.
Why Kirsten loves it
I will forever for a Sandra Boyton fan. This is the first alphabet book I ever read to my children and it’s one I know I’ll read to my grandkids someday.
Find this book in: Best Books for 1-year-olds / Alphabet Books
Best ABC Books for Babies
ABC Animals!: A Scanimation Picture Book
Author: Rufus Butler Seder
Illustrator: Rufus Butler Seder
Year: 2016
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 4
Plot
Each page of this book has incredible “moving” animals to go along with the alphabet theme. Each letter is accompanied by a moving lenticular making the animals come alive.
Why Jackie loves it
If you have never seen these amazing books, they are perfect alphabet books for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. The moving images completely capture their attention.
Find this book in: Alphabet Books / Best Books for 3-year-olds
ABCs of Kindness
Author: Samantha Berger
Illustrator: Ekaterina Trukhan
Year: 2020
Genre: Board Books
Age: 2 – 5
Plot
This book was inspired by the 365 days of kindness movement and was designed to inspire kindness from a young age.
Why Jackie loves it
I love this adorable story that shares an act of kindness for each letter of the alphabet. From joining hands to making a heart, your toddler can practice each act even at a young age.
Find this book in: Best Books for 2-year-olds / Alphabet Books
Dr. Seuss’s ABC
Author: Dr. Suess
Illustrator: Dr. Suess
Year: 1963
Genre: Classic Picture Book
Age: 1 – 4
Plot
This book is a classic. It is hilarious enough to read over and over!!! Told with his signature illustrations and wacky words, Dr. Suess’s take on the ABCs is sure to delight toddlers everywhere.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a perfect pick in alliteration books for preschool kids. It is just silly enough to keep even the littlest readers engaged.
Find this book in: Alphabet Books / Best Books for 3-year-olds
ABC of Physics ( Baby University)
Author: Chris Ferrie
Illustrator: Chris Ferrie
Year: 2017
Genre: Board Books
Age: 1-4
More info: ABC’s of Science, ABC’s of Mathematics, and ABC’s of Space in the Baby University Series
Plot
From Atom to Zero-point energy, this book is the perfect introduction to physics for the youngest babies. Find a different physics term for every letter of the alphabet.
Why Jackie loves it
This is such a cute way to look at the ABC’s! It is such a unique and fun introduction to the letters of the alphabet.
Find this book in: Alphabet Books
Alphabet Books for Toddlers
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Author: Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault
Illustrator: Lois Ehlert
Year: 1989
Genre: Board Book
Age: 1 – 4
More info: Chicka Chika #1
Plot
Rhyming? check. Letters? check. This classic book checks so many boxes with the added bonus that it is fun to read with your kids. Even the name itself is a perfect example of alliteration in books.
Why Jackie loves it
If you have not picked up yet, it is a must-read for any preschool child and a perfect book to help with reading readiness as well.
Find this book in: Alphabet Books / Rhyming Books / Books for a 1-year-old / Alliteration Books / Classic Books for Kids
Alphabet
Author: Matthew Van Fleet
Illustrator: Matthew Van Fleet
Year: 2008
Genre: Board Book
Age: 1 – 3
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Plot
In this bestselling, tactile book, animals and plants from A to Z demonstrate opposites, action words, and synonyms all while spelling out letters with their bodies and tails.
Why Jackie loves it
This amazing book has everything- plants and animals that begin with each letter, moving parts, and textures. Each page is totally interactive with flaps and pull tabs. There is even a scratch and sniff.
Find this book in: Best Books for 2-year-olds / Alphabet Books
LMNO Peas
Author: Keith Baker
Illustrator: Keith Baker
Year: 2010
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 5
More info: Part of the Peas series
Plot
This delightful book showcases each letter of the alphabet in a story about peas and all the jobs they can have. Told through rhyme, your little one will eagerly hunt for the peas matching the described jobs.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love any book that has a great rhyming scheme but this one is hilarious with adorable illustrations to match. There is so much to look at on each page that you could read this over and over and never get bored.
Find this book in: Alphabet Books / Gender Neutral Baby Books / Food Books for Children / Best Books for 3-year-olds
Plot
Using alliterations to work on letter recognition, this superhero book is in a league of it’s own. It’s funny and informative!
Why Jackie loves it
I have never met any child who didn’t think this book was hilarious. The funny superhero names on each page have kids laughing in this alphabet book.
Find this book in: Alliteration Books / Alphabet Books / Best Books for 4-year-olds
Alphabet Books for Preschoolers
Plot
This is one of the cutest alphabet books in my collection. A little girl is afraid of something at the zoo, but can’t remember what. So her family dresses up as different animals in A-to-Z order to help her overcome her fear.
Why Kirsten loves it
With vivid images depicting homemade animals of every letter, there is so much to see in this fun tale.
Find this book in: Alphabet Books / Best Books for 7-year-olds / Zoo Books
Once Upon an Alphabet
Author: Oliver Jeffers
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Year: 2014
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 6
Plot
Oliver Jeffers is just the most brilliant writer and illustrator. This collection of short stories for each letter is a lovely item for any library and is one of my favorite alphabet books.Â
Why Jackie loves it
With gorgeous illustrations and lovely words, this book is an excellent one to gift to pre-k graduates!
Find this book in: Best Books for 5-year-olds / Alphabet Books
The Most Magnificent Maker’s A to Z
Author: Ashley Spires
Illustrator: Ashley Spires
Year: 2023
Genre: Picture Books
Age: 4 – 8
More info: Part of the Most Magnificent series
Plot
This book teaches maker space vocabulary from A to Z with the beloved characters from the Most Magnificent series.
Why Kirsten loves it
I enjoy this whole series, but this might just be my favorite of the bunch! It’s perfect for word lovers!
Find this book in: Best Books for 4-year-olds / Alphabet Books
Alphamals: A-Z
Author: Graham Carter
Illustrator: Graham Carter
Year: 2017
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 5
Plot
Graham Carter uses his unique illustration style to delight readers with an a to z introduction to the animals of the world.
Why Jackie loves it
From aardvark to zebra, your animal-loving preschooler will love the gorgeous illustrations throughout. The text is delightful and is sure to engage readers of all ages.
Find this book in: Best Books for 4-year-olds / Alphabet Books
Alphabet Books for Kindergarten
Plot
In 15 years, I don’t think I have ever found everything on ANY page in this book. The illustrations are completely amazing, creative, and mesmerizing as well. This is the alphabet book that I can read with all my kids (including my 16-year-old).
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of the best alliteration books I have ever read and the fact that it is also a mystery makes it a wonderful pick for the whole family.
Find this book in: Alliteration Books / Alphabet Books / Animals Books for Kids / Best Books for 5-year-olds
The Dictionary Story
Author: Sam Winston
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Year: 2024
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 8
Plot
Dictionary wants to bring her story to life after being jealous of all the other storybooks on the shelf. As words come to life and travel through the pages, Dictionary is delighted at first but then everything becomes a hairy, tangled mess and she needs to get everything back in order.
Why Kirsten loves it
With rhyming words and fun illustrations, this story is incredibly unique and simply marvelous. It’s a fun story about alligators and moons and ghosts and puddles and alphabets.
Find this book in: Alphabet Books / Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
Author: Joseph Slate
Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
Year: 1996
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 5 – 6
More info: Part of the Miss Bindergarten series
Plot
Using the letters of the alphabet, readers meet each kid in the class as they get ready for school. We also see Miss Bindergarten get ready for school by cleaning, organizing, and decorating her classroom.
Why Jackie loves it
If you are looking for first day of school books for kindergarten, this is a really cute choice.
Find this book in: Best Books for 5-year-olds / First Day of School Books / Alphabet Books
Big Words for Little Geniuses
Author: Susan and James Patterson
Illustrator: Hsinping Pan
Year: 2017
Genre: Nonfiction Picture Books
Age: 2 – 6
More info: Big Words for Little Geniuses #1
Plot
When I came across this book I thought it was, well, genius. It is also fun to read with its huge vocabulary words inside from A-Z. There is also a list of other big words in the back listed alphabetically.
Why Jackie loves it
I love the pictures but, it’s also pretty hilarious to hear a 4-year-old use the word loquacious correctly in a sentence.
Find this book in: Best Books for 5-year-olds / Alphabet Books / Books for Baby Shower
Alligators All Around Board Book
Author: Maurice Sendak
Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
Year: 2017, Original publication in 1962
Genre: Alphabet Book
Age: 4-6
More info: Part of the Nutshell Library, 4 books
Plot
This sweet little book comes with three other books in the Nutshell Library. One book teaches counting, one teaches months of the year, and one story teaches about caring. This sweet book teaches the alphabet and even has a song to go with it.
Why Jackie loves it
I personally love any book that has a song. Every child learns differently. So having more than one modality for a child to learn the letters and sounds is an excellent way to reinforce new skills.
Find this book in: Alphabet Books
Expert Tip
Why are alphabet books so important for reading readiness?
- Learning the letters and the sounds they make is one of the key stages of learning to read.
- English letters are really difficult because the letters do not only make one sound! Think of the letter “C”. It makes a different sound in the word cat than face.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I teach my child to recognize the alphabet?
Repetition is key when you try to teach your child to recognize the letters of the alphabet. And don’t forget, recognizing the letters is not the same as knowing which sound the letters make. If you want more information on this, you can check out our reading readiness post.
Why are alphabet books important?
Alphabet books are important because letters are the building blocks of reading. Even though not every letter makes only one sound, these are the foundation for reading.
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Epilogue
What alphabet books are we missing? Did you find a cute one to add to your home library?
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