Transportation Books for Preschool
Books about trucks, cars, and things that go are a favorite for toddlers. I put together a list of my favorite transportation books for preschool, toddlers, and babies!
One of the things that I love about these books is that they make learning fun. Learning vocabulary is a critical stage of reading development. Exposure to language and vocabulary from a young age is so important, and these books make it effortless. Taking the time to read with your child daily can give them what they will need in school when they are older.
These books are not only filled with vehicles for every little transportation lover, but they are filled with humor, rhyming, and repetition, which are all important in language development as well.
The Best Transportation Books for Preschool
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.
The Best Transportation Board Book
Good Night Construction Site- Jump to Section
The Best Transportation Book for Toddlers
Steam Train Dream Train- Jump to Section
The Best Transportation Book for Preschoolers
If I built a Car – Jump to Section
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Transportation Board Books
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
Author: Sherry Dusky Rinker
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Year: 2011
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 7
More info: Part of the Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site series
Plot
Little kids love construction vehicles. The giant, funky-looking machinery never fails to capture their attention. So obviously, there isn’t a better way to start bedtime than with a rhyming construction book about the giant machines going to bed after a long day at work.
Why Kirsten loves it
I’ve read this so many times I can still hear myself whisper-reading “Down on the big construction site, the tough trucks work with all their might…” This is one of my favorite books series to gift to new parents! It’s a modern classic.
Find this book in: Bedtime Stories / Best Books for 3-year-olds / Rhyming Books / Transportation Books for Preschool
Freight Train
Author: Donald Crews
Illustrator: Donald Crews
Year: 1978
Genre: Board Book
Age: 1 – 3
More info: Caldecott Honor Book
Plot
This is another classic book for kids that has both trains and colors. What could be better? The simplicity of this book adds to the fun. If you have a child who can only sit for a very limited time, this book is a perfect choice.
Why Kirsten loves it
With high-contrast images, this story is the perfect introduction to colors for train-loving children. I love this
Find this book in: Color Books / Best Board Books / 1-year-old Books / Classic Kids Books / Transportation Books for Preschool
The Little Engine That Could
Author: Watty Piper
Illustrator: Watty Piper
Year: 1930
Genre: Classic Picture Book
Age: 1 – 4
Plot
Of all the classic books for kids on this page, I guarantee you know this one. Who could forget the little blue engine and his determination to get the toys over the mountain, all while saying “I think I Can, I Think I Can.” It’s such a wonderful moral lesson for everyone.
Why Kirsten loves it
My grandmother loved to read me this story. I can still hear her voice saying “I think I can, I think I can.”
Find this book in: Best Books for 2-year-olds / Classic Books for Kids / Transportation Books for Preschool
Little Blue Truck
Author: Alice Schertle
Illustrator: Jill McElmurray
Year: 2020
Genre: Board Book
Age: 1-3
More info: Part of Little Blue Truck Books (10)
Plot
Little Blue Truck is looked down on by the big trucks until he helps a dump truck get out of the mud – with the help of his barnyard friends.
Why Kirsten loves it
Little Blue Truck is one of the best baby books around! It’s perfect for kids who love farm animals or vehicles because it has both!
Find this book in: Best Books for Baby Shower / Transportation Books for Preschool
Transportation Books for Toddlers
Steam Train, Dream Train
Author: Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Year: 2016
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 6
More info: Steam Train, Dream Train #1
Plot
It’s all about a train, run by animals as they prepare to go to sleep for the night. The pictures are warm and dream-like and the story is just magical.
Why Kirsten loves it
I absolutely adore this bedtime story. There is so much to look at on every page, and the way it zooms out to be a train in a child’s nighttime room is wonderfully imaginative.
Find this book in: Best Books for 4-year-olds / Bedtime Stories / Transportation Books for Preschool
Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
Author: Richard Scary
Illustrator: Richard Scary
Year: 1998 (Originally published in 1974)
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2+
More info: Part of Richard Scary’s Busy World (18 books)
Plot
Children can learn about all the vehicles in this amazingly illustrated book. There are cars, trucks, boats, planes, and even funny, made-up modes of transportation that only Richard Scary could imagine.
Why Kirsten loves it
This book is a classic for a reason. This book has been in print for 50 years! Richard Scary was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Illustrators in 2012. There is so much to talk about with these delightful and detailed illustrations. This is one book I never tired of reding to my kids.
Find this book in: Transportation Books for Toddlers / Best Books for 3-Year-Olds
Sheep in a Jeep
Author: Nancy E. Shaw
Illustrator: Margot Apple
Year: 2016
Genre: Board Books
Age: 1 – 3
Plot
These sheep are driving and get stuck in the mud. The entire story does not rhyme but there are many rhyming words from the same word family. It is funny and perfect for a young reader. Everyone in my family can still recite every word of this one!
This is a perfect book to include in a list of children’s books with alliteration because there are a few examples in this hilarious and silly book.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a perfect book to include in a list of children’s books with alliteration because there are a few examples in this hilarious and silly book.
Find this book in: Alliteration Books / Books for a 1-year-old / Transportation Books for Preschool
Mitchell’s License
Author: Hallie Durand
Illustrator: Tony Fucile
Year: 2011
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 7
Plot
Mitchell drives his daddy like a car to bed every night. Mitchell steers his daddy around the house by tugging on dad’s ears, and he’s a real driving pro.
But one night, Mitchell tries to take a detour to get some “fuel”….at the cookie jar. That’s when the car goes into auto-pilot.
Why Kirsten loves it
I LOVE this story for bedtime with my little guys and I love this for a list of baby boy books. It’s clever and cute and Mitchell’s license photo is adorable. I gave my kids my old licenses to play with after reading this story with them.
Find this book in: Books for a Baby Boys Library / Best Books for 3-year-olds / Bedtime Stories / Transportation Books for Preschool
Hot Rod Hamster: Monster Truck Mania
Author: Cynthia Lord
Illustrator: Derek Anderson
Year: 2014
Genre: Picture Books
Age: 2-5
More info: Hod Rod Hamster (4 books)
Plot
There are four Hod Rod Hamster books, and each is cuter than the next. In this book, Hot Rod and his friends are at the fair and trying to find the best ride. They are looking at the bumper cars, water boats, and more. When Fearless Franco needs someone to drive his monster truck, Hot Rod is happy to help.
Why Jackie loves it
There are so many reasons I love this adorable book. I love the repetition of words. It is so great for reading out loud, for learning to recognize words on a page, and for keeping the attention of little readers.
Find this book in: Transportation Books for Preschool
My Truck is Stuck
Author: Kevin Lewis
Illustrator: Daniel Kirk
Year: 2006
Genre: Board Books
Age: 1-3
More info:
Plot
The truck is stuck. Will anyone be able to get the truck unstuck? There is roaring and beeping from all the vehicles that try and help.
Why Jackie loves it
There are so many things I love about this book. There is not only rhyming and repetition, but also alliteration and counting.
Find this book in: Transportation Books for Preschool
The Wheels on the Bus
Author: Paul O. Zelinsky
Illustrator: Paul O. Zelinsky
Year: 1990
Genre: Novelty Book
Age: 2-5
More info: Moveable Parts
Plot
Everyone knows the song The Wheels on the Bus, but you have not seen it like this! This is the version with moveable parts with doors that open and shut, and people who go bumpety-bump.
Why Jackie loves it
Learning language through books and songs comes together in this classic that is also interactive.
Find this book in: Transportation Books for Preschool
Transportation Books for Preschoolers
If I Built a Car
Author: Chris Van Dusen
Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
Year: 2007
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 6
More info: Part of the IF I Built series
Plot
Jack has decided that his dad’s car is just not up to his standards, so he proceeds to explain to his father all the the items he would put in his dream car – from an instant snack bar to a pool, his car has it all! With Chris Van Dusen’s one-of-a-kind illustrations, this is any vehicle lovers dream book!
Why Jackie loves it
This book will spark your child’s imagination as Jack imagines what his dad’s car could do if it were not so boring and bland. Ask your child what their dream car looks like.
Why Kirsten loves it
One of my absolute all-time favorites, this book has been read so many times that my entire family can recite half the book by heart. It is so creative and funny. Best of all, it is written entirely in rhyme. There are not many books that can top this is on my list of must-have baby books for boys.
Find this book in: Best Books for 5-year-olds / Transportation Books for Preschool
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Author: Mo Willems
Illustrator: Mo Willems
Year: 2003
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2-5
More info: Coldecott Honor Book
Plot
The Bus Driver needs to take a break from driving and warns you not to let the Pigeon drive, no matter how much he begs.
Why Jackie loves it
Mo Willems makes me laugh, and this book is no exception. It is so silly. The best part is that it is interactive- the reader has to choose whether or not to let him drive.
Find this book in: Transportation Books for Preschool
Sink or Swim: Exploring Schools of Fish
Author: Judy Katschke
Year: 2017
Genre: Early Reader
Age: 6 – 8
More info: Magic School Bus Rides Again #1
Plot
The Magic Schoolbus is back with Miss Frizzle and the kids. This early reader looks at an underwater ecosystem and endangered fish in Hawaii.
Why Jackie loves it
There is sure to be an adventure with Miss Frizzle around. This is the first book in the series that reminds me of one of my favorite childhood shows!
Find this book in: Back to School Books / Best Books for 6-year-olds / Books with Magic Schools for Kids / Transportation Books for Preschool
National Geographic Kids: Look & Learn Things That Go
Author: National Geographic Kids
Year: 2014
Genre: Nonfiction Kids
Age: 2-4
More info: Part of the Look and Learn Series (23 Books)
Plot
This is a nonfiction book with bright photographs of different types of transportation. It has cars, trucks, trains, planes, boats and more.
Why Jackie loves it
I have this book as recommended for preschoolers because there is no story. There is information about the different types of transportation and how they work. If you have a kiddo obsessed, this book will have them hooked.
Find this book in: Transportation Books for Preschool
The Circus Ship
Author: Chris Van Dusen
Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
Year: 2009
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 5
Plot
As a circus ship is headed toward Maine, it encounters a storm and begins to sink. The animals who are left to fend for themselves make it to safety and become part of the town. When the horrible owner of the circus comes looking for the animals, he encounters a surprise.
Why Jackie loves it
This book about a sunken circus ship is not only funny, but it is heartwarming as well. Chris Van Dusen is a master of rhyme. The rhyming scheme in this book is fantastic which only adds to the delight of this animal book.
Find this book in: Animal Book for Kids / Rhyming Books / Best Books for 4-year-olds / Transportation Books for Preschool
Transportation Toys
These toys are perfect for any little one who loves transportation. They are both educational and fun.
Expert Tip
There are so many ways to use transportation books for fun and for learning!
- When you are reading to younger babies and toddlers, make sure that you point to what you are reading about. You can also reiterate what was on the page. For example, you could say, “Look at that green truck” while pointing.
- When you are reading with toddlers and older children, you can ask them questions. For example, you can ask them to point to a specific vehicle, or you can point to a vehicle and ask them what it is.
- Remember, there is no WRONG way to read a book. Having fun and making it a special time is the most important thing you can do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are transportation books for preschool, and should I be reading them to my child?
Transportation books are picture books for babies, preschoolers, and toddlers that feature different forms of transportation. Some of them are informative and educational, while others are whimsical and funny. Whichever book you choose to read, they help improve vocabulary and reading readiness.
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Epilogue
Which of these transportation books for toddlers and preschoolers are your favorites?
