Books open up a world of imagination for children. Reading for nursery class pupils is about exploring shapes, colours, sounds, and feelings rather than merely acquiring words. This list is for you whether you are a teacher or a parent wondering what goes on your nursery bookcase. We’ve rounded up the best books for nursery class students that are simple, engaging, and age-appropriate.
Story books for nursery class children and concept books designed to develop early learning abilities including numbers, alphabet, animals, and daily routines are included here below.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? written by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle.
Kids love this popular picture book for a reason. Writing flows effortlessly, making it easy for kids to follow and engage. A captivating book about animals and colours enables toddlers to learn new words.
If you’re starting to build a list of books for nursery class in India, this one deserves a place at the top.
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Particularly for kids attending nurseries, lift-the-flap books never grow old. As children find creatures one by one, Dear Zoo stimulates their curiosity. As kids explore different animals and their characteristics, they are enthralled by the simple plot and striking details on every page.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
This book is a lovely way to teach kids about the weeks, counting, good eating, and even the idea of change. Bright graphics and cut-outs are ideal for developing minds and inquisitive hands.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
This soft, calming book is perfect if you’re looking for nursery school storybooks that support night time routines. After a long day, children can relax with its soothing beat. Children’s observation abilities are improved as a result of the images’ invitation to identify familiar objects.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Not all alphabet books can hold a child’s attention. Guess what…this one really does. It’s a success at read-aloud time because of its upbeat rhythm and the unusual story of letters climbing a coconut tree. Children laugh, repeat the sentences, and begin recognising letters without even realising they are learning.
Gajapati Kulapati by Ashok Rajagopalan
Read this book to a bunch of toddlers, and you’ll probably hear them all shout “Aaaachooo!” together. Gajapati Kulapati is a fun, easy story about a sweet elephant that kids instantly love. It uses sound play and repeat in a way that kids love. It’s a good choice for starting to tell stories with Indian characters and places. This is considered to be one of the best story books for nursery class
Where Is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox
Kids will enjoy this easy adventure as they try to find the elusive green sheep. There are fast sheep, slow sheep, near sheep, and far sheep. Through fun repetition and interesting pictures, it’s a great way to build language and help young readers understand basic ideas.
Peppa Pig: My First ABC (or any familiar character book)
A child may be interested in reading just because they encounter a familiar face. Alphabet books with familiar faces like Dora, Chhota Bheem, or Peppa make reading more fun for young kids. It feels more like playtime with a friend than a lesson.
Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews
This book introduces counting and creativity in a unique way. It asks, what can you make with ten black dots? The pictures make kids think about more than just numbers and see what’s creatively possible.
Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton
Sound recognition and word play begin early. This book uses animal sounds and a touch of silliness to make reading a delight. It’s short, repetitive, and fun — perfect for building early language skills.
Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi
This one helps kids learn social and mental skills in a gentle way. Kids learn how to use their hands well, like to hug, help, and play, not to hurt. This kind of book can help preschoolers learn how to behave in real life.
Haathi Bhai (Available in Indian regional languages)
Books for nursery class in India are even more meaningful when they reflect local language and culture. Titles like Haathi Bhai, written in Hindi and other regional languages, can help children connect better with the story. Plus, they support bilingual learning right from the start.
I Spy Little Books (series by Jean Marzollo and Walter Wick)
These picture puzzles introduce observation skills and visual discrimination. They’re interactive, fun, and give children a chance to ‘play’ with books. A great addition to your nursery library, especially during quiet time.
Whose Toes are Those? by Jabari Asim
Toddlers love identifying parts of their body — and this book turns it into a game. They laugh, think, and connect with the story on a deep level. It’s great for helping children learn about their bodies and learn new words.
Books that have textures or things you can touch
Using a variety of senses helps nursery pupils learn the most. Children learn more deeply from books that let them experience various textures, such as a bumpy turtle shell or a fuzzy duckling. Popular options include That’s Not My Puppy and Baby Touch series.
Quick Tips While Choosing Best Books for Nursery Class
- Choose books with clear, bold illustrations
- Repetitive phrases make it easier for children to remember
- Books with questions or sounds encourage interaction
- Select books made of sturdy materials — board books or cloth books last longer
- Include both Indian and international titles to give children a wider view of the world
Has anyone else noticed that your kid keeps going back to the same book? That’s how they generally show you what they love. It could be a funny silly story one day and a calm bedtime story the next. Always have a few books on hand but change them up every so often. A few new books every two weeks can keep things interesting.
You don’t need a giant library to get started. Just 5 to 7 carefully chosen books in a basket are enough. Let your child choose what they’d like to read — that little bit of independence can go a long way in building a love for reading.
Reading together, even for 10 minutes every day, produces lasting memories. The delight of telling stories is more important than the number of books read.
Discover a preschool where books seamlessly integrate into daily learning experiences…
Kangaroo Kids students learn naturally via tales, music, and hands-on activities. Book use in the school helps youngsters develop language, confidence, and imagination early on. Visit www.kangarookids.in to explore how we make early learning imaginative!
