Circle Time Books

How did circle time go for you today?  Did you share a favorite book with kids?  Circle time activities often include sharing a book.  Are you here because you could use some different circle time books to read to the kids?  Yes?  Ok, let’s get to it.

Circle Time Books

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Choosing Just Right Books for Circle Time

Some books are better for circle time than others.  Here are some things to look for when selecting circle time books.

• Short- keeps the attention of a large group of young students
• Big Bold Pictures- enables all kids to see the illustrations
• Repetitive Text- encourages kids to join in on familiar parts
• Character Voices- allows the reader to change their voice for different characters
• Sections to Act Out- actively engages kids
• Rhythm and Rhyme- draws students into the story
• Class Favorites- ensures to have an instant hit

Great Books to Read at Circle Time

You may be familiar with many of these books.  So, I’m going to share why each one makes such a great choice to read during circle time.

Need a book to get the students excited about a new school year?  Try Sounds Like School Spirit by Meg Fleming.  It’s got a call and response cheer built-in on almost every page.  It’s full of rhythm and fast-paced.  A hit for a first-day read-aloud.

Duck Duck Moose by Mary Sullivan has the same urgency and feel of the story, Chicken Little.⁣ A girl alerts Duck, Duck, and Moose that Goose is missing. Everyone takes off to find goose.⁣ Along the way come some road bumps, scrapes, and stings!⁣ No worries though…Goose turns up just fine.⁣
⁣This is an energetic and lively read perfect for whole group read-alouds.⁣

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0762491841″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Cowhide-And-Seek[/easyazon_link] by Sheri Dillard is written by a preschool teacher.  Who knows what keeps a preschoolers’ attention better than a preschool teacher! It’s full of rhythm of fun and has lots of learning extension opportunities such as counting, positional words, and comparing.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0062110586″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Pete the Cat[/easyazon_link] by Eric Litwin (first four original books)- bold pictures, repetitive text, and lots of rhythm and rhyme

I have lots of literacy activities to do with the Pete the Cat books too.—>Pete the Cat Activities

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0689815816″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]We’re Going on a Bear Hunt[/easyazon_link] by Michael Rosen- students can act out each action, also full of rhythm

And, try these ideas after reading.—->We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Activities

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[easyazon_link identifier=”141697976X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Rhyming Dust Bunnies[/easyazon_link] by Jan Thomas (or other books by her)- filled with rhyme, big bold pictures (perfect for a very big group), and short

Try these puppets to use during circle time.—>Rhyming Dust Bunnies Puppets

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[easyazon_link identifier=”1442407212″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Busy Little Squirrel[/easyazon_link] by Nancy Tafuri- rhythm and rhyme that will remind you a lot of The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle, short, and good rhythm

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[easyazon_link identifier=”078681988X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus[/easyazon_link] by Mo Willems (or another Willems’ pigeon book)- easy to do character voices and encourages kids to join in on parts, short, and big images

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0805047905″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?[/easyazon_link] or [easyazon_link identifier=”1442450703″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Chicka Chicka Boom Boom[/easyazon_link] by Bill Martin, Jr.- generally class favorites, short, and lots of rhythm

I have lots of Brown Bear, Brown Bear activties as well as Chicka Chicka Boom Boom activities too.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Activities

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activites

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0316236535″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Go Away Big Green Monster[/easyazon_link] by Ed Emberley or [easyazon_link identifier=”1419717316″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Tickle Monster[/easyazon_link] by Edouard Manceau- bold pictures, short, and highly engaging

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0545687918″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Frog on a Log[/easyazon_link] by Kes Gray and Jim Field- rhyme, rhyme and more rhyme, bold pictures, and short

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[easyazon_link identifier=”B00QPVYJBE” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Where is the Green Sheep?[/easyazon_link] by Mem Fox- bold pictures, good rhythm, and short

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0545819806″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]If You’re a Robot and You Know It[/easyazon_link] by David Carter- kids can act out each page, bold pictures, encourages kids to join in and sing

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0060245867″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]If You Give a Mouse a Cookie[/easyazon_link] by Laura Numeroff (and others in the series)- usually a class favorite, bold pictures, short, and has a predictable rhythm

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0316145513″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Yankee Doodle [/easyazon_link]by Mary Ann Hoberman (and others in the series)- kids can sing along, silly, and bold pictures

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[easyazon_link identifier=”1492607630″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Don’t Push the Button by Bill Cotter[/easyazon_link]- interactive, bold pictures, and short

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0062274457″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Tap the Magic Tree[/easyazon_link] by Christie Matheson (or the newest [easyazon_link identifier=”0062393391″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Plant the Tiny Seed[/easyazon_link])- simple and bold illustrations, short, and interactive

For more interactive books that are fun for circle time, see my whole list.—>Interactive Books

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0062360140″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]There’s a Giraffe in My Soup[/easyazon_link] by Ross Burach is perfect if you like to speak like a French waiter.  A little boy orders soup and each time the waiter brings it from the kitchen the boy finds an animal in his soup.

Printable Circle Time Book List

Grab the printable circle time read-alouds list by clicking on “click here to get your printable” button below.

Or, choose any familiar favorite book of the class!

Try one of these picks at your next circle time.  I think you will find that the kids will be engaged and pleased with your choice.

Looking for more circle time activities?  Check out 35 Circle Time Songs and Chants to Build Language Skills.

*This post first appeared on Growing Book by Book on 2/14/17 and has been updated.