36 Must-Read Interactive Books for Preschool Storytime

36 Must Read Interactive Picture Books for Kids

Have you ever wished there was a way to get your kids to pay attention during storytime in your preschool or kindergarten classroom? Your kids will love this collection of interactive picture books that will capture and hold their attention from start to finish.

You can quickly and easily transform your storytime with this list of 36 fun, must-read interactive picture books. Your little learners will be actively engaged and participating in the read-aloud process as they press dots, shake pages and have fun as they learn!

Interactive Books for Preschool

Interactive Books for Preschoolers

If you’re wondering what interactive picture are, you’re in for a real treat! Interactive picture books require the reader to interact with the pages in some way.

This collection of interactive books is an asset to any preschooler’s home or your classroom library. Here are 36 books that invite readers to actively participate.

Press Here Interactive Book for Preschool
Press Here, by Herve Tullet
Each page of this innovative book invites kids to actively participate by pressing the dots, shaking the pages, tilting the book – and more! Young children are enthralled and delighted as the dots on each page grow, multiply, and change direction!

Mix it Up Interactive Book
Mix it Up, by Herve Tullet
If you’re looking for screen-free fun, look no further! This is the perfect book to introduce colors and color mixing to your preschoolers. They’ll have a blast following the simple instructions, and watching as the bold primary colors suddenly appear, mix, and splatter throughout the pages.

Tap the Magic Tree Interactive Book

Tap the Magic Tree

Tap the Magic Tree, by Christie Matheson
A must-read during your fall theme, Tap the Magic Tree follows the changes a tree experiences throughout the seasons. Your little learners will be begging to read this one over and over so they can make the leaves wiggle, jiggle, and swirl across the pages.

Don’t Touch This Book! by Bill Cotter
All young children can relate to being told “Don’t!” at some point or another in their lives. Larry the hilarious monster is back again in this sequel to the ultra popular Don’t Push the Button. Even your most active little learners will stay focused throughout this hilarious story.

Don’t Push the Button, by Bill Cotter
Larry the monster only has one rule – don’t push the button! But rules are meant to be broken, aren’t they? If your little ones have ever been tempted to do something they’ve been told not to, (and who hasn’t?) then reading this book is mandatory for maximum fun and belly laughs.

Plant the Tiny Seed Interactive Book

Best Interactive Books for Preschoolers

Plant the Tiny Seed, by Christie Matheson
Liven up your story time with this delightful picture book that invites the reader to clap, wiggle, and tap the pages to make the seeds grow. The stunning collage and watercolor art will enthrall your kids as the seeds come to life on the pages – perfect for your spring theme!

Touch the Brightest Star, by Christie Matheson
Another fantastic interactive picture book by popular children’s author Christie Matheson, Tough the Brightest Star does not disappoint! This book makes for the perfect bedtime story, or the best before nap read-aloud.

Pet This Book, by Jessica Young
If your little ones love animals, then this is a must-read book – it’s perfect for your pet theme, too! Your kids will have a blast petting the cat, washing the puppy, and brushing the horse’s mane on the pages of this delightful rhyming book.

Play This Book, by Jessica Young
A clever and unique twist on the interactive picture book, Play This Book invites readers to play their imaginary instruments.

Interactive Books for Preschoolers

Preschool Books that Encourage Group Participation

There’s A Dragon in Your Book, by Tom Fletcher
An adorable baby dragon has just hatched on the pages of this book, but when he starts to sneeze – look out! Your kids will adore helping you put out the flames by stamping, blowing, and flapping.

There’s A Monster in Your Book, by Tom Fletcher
This irresistibly charming story will pull your little readers in as they try to tilt, spin, and shake the monster out of bed!

Please Dont Read This Book

Please Don’t Read This Book

Please Don’t Read This Book!, by Deanna Kizis
A laugh-out-loud story that invites readers to break the rules – what more could any preschooler ask for?

Something Stinks, by Jonathan Fenske
What is that smell? This clever story about a skunk trying to locate the most terrible smell will have your kids belly laughing for days! The oblivious skunk invites the reader to respond throughout the story, and hilarity ensues! Your kids will love coming up with stinky scenarios of their own.

Say Zoop Interactive Books

Interactive Children’s Books

Say Zoop! by Herve Tullet

I Say OOH, You Say AAH, by John Kane

I Say Boo, You say Hoo, by John Kane

Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups, by Tadgh Bentley

Tree Interactive Book for Preschool

Preschool Books That Invite the Reader to Look Closely

Home, by Britta Teckentrup

Bee, by Britta Teckentrup
I like to read this one to kick off our insect theme! Your kids will love following the bee from page to page.

Tree, by Britta Teckentrup
My ELL students absolutely adored this book during our study of trees and leaves. They were thoroughly engaged and attentive as they searched for the owl on every page.

Moon, by Britta Teckentrup

Kindness Grows, by Britta Teckentrup

Hi Pizza Man Interactive Book

Best Interactive Picture Books to Read to Preschoolers

Hi, Pizza Man! by Virginia A. Walter
While it may not seem like an interactive picture book at first glance, Hi, Pizza Man! invites the reader to guess who is ringing the doorbell by listening to the clues as you turn the pages. This endearing picture book is a sure hit with any preschool crowd! This is the perfect book to use to introduce your dramatic play pizza shop!

Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas
What young child doesn’t like making faces? Readers of this story are invited to make faces to get rid of unwanted pests.

Stomp, by Uncle Ian Aurora

Bunny Slopes, by Claudia Rueda

Don’t Wake the Dragon, by Bianca Schulze

Who Loves the Dragon? by Bianca Schulze

The Cat Book, by Borando, Silvia

Don’t Wake up the Tiger, by Britta Teckentrup

From Head to Toe

From Head to Toe, by Eric Carle
Perhaps the book that started it all, Eric Carle’s classic From Head to Toe is the quintessential interactive picture book. Readers are invited to make animal movements throughout the book – be sure to spread out when reading so you don’t get kicked by the donkey!

Huff and Puff, by Claudia Rueda
This interactive retelling of the Three Little Pigs story allows the reader to play the part of the big bad wolf. Three interior die-cut holes invite kids to huff, puff, and blow the pigs’ houses down! The kind, surprise ending is also a delightful addition to this engaging story that will leave your little readers asking for more.

Were Going on a Bear Hunt
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen
No story time would be complete without this classic tale of a family’s adventures through delightful landscapes. Full of comedy, suspense, and high drama, this books has enthralled and engaged generations of preschoolers.

The Book with No Pictures, by B. J. Novak

This Book Just Ate My Dog! by Richard Byrne

I Got the Rhythm, by Connie Schofield-Morrison

More Children’s Book Lists

Earth Day Picture Books
Life Cycle Books for Preschool
Spring Books for Preschool
a collage of 3 different books about pets
Valentine Books

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