Books for level 3 readers

Usually kindergarten. Up to 6 words on a page, a line or two, with a picture on every page.

Peabody's level 3 stories, free to read now

23 stories, each one free, read aloud on request and logged in a reading challenge with a tap. The library's own page for this level: level 3 in the library.

From Peabody's kids' book lists

Top 25 books for a kindergartener

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn · ages 3-6. A raccoon's mother kisses his palm so he can feel her love at school. A first-day-of-school standby. Bookshop.org · Amazon
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes · ages 4-7. A mouse who loves her name is teased about it on the first day of school. Reads aloud easily and gives kids language for teasing. Bookshop.org · Amazon
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes · ages 3-7. Wemberly worries about everything, especially the first day of school. Short text with a comforting ending. Bookshop.org · Amazon
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes · ages 4-8. Lilly can't wait to show her purse and acts out when her teacher takes it. Teaches repair after hurting someone's feelings. Bookshop.org · Amazon
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña · ages 4-8. CJ and his grandmother ride a bus across the city to a soup kitchen where they serve. Newbery Medal 2016; talks about finding beauty where you are. Bookshop.org · Amazon

All 25 on the list ▸

Top 20 books for an advanced kindergartener

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel · ages 4-8. Five short stories about an odd-couple friendship: a lost button, a letter, a long wait. Dry, warm humour that works as a read-aloud and as a first book to read alone. Caldecott Honor 1971. Bookshop.org · Amazon
Henry and Mudge: The First Book by Cynthia Rylant · ages 5-8. A lonely boy gets a puppy that grows into a large dog. Short chapters and simple sentences, with a gentle emotional touch. Bookshop.org · Amazon
Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo · ages 5-8. A pig who loves buttered toast saves her family when the bed falls through the floor. Funny chapter-book start with full-colour pictures. Bookshop.org · Amazon
Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea by Cynthia Rylant · ages 5-8. An old man and his cat find company in each other. Quiet, short chapters. Bookshop.org · Amazon
Poppleton by Cynthia Rylant · ages 5-8. A pig moves to a new town and befriends Cherry Sue and Fillmore. Short chapters with warm jokes. Bookshop.org · Amazon

All 20 on the list ▸

The Elephant & Piggie books

Today I Will Fly! by Mo Willems · ages 4-8. Piggie announces she will fly today and Gerald doesn't believe her. The first Elephant & Piggie book (2007), written almost entirely in speech bubbles. Bookshop.org · Amazon
There Is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems · ages 4-8. Gerald is told there are birds on his head and Piggie helps. Geisel Award 2008, with big speech bubbles and a very short word list. Bookshop.org · Amazon
My Friend Is Sad by Mo Willems · ages 4-8. Gerald is sad, so Piggie dresses up as a cowboy, robot and clown. Shows what a good friend does when someone is down. Bookshop.org · Amazon
I Am Invited to a Party! by Mo Willems · ages 4-8. Gerald and Piggie fret over what to wear to a party. Funny and a good way to talk about worrying. Bookshop.org · Amazon
Watch Me Throw the Ball! by Mo Willems · ages 4-8. Piggie says Gerald may not be able to throw a ball, and Gerald tries. A lesson in letting someone else try. Bookshop.org · Amazon

All 24 on the list ▸

Buy links are plain searches with no affiliate tag: nobody is paid when you use them. A library has most of these free: 📚 shows where to borrow each one.

Series at this age

None at this level: the series on Peabody start at about level 7, where chapter books and comics begin. All series in order.

For grown-ups: what level 3 reading looks like, by grade. Is this the right level? Three questions to check.

Checked 30 October 2026 · Lists from Peabody's kids' lists, series from the series pages · Free, no account, nothing you do here leaves this device · v0.4.0