Celebrate the joy of reading with these beautifully illustrated picture books for 1st graders. The words are simple with only a few lines on each page. 6-year-olds can try to read on their own. This booklist is also suitable for a read-aloud in first graders’ classrooms. The small stories keep your little one engaged till the end.
Best Picture Books For 1st Graders (6-Year-Olds)

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Here is a great collection of 10 beautifully illustrated 1st grader picture books.
You can find them in your local library or nearby bookstores. If they are unavailable locally, you can click on the links or images below to purchase from Amazon.
The Dot is sure to leave a mark in free-spirited first graders’ minds. Vashti does not want to paint. But her teacher encourages her to express herself in a paper. Angrily she jabs a dot and does not stop. Read this beautiful story about the journey of self-discovery. (Ages 5-9 years)
Creepy Carrots! is a Caldecott Honor-winning picture book. Jasper Rabbit loves carrots and munches them on the way to his school, daily. But one day, the carrots start following him. Read what happens next in this hilarious picture book. The story is not too scary and first graders would find it quite humorous. If your child loves Jasper Rabbit, check out the other popular book of this series – Creepy Pair of Underwear!
The Camping Trip is a sweet story about a child going for her first camping. She finishes her packing as per the list. But being in the wild is a new experience for her. How does she overcome her fears! A book about celebrating new experiences. (Ages 3-7 years)
Tuesday is a Caldecott Medal-winning popular picture book. Look at the whimsically illustrated pictures of what happens on a Tuesday. Floating frog and many more! A wordless book for kids to learn to write stories. (Ages 5-8 years)
Check out other popular books from David Wiesner – Flotsam, Mr. Wuffles!
Duck for President is an entertaining introduction to politics for first-timers. A hard-working duck is running for the president’s office. Ses the duck giving TV interviews, playing saxophone. The hilarious pictures coupled with fun details make it an interesting read. (Ages 4-8 years)
The Cot in the Living Room is a touching narrative of caring about community and neighbors. A girl’s parents keep a cot in the living room for kids whose parents are working nights. The child is jealous that the kids get to have more fun. One day she finally gets a chance to sleep there. A beautiful lesson on empathy. (Ages 4-8 years)
Ten Beautiful Things is a heartfelt story about finding beauty even in difficult situations. Lily is moving to Gran’s home in Iowa. During the long car ride, her gran asks her to find ten beautiful things. Even though initially skeptical, Lily starts finding beauty in small things. And realizes the beauty of relationships. (Ages 5-8 years)
Maurice the Unbeastly is a beautifully illustrated book encouraging readers to be themselves. Maurice’s Beast parents are worried that he is way too polite. So they send him to beats academy to learn to behave badly. Read how Maurice shows others to accept difference. (Ages 3-8 years)
The Floating Field is an education story teaching first graders to find solutions to problems. A group of Thai boys wants a place to play soccer. But there is no open space on this Island built on stilts. So they build a floating soccer field. A wonderful classroom read about ingenuity and teamwork. (Ages 6-11 years)
Firefighters’ Handbook explains to first graders the day-to-day activities of a firefighter and how to train for one. Learn about firefighter trucks, tools, and their helpful nature in this picture book. (Ages 4-8 years)