List of Best Montessori Books for 3 Year Olds

This is a continuation of my Montessori book recommendations. You can check out the books I recommended for infants up to 12 months old, for 1 year olds, and for 2 year olds in my previous posts.

Note that these books can also be read to children in succeeding years, and the recommended ages are for when the books can be introduced, not for their independent reading but for understanding concepts which could be helpful in their day-to-day.

Montessori-Aligned Books for 3+ Year Olds

1. Jack Goes to Montessori School by Allyson Collins & Lindsey R. Smith

This book follows a young boy on his day at school featuring the different activities and the values upheld in a Montessori classroom. It prepares the child who is entering a new Montessori environment and promotes an appreciation for learning and the Montessori philosophy.

2. Starting School by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

Though this doesn’t describe a Montessori classroom, it shows an idea of what a day in a preschool could look like, with different activities and common situations in a regular day at school. It also ends as the holiday break begins.

3. All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

This book by Alexandra Penfold celebrates diversity and promotes cultural awareness through colorful illustrations and simple text. It teaches children the importance of inclusivity and respect for others. It encourages children to appreciate and respect different backgrounds and traditions, promoting cultural diversity and an understanding of different cultures.

4. The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee

This book teaches children about emotions and how to manage them in a healthy way. It promotes emotional intelligence and social-emotional learning.

5. Apple Fractions by Jerry Pallotta

This book teaches children about fractions through apples. Children will also learn the different kinds of apples such as Golden and Red Delicious, Granny Smiths, Cortlands, and even Asian Pears. It promotes cognitive development and numeracy skills.

6. Me On the Map by Joan Sweeney

With simple text and illustrations, this book features different maps (from the map of your room to the map of the world) and where one is. It’s a great book for introducing geography and their place in the world.

7. In My Heart by Jo Witek

Helps children understand and express their emotions. It shows how to identify and manage them, promoting emotional intelligence and social-emotional learning.

9. The Dot by Peter Reynolds

With its simple illustrations and texts, this book encourages children to express their creativity and imagination. It promotes the growth mindset and self-expression.

10. Hello Autumn! by Shelley Rotner

Teaches children about the changing seasons and promotes an appreciation for nature. It is designed to encourage children to explore their environment and develop an appreciation for the natural world. There are also other books in the series: Hello Summer! Hello, Spring! Hello Winter!

11. The Listening Walk by Paul Showers

Encourages children to explore their environment and to learn about the world around them through their senses (hearing, in particular) and promotes curiosity and exploration.

12. Colors of Us by Karen Katz

This book celebrates diversity and promotes cultural awareness through colorful illustrations and simple text. It encourages children to appreciate and respect different people with different skin colors.

13. Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell

This book features a young girl who learns to embrace her unique qualities and stand up to bullies. It promotes social-emotional learning and self-confidence.

16. Enemy Pie by Derek Munson

This book by Derek Munson features a young boy who learns to befriend his enemy through a special recipe. It promotes peace making and proper communication during conflict.

17. Our Peaceful Classroom by Aline Wolf

This book showcases different drawings of students all over the world and features values in a Montessori classroom. It is a great for preparing the child entering the new Montessori environment.

18. The Recess Queen by Alexis O’neill

The Recess Queen teaches children about bullying and promotes social-emotional learning and empathy. It encourages children to develop social skills and understand the importance of kindness and respect.

19. The Dog Poop Initiative by Kirk Weisler

This book by Kirk Weisler teaches children about the importance of taking responsibility for their actions and promoting environmental sustainability. It encourages children to develop a sense of responsibility and respect for their environment.

20. I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde

Helps children understand the importance of kindness and respect to own self. This encourages the child to be empathetic to others as well.

21. Animal Tracks by Arthur Dorros and Bruce Degen

This book by Arthur Dorros and Bruce Degen teaches children about different animal tracks (differing in sizes and shapes) and promotes curiosity and appreciation of nature. It encourages children to learn about the natural world through observation and exploration.

22. The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

Features a young girl who learns to persevere and overcome obstacles. It promotes resilience, determination, and having the growth mindset.

23. Understand and Care by Cheri J. Meiners

This book by Cheri J. Meiners, Ph.D. teaches children about empathy and promotes social-emotional learning and compassion. It encourages children to develop social skills and understand the importance of kindness and helping others the way we sought to be helped.

24. A Chair For My Mother by Vera B. Williams

Tells a story about a family’s journey to save money to buy a new chair, after experiencing a tragic fire accident. It promotes practical life skills and financial literacy.

25. Personal Space Camp by Julia Cook and Carrie Hartman

This book is about respecting personal spaces. This promotes social skills and respect for others. It encourages children to understand the importance of boundaries.

26. A House is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman

Celebrates the idea that everything has a place and promotes an appreciation for the different structures and homes that exist (even for animals). With its rhyming composition, the child can learn in a fun way the name of the different homes of different things and living beings. It encourages children to develop an appreciation for the world around them.

27. Come Over to My House by Theo LeSieg

This book by Theo LeSieg (Dr. Seuss) features a poetic invitation over different houses of people from different places all over the world. It has simple illustrations that match the poem so well that gives the idea of what kind of house is being described.

28. Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak Ph.D.

This book by JoAnn Deak, Ph.D. teaches children about the concept of a growth mindset and promotes self-confidence and resilience. It encourages children to develop a positive attitude towards learning and growth.

29. The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

This book by Matt de la Pena features a young boy who learns to appreciate the beauty in his surroundings, (particularly in an urban setting) and the people he encounters. It promotes an appreciation for diversity and an understanding that there are different lives and situations among people in the world, and they are all interconnected.

30. Baby University Board Book Set by Chris Ferrie

This set of board books introduces complicated concepts in different sciences such as quantum physics, general relativity, and more to young children in a simple way.

31. Mini Masters Book Set by Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober

With this board book set, young children are introduced to famous artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, and others. It promotes creativity and an appreciation for the arts, even from a young age.

32. Little Kids First Big Book Collector’s Set by National Geographic Kids

With realistic illustrations and simple informative text a variety of topics such as animals, space, and more through simple language and illustrations. It promotes cognitive development and encourages children to explore and learn about the world around them.

Conclusion

These books encourage acceptance and social skills, self-expression, perseverance, overcoming obstacles, self-confidence, friendship, and appreciation for the world around us and the people in our lives. By promoting an appreciation for diversity and cultural awareness, these books foster a sense of empathy and kindness in preschoolers.

They also help children to develop practical life skills and financial literacy, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These books encourage children to explore and learn about the world around them through observation and exploration, promoting curiosity and imagination.

Board books, famous artists, animals, space, seasons, geography, emotions, bullying, conflict resolution, and learning are just a few of the topics covered in this collection of educational books that are perfect for young children.

I will continue to add more to the list. Browse through my other book recommendations for infants, 1 year olds, and 2 year olds.