Dr. Seuss Stories for Preschoolers

Dr. Seuss’ birthday is on March 2 and that’s also Read Across America day. A lot of schools and libraries read Seuss stories on this day, but they can be too long for preschoolers. Nonetheless, preschooler want to get in on the fun! Fortunately a lot of Dr. Seuss’ stories have been modified over the years into shorter, more preschooler accessible formats and many of his popular characters have their own spin-off books too (although not written by Dr. Seuss). Here are some Dr. Seuss stories suggestions for preschoolers:

10 Dr. Seuss Stories:

1. The Cat in the Hat’s Great Big Flap Book by Dr. Seuss–

The Cat in the Hat is probably Dr. Seuss’ most famous book. Kids love it, but it is a really long story. For those of you with preschoolers who can’t sit through the story, try this lift-the-flap book that not only features parts of The Cat in the Hat, but also There’s a Wocket in My Pocket, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, Dr. Seuss’ ABC, and Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You. This book is huge and has tons of flaps that should hold little ones’ attentions. This book doesn’t have a story, but there is lots of stuff to read when you open the flaps. There’s counting, animal sounds, colors, silly Seuss creatures, alphabet letters, and rhymes!

2. Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? by Dr. Seuss —

Whether you read the board book or the hardback edition, this story is great for preschoolers! It is full of sounds that will have kiddos engaged, giggling, and even making up some of their own! This is one my storytime favorites because they kids have so much fun repeating Mr. Brown’s sounds with me 🙂

3. Cooking with the Cat by Bonnie Worth–

While not written by Dr. Seuss, this book does feature one of his most famous characters, the Cat in the Hat! Featuring rhymes and plenty of silliness, this short book features the Cat in the Hat cooking up some of his favorite cupcakes. The cat arrives, cookbook and egg beater in hand, to cook with the kids. Readers will see the steps involved with making cupcakes, and enjoy the Cat’s antics.

4. Dr. Seuss’ Spring Things —

Thing 1 and Things 2 from Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat have a spin-off board book series. Each book features a very short rhyming story, bright pictures, and holiday/seasonal images. In this spring book, Thing 1 and Thing 2 explore the outdoors and find ducklings, baby chicks, frogs, a spring rain storm, flowers, muddy puddles, and more! Ask your child what their favorite spring thing is! Also, check your library for more Thing 1 and Thing 2 adventures.

6. The Grinch’s Great Big Flap Book by Dr. Seuss–

My kiddo loves lift-the-flap books! Being able to interact with the book, whether its a touch-and-feel or lift-the-flap, makes reading extra fun for little ones. This book tells the story of the Grinch, a Christmas-hating meanie, who tries to keep Christmas from coming to Whoville. The Grinch learns that Christmas isn’t about presents or a big feast for dinner, but about family, togetherness, and love. With this new revelation, the Grinch’s heart grows! He embraces the Christmas spirit and returns everything he stole. The citizens of Whoville welcome the Grinch to spend Christmas with them in this sweet ending. This is a long story, but being able to lift-the-flaps really kept my son’s attention throughout the book. He was excited to see what pictures were underneath the flaps! This book is large and has tons of flaps that should hold little ones’ attentions. We also own Green Eggs and Ham Great Big Flap Book, which my son really likes too!

7. 10 Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss —

In this funny, rhyming book, a lion, a tiger, and a dog compete to see who can stack apples on their head and do tricks without the apples falling! While they keep trying to outdo each other, the animals inadvertently find themselves in a bear’s home. The bear is not happy with their shenanigans and chases them out. The animals run into more bears and more trouble. The bears chase the animals (who still have apples still stacked on their heads) into an apple cart! Now everyone has 10 apples up on top! Your child will laugh at this silly story and enjoy the animals’ crazy escapades. Plus, this books offers a fun way to incorporate counting!

8. Green Eggs and Ham: a magnetic play book by Dr. Seuss–

This is a shortened version of the original Green Eggs and Ham and it includes magnets that allow little ones to play along with the story! I love that kids can use the magnets to make up their own stories and use their imaginations ! Now you get to enjoy Seuss rhymes and Sam I Am’s antics without having to sit through a long story — what a great way for preschoolers to be introduced to Dr. Seuss stories.

9. Dr. Seuss’ ABC by Dr. Seuss–

This is a wacky alphabet book filled with all sorts of silly words that will have your preschooler giggling. Looking for a way to make learning the alphabet fun, then this book is great choice. Preschoolers will be calling out the alphabet letters on each page and laughing at the zany pictures. Using both real and made up words, this alphabet book does a great job with the letter’s phonetic sounds.

10. Dr. Seuss’ 1 2 3 —

While not written by Dr. Seuss (this book created by his estate), it uses his silly, made-up creatures to illustrate a rhyming book that makes counting lots of fun! My son enjoys guessing what combinations of real animals make up the crazy ones in the book.

If you want free Seuss printables, craft ideas, and games, visit Seussville.com and PBSkids.org.

Check your library for these and other fun Dr. Seuss stories for preschoolers. I’ve also included links to purchase these titles on Amazon. To help cover the costs of this site, I joined Amazon’s Affiliate program. If you buy a book through one of my links, then I get a small percentage of the sale (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support! Happy Reading 🙂