Must-read Books for Student of Pre-Primary and Primary Classes

Must-read Books for Student of Pre-Primary and Primary Classes

As a student, reading is probably one of the most fun and exciting hobbies one can have. The variety is truly endless, and a book is something you can carry almost everywhere, even on your phone or tablet. Stories make up a big and rich part of childhood, and encouraging children to read early on is the way to go.

Taking the time regularly for both yourself and your child to delve into a good story is a must to set the ball rolling for future reading activities. If you are looking to help your child start reading by themselves, we have a list of books that every child in pre-primary and primary classes will enjoy and take a genuine interest in.


How I Taught my Grandmother to Read by Sudha Murthy


An incredible storyteller, Sudha Murthy’s collections always provide a nostalgic touch to the reading experience. Her simple yet descriptive language and style of writing is perfect for young students to begin with, and even experienced readers find her work highly enjoyable.

A collection of short tales, How I Taught my Grandmother to Read provides a number of semi-autobiographical tales on learning, self-discovery, family bonding and the value of friendship.


The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle


A beloved children’s classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has captured the hearts of young readers and their parents alike for over 50 years now. First published in 1970, this book is an incredible collaboration of beautiful, colourful illustrations and an educational story, all in an easy-to-understand format.

The main learning takeaway from this story is that of counting and numbers, which pre-primary children particularly enjoy. The creative use of cutouts and drawings make this an interactive tale, giving the reader space to think and feel for themselves.


The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter


Truly one of the best classics of all time, Peter Rabbit has entertained generations of children, their parents and grandparents. It was, incredibly, published in 1902 by Beatrix Potter who has both written and illustrated the story by hand. Originally in watercolour, the storybook has seen many modern iterations since.

The story revolves around a mischievous Peter Rabbit who does precisely what his parents tell him not to do. After getting in trouble, his parents come to help him and he learns a valuable lesson. This teaches children to listen to their parents and avoid getting in harm’s way simply out of disobedience. The artwork is particularly captivating, and this book is definitely worth a read.


The Secret of the Rainbow Phoenix by Aditi De


A wonderful story combining Indian mythology and adventure, this fantasy novel is sure to keep children hooked. The mythical Rainbow Phoenix, of course, is one of the main parts of this story and is described as a legendary bird with great magical powers.

This story traces the journey of a group of children and how they deal with courage, teamwork and friendship to fight their way through to the end. Aditi De has done an excellent job of portraying these characters in a realistic way. It also gives children insight into the cultural heritage of India, and opens the door to more imagination and creativity.


Malgudi Days by R. K. Narayan


Definitely, Malgudi Days does not require any introduction. Much-loved by school children across generations, R. K. Narayan’s witty telling of the tales of various characters set in the fictional town of Malgudi is incredibly captivating.

These 32 short stories allow children to get a peak into a different kind of India- before independence, when life was so different as compared to what it is today. FIlled with funny stories and clever dialogues, this is some of R. K. Narayan’s best work and certainly something that every child should have a go at reading.


Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl


Roal Dahl is well-known for his children’s stories, each containing different, vivid characters as well as crazy and hilarious storylines. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one such well-known novel of his, centred around a little boy, Charlie, who discovers the magic of chocolatier Willy Wonka.

From bizarre inventions to catchy songs, this story has also been made into two separate films, so watching them after finishing the novel would be wonderful- seeing the characters from the book alive is always a delight!

These titles have been adored by young readers and have much to offer in terms of learning, entertainment and development of reading skills. However, remember that is just the beginning- let your child be exposed to even more genres and stories, and they will definitely reach for a variety of tales at every opportunity. Nothing can replace reading for a child’s development, and what better place to start than some of the classics?