One of my greatest joys as an educator, mother and reader is seeing the look of utter delight on a child’s face when they read a book on their own for the first time and get lost inside the pages.

It’s my professional everything. 

That’s why I’m always on the hunt for engaging early reader books that appeal to young learners’ interests AND their level of skill development, too. 

When you find a book that has both and match it to the right reader, reading magic happens.

And adults should read them, too. 

Why?

Well, reading these books brings a certain level of delight to our adult reading lives that we cannot get from reading an adult book. These books are light, whimsical and downright delightful.

We gain a deeper appreciation for what is means to be a reader and remember our own bookish joy of reading books like these for the first time. 

But that’s not all.

Reading early reader books helps us better connect with the young readers in our lives and introduce the next generation to books that will help them delight in reading, too. 

Here are ten early reader books I think every adult needs to read. And, if you want to keep reading, you’ll find 90 other of my top children’s literature recommendations here.

Cornbread & Poppy by Matthew Cordell

Cornbread and Poppy are best friends. These mice might be completely different, but they are always there for each other. This book celebrates uniqueness and coming together as a team.

J.D. and the Great Barber Battle by J. Dillard

Eight-year-old J.D. turns a tragic home haircut into a thriving barber business in his delightful book. But when his business rivals the local barber’s, the battle begins.

Geeger the Robot Goes to School by Jarrett Lerner

Geeger is a robot going to human school for the very first time. This book chronicles his delightful robot antics and misunderstandings as he tries to fit into a world without wires, nuts and bolts.

Katie Woo and Friends by Fran Manushkin

Katie Woo, a stylish and sassy schoolgirl, tackles the trials of growing up in this long-standing series of books. The series is relatable, inclusive and focused on the positive.

Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqi

Yasmin Ahmad is a spirited second-grader who’s always on the lookout for those “aha” moments to help her solve life’s little problems. Her creativity and curiosity will delight and inspire.

Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold

Boy and fly meet and begin a beautiful friendship filled with fun and excitement. Readers will enjoy hyperbole, puns, slapstick, and silly drawings throughout each book in the series.

EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken by Sally Warner

Ellray Jakes is a small third grader dealing with big bullies. This book is packed with personalities and situations that most third graders will find in their own classrooms, making it very relatable to readers.

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton

Narwhal and Jelly might not have a lot in common, but they do love waffles, parties and adventuring through the whole wide ocean together. This book kicks off their series of adventures.

Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same by Grace Lin

Ling and Ting are two adorable identical twins who stick together in everything they do. But, just because they look alike doesn’t mean they ARE alike and we find out how in this first book of the series.

The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale

Princess Magnolia (aka The Princess in Black) loves abandoning her dress for her cape as she dashes off to stop the big blue monster from threatening the goats. This is the first book in a series of adventures.

It’s your turn! What early reader books do you think every adult should read?

Share your titles in the comments below!