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By William Steig
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
Reviewed by Children’s Book List
Sylvester the donkey finds a magic pebble and unthinkingly wishes himself a rock when frightened by a lion. Although safe from the lion, Sylvester cannot hold the pebble to wish himself into a donkey again.
Rating: 5 *****
A great beginning to discuss what would you wish for if you had a magic pebble and how would you use it.
Age 3 reading list family fear magic
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By Mary Chalmers
Throw a Kiss Harry
Reviewed by Children’s Book List
Wandering away from his mother, Harry the Cat gets stuck in a tree until a fireman comes to his rescue.
Rating: 4 ****
There’s really not that much to this book, but it does show the importance of saying thank you.
Age 3 reading list fear
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By Margaret Wild
The Pocket Dogs
Biff and Buff are two very small dogs who are happy to travel in Mr. Pockets’s pockets, until Biff falls through a hole one day.
Rating: *****
This is an adorable story. You will come to love Biff and Buff.
Age 3 reading list fear
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By Betsy James
Flashlight
Waking up in the dark at Grandpa’s house can be scary–the door in the hallway looks like a cave, and that noise could be a bear. Lucky for Marie, the bear is really Grandpa, who’s come to offer some reassurance and a flashlight that will make the dark house a lot less spooky.
Rating: *****
Everything looks different in the dark, especially when you’re not in your own house. But with family and a creative solution all turns out well.
Age 3 reading list family fear problem solving the dark
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By David Shannon
Duck on a Bike
One day down on the farm, Duck got a wild idea. “I bet I could ride a bike,” he thought. He waddled over to where the boy parked his bike, climbed on and began to ride. At first he rode slowly and he wobbled a lot, but it was fun!
Rating: *****
There is so much that’s great about this book: trying something new, overcoming fear, and even showing individuality. That duck sure is one good role model.
Age 3 reading list effort fear individuality
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By Lynne Jonell
I Need a Snake
Robbie says he wants a snake, but his mother won’t allow a snake in the house. After he and his mother look at snakes, Robbie finds a creative way to get his very own snake and keep his mother happy.
Rating: *****
A comical book that shows overcoming fear and responsibility in a very cleaver way.
Age 3 reading list fear pets
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By Kevin Henkes
Sheila Rae The Brave
A mouse both boastful and fearless, Sheila Rae decides to go home from school by taking a new route.
Rating: ****
Even the bravest of mice can get scared, but with the help of a friend or sister in this case these fears can be conquered.
Age 3 reading list fear friendship
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By Diana Hendry
The Very Noisy Night
Little Mouse keeps Big Mouse awake with his worries about nighttime noises. Big Mouse offers him earmuffs, but the quiet only makes Little Mouse feel lonely. By morning, both mice are sound asleep in Big Mouse’s bed.
Rating: ****
A cute story about night time fears, but not a good ending if you’re trying to teach your child independence.
Age 3 reading list fear
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By Wilhelmina Harper
The Gunniwolf
A classic-beloved by readers, storytellers, and teachers. Unavailable for years, it is back with new illustrations by Barbara Upton. Its vibrant, rhythmic read-aloud text-sprinkled with dialect-tells the story of Little Girl, who is forbidden to enter the jungle for fear of meeting the Gunniwolf.
Rating: ****
This book has a great song that my preschooler is still singing. The only controversy is the broken English, which may be seen as offensive.
Age 3 reading list fear
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By Valeri Gorbachev
Chicken Chickens
On their first visit to a playground, two little chickens are afraid to play until a beaver helps them go down the slide.
Rating: *****
A lot of children are afraid of trying new things. This book shows how friendship and trust in others can help overcome those fears.
fear friendship teamwork trust