34 Best Letter S Books for Preschool and Kindergarten

Best letter S books for preschool and kindergarten books arranged in columns featuring books about snow, the sea, seeds, stories, soldiers, sick days and snails with a purple bubble letter S, watercolor painted snowflakes and a big black spider.

Best Letter S Books for Preschool and Kindergarten Booklist. This alphabet booklist is a part of the series Sprinkled with Stories: Teaching the Alphabet Through Stories. It can be daunting to think about teaching your young ones their letters. Relax 🙂 Kids learn so much through play and stories. There is no need to drill flashcards every day. Although flashcards do have a purpose, especially in play. Simply grab one or two living books from the Letter S Books for Preschool booklist and began to introduce the letters and the sounds during story time and play time. Grab some letter blocks or letter puzzles for play with after story time.

Don’t Miss the Letter R Booklist

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34 Best Letter S Books for Preschool and Kindergarten: Teaching the Alphabet Through Stories

S is for Seed.

1. The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

A bright red-orange flower with a thick green stem and two leaves fill the front of the book "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle, a book on the book list of childrens books on plants. — The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

Seeds are carried by a strong wind across various terrains. In the spring, the tiny seed remains and grows into a gigantic flower. In autumn, the process starts over and sends the seeds flying high in the air across the land. This is the perfect informational book for an Eric Carle fan.

2. Miss Maple’s Seeds by Eliza Wheeler

Miss maple holds tight to a stem of a flower as she floats through the air on the book cover of "Miss Maple's seeds," a book on the booklist of childrens books on plants. — Miss Maple’s Seeds by Eliza Wheeler

Celebrate the miracles of each seed with kind-hearted and nurturing Miss Maple. This story will capture the child’s imagination as Miss Maple cares for seeds until it is their time to take root and become beautiful creations. Oh, this beautiful story is another one of our favorite books. Eliza Wheeler is the author of my favorite Children’s book, “Home in the Woods.”

More Garden Books {HERE}

S is for Ski.

3. Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen

A man and his dog are skiing down a snowy mountain. — Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen

Mr. Magee and his dog, Dee, learn how to ski one beautiful, snowy morning, but a curious Moose causes some problems, and Mr. Magee finds himself hanging over a cliff. Chris Van Dusen writes plenty of good books, but this one is perfect for a snow day!

4. Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda

A white snow bunny skis down a snowy hill with big snowflakes, falling from the sky on the book cover of "Bunny Slopes," a book about snow for toddlers. — Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda

This interactive book will make you giggle as you help the little snow bunny ski down the hill. The bunny in this silly story takes a few tumbles and needs the reader’s help to avoid obstacles and a cliff. Interactive picture books are a fun way to keep young readers engaged.

S is for Solider.

5. The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Cynthia Rylant

A beautiful ballerina and a toy solider with one leg stare at each other across the book cover of the retelling of the fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," a book on the Best February Picture Books for Kids booklist. — The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Cynthia Rylant

A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale about a tin soldier who falls for a ballerina. The tin soldier is not like his troop, he only has one leg and he admires the beautiful spinning ballerina from afar. A toy goblin notes their growing love and pushes him out the window. But his journey brings him full circle and the vengeful toy goblin returns, seeking to cause more mischief. Spoiler alert: it does have a happy ending without all the sappiness

S is for Sick.

6. Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson

Bear's woodland friends wrap him a warm quilted blanket and help him feel better while he rests in his lair on the book cover of "Bear feels sick," a book about compassion for kids. — Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson

Sick Bear cannot come out and play with his friends. Rather than continuing to play, his woodland animal friends care for him, nursing him back to health. But his friends catch his cold, and sweet Bear returns the care he was provided. Young children will love Karma Wilson’s Bear books

7. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead

A sick elephant is comforted by his friends and a red balloon in a stripped green room on the book cover of " A sick day for Amos McGee," a book about compassion for kids. — A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead

Amos is a zoo keeper who keeps a strict daily routine, but a sick day keeps him home and away from his best friends. His concerned, compassionate, and caring animal friends give their elderly companion an unexpected visit.

S is for Spider.

8. The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani

An orange cat watches a black spider spin a web on the front porch on the children's book "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" by Iza Trapani, a book on the best letter I books for preschool and kindergarten booklist. — The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani

This fun picture book starts with the classic nursery rhyme of itsy bitsy spider but then the author adds her creative spin with the beloved spider encountering a fan, a mouse, a rocking chair, a cat, and a big maple tree. The vibrant illustrations are delightful.

9. The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

A colorful spider sits on a giant spider web on the classic Children's book by Eric Carle "The Very Busy Spider," a book on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. — The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

This beloved book is about a busy spider who spins her web on a fence post. The animals come by and attempt to distract her from her work, but she keeps spinning. The book is filled with classic illustrations by Eric Carle and fun, rhythmic text.

S is for Sunflowers.

10. Katie and the Sunflowers by James Mayhew

A little girl named Katie admires the yellow bouquet of brightly painted sunflowers on the picture book cover "Katie and the Sunflowers," a book on the Best July Picture Books for Kids Booklist. — Katie and the Sunflowers by James Mayhew

Picture Books are a fun way to introduce young children to famous painters. This great book is about Katie’s experience of five paintings by Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Cezanne coming to life at an art museum.

11. Sunflower House by Eve Bunting

A young boy reaches up to grab a big golden sunflower on the picture book cover "Sunflower House" by Eve Bunting, a picture book featured on the best letter S books for preschool and kindergarten booklist. — Sunflower House by Eve Bunting

In this fun picture book, a family sows a circle of sunflower seeds that blossom into a house, where a boy spends his entire summer playing with his friends. Content Warning: “gosh.”

S is for Six.

12. Six Dinner Sid by Inga Moore

A black cat named Sid rests on the edge of a wall with six colorful bowls stacked in a tower on the beloved picture book cover "Six-Dinner Sid" by Inga Moore, a book on the Best October Picture Books for Kids booklist. — Six Dinner Sid by Inga Moore

This is a silly book about a sly black cat named Sid, who lives at six different houses on Aristotle Street to secure six dinners every night. The job is hard with multiple feline personalities until he is discovered when he gets a cold and is taken to the vet six different times.

S is for Seven.

13. The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman

A large family enjoys their meal around a wooden table on the book cover of "The Seven Silly Eaters." — The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman

This little picture book is about seven children with picky and silly eating habits and a sweet mom who embraces her silly eaters. Maybe I love this one so much because I understand the struggle with picky eaters. But this silly story always brings up the conversation about taking thankful bites and being grateful for the food on the table.

S is for Squirrel.

14. The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter

A frisky brown squirrel dances on the classic children's book "The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin" by Beatrix Potter, a book on the best fall books for kids booklist. — The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter

Nutkin and his fellow squirrels travel to Owl Island to gather nuts. Nutkin is a naughty squirrel full of mischief and begins to taunt Old Brown, the island’s guardian. Old Brown reaches his limit with Nutkin’s behavior and teaches the squirrel a hard lesson.

15. The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri

A gray squirrel leaps onto a tiny tree branch loaded with red ripe delicious apples on the book cover of "The Busy Little Squirrel" by Nancy Tafuri, a book on Fall books for kids booklist. — The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri

The little gray squirrel needs to get ready for winter. He is too busy to nibble with the mice and hop with the frogs. He has to hurry because the leaves are falling.

S is for the Sea.

16. Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry

A retired old sailor and a young African-American girl, wearing black glasses, are sitting in a boat pushed onto the beach on the book cover of "Swashby and the Sea" by Beth Ferry, a book on the ocean books for kids booklist. — Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry

A retired sailor settles at his home near the sea, loving the silence and solitude. But, his solitude is interrupted by his two neighbors, a young girl and her grandmother. Swashby tries to ignore this delightful new friend but the sea brings them together.

17. Sea Story: Bramble Hedge by Jill Barklem

A group of mice from brambly hedge gather together to set sail down the river on the beloved pictrue book "Sea Story" by Jill Barklem, a children's book featured on the best letter S books for preschool and kindergarten booklist. — Sea Story: Bramble Hedge by Jill Barklem

This delightful picture book is about a little crew from Brambly Hedge setting sail downstream towards the sea for an important mission. This picture book is a little longer.

More Ocean Books {HERE}

S is for Soup.

18. Soup Day by Melissa Iwai

A young girl smiles as she smells her fresh steaming soup on the book cover of "Soup Day," a book on the picture books about food and story book list. — Soup Day by Melissa Iwai

In this story, a young girl and her mom make nutritious vegetable soup for dinner. First, the go shopping for the ingredients. Then, it’s time to chop the fresh vegetables and cook the soup. As the soup simmers, they read, play, and build together. Once her dad is home, it’s time to clean up and sit down as a family and enjoy the soup together.

19. Stone Soup by Marcia Brown

Two soilders dressed in black and red dance around a steaming soup pot on the book cover of "The Stone Soup," an old childrens book. — Stone Soup by Marcia Brown

Three hungry soldiers travel through a French village. The people see the soldiers coming and quickly begin to hide their food. But all they need are three stones to make a delicious soup. The old tale is packed with wit and humor as the village people make various offerings to the stone soup.

20. Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

A small red book with a green outline of a tomato. — Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

This simple picture book is a great way to introduce young ones to gardening and where our food comes from. From gathering the essential tools, planting seeds, weeding, harvesting, washing, chopping, and cooking, young readers will learn all it takes to make a yummy garden vegetable soup. Budding chefs and gardeners will find this a great book on this list of picture books about cooking.

More Food and Story Books {HERE}

S is for Scarecrow.

21. The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry

A happy scarecrow donned in a orange and red flannel shirt, overalls, and straw hat smiles at a tiny crow, resting on his outstretched arm on the book cover of "The Scarecrow" by Beth Ferry, a book about compassion for kids. — The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry

Make sure to have a tissue. This one gets me every time. “Scarecrow stands alone and scares…” He has no place to go and no friends. Everyone remains outside of the fence; until one day, a baby crow falls from his nest. Scarecrow does the most unlikely thing, and a relationship is born. I cannot tell you more without spoiling this sweet story of friendship.

22. Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant

An old humble scarecrow with borrowed clothes and tin pie pan hands stands tall in the field on the children's picture book cover "Scarecrow" by Cynthia Rylant, a book featured on the best fall books for kids booklist. — Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant

This is a sweet story of the humble life of a scarecrow. The descriptive text is calming as the reader experiences the scenes of fall through the scarecrow’s perspective.

23. Hopefully the Scarecrow by Michelle Houts

A happy scarecrow stands proud on a blue sunny day with a little girl reading a book in the garden to the Scarecrow on the children's book "Hopefully, the Scarecrow," a book on the Best September Picture Books for Kids booklist. — Hopefully the Scarecrow by Michelle Houts

This sweet story is about a beautiful friendship between a smiling scarecrow and a little girl. The little girl reads to him all day, and when the tomato stalks dry up and the birds fly south, she stores him in the shed for next spring. Their friendship continues to grow until one spring, she doesn’t return to read to him. He tries to stay brave, remembering the stories they have shared. I won’t spoil the ending, but it’s a happy one! Young readers will love the lush and vibrant illustrations and simple text.

More Fall Books {HERE}

S is for Shark.

24. The Shark Lady by Jess Keating

Eugenie Clark dives with a shark on the cover of "Shark Lady," a children's book about the true story of how Eugenie Clark became the ocean's most fearless scientist. — The Shark Lady by Jess Keating

This ocean picture book gives a little glimpse into Eugenie Clark’s passion for sharks and her scientific contributions.

S is for Snail.

25. Snail Crossing by Corey R. Tabor

A bright yellow sign with bold letters that read Snail Crossing wraps the book by Corey R Tabor, a book on the booklist of children's books about perseverance. — Snail Crossing by Corey R. Tabor

Snail has his eyes on the green leafy cabbage across the road. Along his journey, he demonstrates kindness and hospitality. He experiences a life-threatening obstacle only to find himself further from his dreamy head of cabbage. But his kindness towards the rowdy ants is returned. While humorous, Snail is a great example of demonstrating kindness even during hard times and trials

26. Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman

A large snail with a spiral shape and other nature swirls fill the picture book cover "Swirl by Swirl" by Joyce Sidman, a nature picture book featured on the best letter S books for preschool and kindergarten booklist. — Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman

This captivating nature book explores the fascinating form of a spiral.

27. The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson

A large humpback whale carries a tiny snail on the tip of his tail across the sea to a tropical island with tropical birds flying in the bright blue sky on the book cover of "The Snail and The Whale" by Julia Donaldson, a book about compassion for kids. — The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson

A snail with an itchy foot and a longing to travel slithers aboard a large humpback whale’s tail and travels the sea. Their journey involves an opportunity for the tiny snail to perform a heroic act and move a community to a compassionate act. Young readers will love the rhythmic text.

S is for Sheep.

28. Sheep Go to Sleep by Nancy Shaw

A sheep dog hugs a sheep on the beloved board book "Sheep go to sleep" by Nancy Shaw, a book on the best farm books for kids booklist. — Sheep Go to Sleep by Nancy Shaw

It’s time for bed but this flock of sheep cannot fall asleep. With the help of the sheepdog, the restless sheep find sleep one by one. If you love this silly sheep tale check out Sheep in a Jeep.

29. Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep by Eric Barclay

A sheep sitting in the driver's seat of an old blue truck looks over to the sheepdog sitting in the passenger seat. — Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep by Eric Barclay

This is a book of good humor. We continually borrow this gem at our local library. Sheep Sheep is a silly sheep who discovers she is a Dog Sheep. She does her best to help the sheepdog prepare for his job of watching the sheep.

S is for Steam Shovel.

30. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton

A mighty steam shovel smiles on the red book cover of "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel," an old childrens book. — Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton

Mary Anne, Mike’s faithful steam shovel, gets put out of work by the new fancy machines. However, Mike bets that Mary Anne can dig in one day as much as one hundred men can in a week. Their hard work and ingenuity are tested in the little town of Popperville.

S is for Snow

31. Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner

A badger hibernates under a blanket of snow with dead, brown leaves in his burrow and scattered on the snow on the book cover of "Over and Under the Snow," a book about snow for toddlers and kids. — Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner

The Over and Under book series are great nature books for young children. This one follows a dad and daughter on a cross-country ski trip through the winter woods. Along the way, they learn about different animals making their home in the winter snow.

32. Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

A book about snow for toddlers features a red snow plow ready to work on the cover of "Katy and the Big Snow." — Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

This classic children’s book is about a big red tractor named Katy who pushes a snow plow in the winter, and an underdog, gets her opportunity to shine and rescue the town during a blizzard.

More Snow Books {HERE}

S is for Story.

33. The Story Blanket by Ferida Wolff

A group of children sit attentively on a colorful patchwork quilt during storytime on the book cover of "The Story Blanket," a book on the Best February Picture Books for Kids booklist. — The Story Blanket by Ferida Wolff

In this endearing and beautifully illustrated story, a woman shares her imaginative tales and gifts – all from her treasured story blanket – with the children in her tiny snow-covered village. One day, Babba Zarrah notices that Nikolai needs new socks, but without any yarn, she must find a solution. After the children leave, she unravels part of her precious blanket to create a cozy pair of socks to keep him warm. As the villagers receive mysterious gifts, Babba’s blanket becomes smaller and smaller. When the community discovers her secret, they decide to surprise her with a gift of their own.

34. The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty

An excited rabbit reads a story to a tiny creature called a Snatchabook while sitting on stacks of books on the fun picture book cover "The Snatchabook," a book on the Best Picture Books that Celebrate Reading booklist. — The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty

In this captivating picture book, a mystery unfolds as books start vanishing. Where have all the bedtime stories gone? Eliza Brown, an inquisitive bunny, stakes out to uncover the culprit behind the missing books. Surprisingly, the book thief turns out to be a tiny creature who sadly has no one to read to him

Interested in More Booklists for Kids: Check These Out!

Best Garden Books for Kids

Book covers are arranged on a pale green background with green artist designs and leaves with bold black text on the image for children books on plants booklist.

Get the complete garden booklists {HERE}.

Favorite Picture Books about Snow

A collage of book covers featuring books about snow for toddlers and kids with cool-colored decorative snowflakes and black bold text.

Get the complete snowy booklist {HERE}.

Favorite Ocean Books for Kids

Children's picture book covers arranged on an ocean blue background with a black outline of a ship. Ocean books for kids include The little island, hot dog, a single pearl, aquatic life, swashby and the sea, ocean meets sky, a house for hermit crab, deep and blue, and over and under the waves.

Get the complete list of favorite ocean picture books {HERE}.

More Booklists Coming Soon!

Thanks for Stopping By!

Lastly, thank you for stopping by! Please say Hi in the comment section and share your favorite book from the Best Letter S Book for Preschool booklist! Did I miss one of your favorites? If you have any recommendations, please feel free to share them in the comment section. Be sure to subscribe to my mailing list for monthly picture booklists delivered right to your inbox.

HAPPY READING!