[For 3-year-olds] Recommended Picture Books to Read in March

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

By the time March arrives at the end of the school year, three-year-olds start to notice their own feelings and those of their friends little by little, and you can see them wrestling with those emotions.

With the new class level approaching, they may be feeling a bit unsettled.

Why not enjoy some picture books this March that let you feel the season, or funny ones that will make you laugh out loud?

In this article, we’ve gathered many picture books to enjoy with three-year-olds in March.

As their minds and bodies grow and they begin to discover a range of emotions and feelings, let’s fully enjoy the world of fantasy through picture books together!

[For 3-year-olds] Recommended Picture Books to Read in March (11–20)

Butterflies flutteringText: Michio Mado / Illustrations: Chiyoko NISHIMAKI

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Three-year-olds are starting to enjoy picture books with stories.

But how about trying a simple picture book once in a while? “Flutter, Little Butterfly” is a work that lets you feel the joy of spring filling your heart.

Though it’s written with simple words like “tee-hee” and “ho-ho,” when you enjoy them together with the warm illustrations, you’re filled with an indescribably rich feeling.

It’s a book that lets you share the feeling of “Spring is so delightful.” Also recommended for read-aloud time in mixed-age childcare settings.

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Barbapapa the GhostText: Annette Tison / Illustrations: Talus Taylor

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Barbapapa can transform into anything.

Many adults know him, but today’s children might not be as familiar with the character.

Ghostly Barbapapa is the memorable first book in this long-beloved series.

Born in a garden, Barbapapa makes the most of his ability to change shape and size, and he shines.

A slightly mysterious yet dependable Barbapapa—children might have a friend like this in their own imaginations.

This bestselling classic lets readers feel the joy of thinking freely and creatively.

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Rabbit’s HouseText by Margaret Wise Brown / Illustrations by Garth Williams

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Spring arrives, and a little rabbit sets out to find a home of its own.

But it’s hard to find a place it likes.

At long last, the little rabbit comes to a home where another rabbit lives.

The two snuggled together are simply adorable.

As the story unfolds, the springtime natural world and its animals appear, filling readers with warmth.

Some children may even see themselves in the little rabbit searching for a home.

The animals and plants are depicted with exquisite detail.

It’s a recommended picture book for learning about nature through illustrations.

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Little Chibi the GorillaText: Ruth Bornstein / Illustrations: Mimi Iwata

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The baby gorilla, Chibichibi, is loved by everyone—by his father, mother, grandpa, and grandma.

Even the animals living in the forest adore Chibichibi.

This picture book centers on the gorilla Chibichibi and features many characters who love him.

For children, having someone who loves them is important, too.

Through this picture book, children may see themselves in Chibichibi.

One of the highlights is the variety of animals that appear.

Be sure to read it to your children again and again.

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Growing up meansText: Hirotaka Nakagawa / Illustrations: Yasunari Murakami

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Three-year-olds are gradually beginning to take an objective interest in themselves and their friends.

March, in particular, is the time when they start looking ahead to moving up to the next class.

The picture book “What It Means to Grow Up” expresses growth from a variety of perspectives.

Through the book, children may find opportunities to notice their own changes and development.

Children grow stronger day by day.

Looking back, it all goes by in a flash, but it might be nice to pause for a moment.

This is a book that will spark lively conversations with children.

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It’s fine, it’s fine.Yoshifumi Hasegawa

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When you face children every day, there are bound to be things neither side can compromise on.

That’s when you’ll want to read “Ii kara Ii kara” (“It’s Okay, It’s Okay”).

One day, when thunder rumbles, a parent-and-child pair of Thunder Spirits appears right before them.

It’s quite a troublesome turn of events, but Grandpa accepts them, saying, “It’s okay, it’s okay.” In this picture book, the story moves forward each time Grandpa says, “It’s okay.” It’s a book that feels like Grandpa gently easing those prickly, tightly wound feelings.

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[For 3-year-olds] Recommended Picture Books to Read in March (21–30)

Hinamatsuri for everyone!Yuichi Kimura

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When you think of March, it’s Hinamatsuri, the Doll Festival, isn’t it? The picture book “Let’s Make Dolls Together!” is an interactive pop-up book that children can enjoy reading.

Little bear Mā makes a big Hina doll, but it gets blown away by the wind.

Then little bear Kū comes along and gets a great idea for how to make a wonderful Hina doll.

What kind of Hina doll will they create? Through this book, I hope children will feel closer to the Doll Festival.

Please give it a read!

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