Best Color Books

This curated list of the best color-themed read-aloud books for preschoolers and kindergartners sparks imagination, builds color recognition, and brings stories to life through bold art and engaging language.

Is This The Bus For Us?
By Harriet Ziefert | Illustrated by Richard Brown
Red Comet Press, 2023

Transportation meets animals meets colors in this gem of a read aloud. Leo and his sisters are waiting on a blue bus that goes to the park. One by one, different color buses with different animal passengers arrive. Children use observation skills to answer the repeated question, “Is this bus for us?” Also extremely effective as a felt board story.

Dog’s Colorful Day
By Emma Dodd
Dutton Children’s Books, 2000

One of my go-to books for beginner storytellers, this “messy” color and counting book is an excellent read-aloud, cumulative story, and felt board story. I have even done it with colorful dot stickers that children stick on a picture of Dog (classroom setting) or caregivers stick on their children as they pretend to be Dog. A winner for 5 and under. 

Every Color Soup
By Jorey Hurley
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018

Let’s make every color soup! We’ll need a pot and lots of colorful ingredients. Can you name them all? Hurley’s signature bold and simple style shines in this elegantly designed read aloud, which allows plenty of space for dialogic reading and even includes a recipe in the back. 

I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!
By Karen Beaumont | Illustrated by David Catrow
Harcourt Books, 2005

One of my favorite sinagable books ever, this story is to the tune of “It Ain’t Gonna Rain No More” and follows a little kid who cannot stop painting everywhere! Once he runs out of places to paint in his house, he starts painting himself! What will happen when his mama finds out? Super super silly illustrations and rhyming, singable text make this one a real crowd pleaser.  

Alma’s Art
By Rhoda Ahmed | Pictures by Anita Cheung
Hightree Publishing, 2022

This delightful book is inspired by expert colorist and painter Alma Woodsy Thomas, who made her national debut as an abstract artist at age 80. This story follows little Alma as she explores all the colors of the rainbow. They are all so beautiful - does she have to pick just one? A