Erstlesebücher: German first reader books

For bilingual and multilingual families, finding the right books for young readers can sometimes be a challenge, especially while living abroad. To support your child’s early reading journey in German, we’ve compiled a list of recommended first-reader books. These selections feature simple texts, large print, and engaging illustrations, making them perfect for children beginning to read in German—even in a multilingual household.

"Erst ich ein Stück, dann du" by Patricia Schröder

This series is particularly suitable for shared reading between parents and children. Parents read the more challenging text, while the child reads the simpler part.

"Leserabe" (Ravensburger Verlag)

This series offers books at various reading levels and is specifically tailored to the needs of early readers. The stories are engaging and appropriately illustrated for children.

"Leselöwen" (Loewe Verlag)

One of the best-known series for early readers. The books are divided into different age groups and offer exciting, easily understandable stories.

"Bildermaus" (Loewe Verlag)

These books are aimed at preschoolers and early readers. They contain many pictures that support text comprehension and make reading easier.

"Duden Leseprofi" (Cornelsen Verlag)

This series offers child-friendly stories adapted to the reading abilities of early readers. There are various reading levels that correspond to the child's progress.

These books provide a good mix of entertainment and educational value to help children learn to read and stay motivated. :)