Choose a story. Flip through the book to make sure it has colorful pictures and isn't too wordy, since children may start to get antsy if it takes longer than 10 minutes or so for you to read.
Gather children in a quiet corner away from distractions. Sit on a low chair or on the floor with your back to the corner and ask children to sit in a semi-circle around you. This way, they'll be facing the wall and won't be distracted by any sights in the rest of the classroom.
Tell children the names of the story, author and illustrator. Open the book and show them the title page. This gives children an understanding of who creates books.
Hold the book up and to your side so you can read the words while also showing the pictures to the children. When you finish each page, hold the book out in front of you for a few seconds so all the children can get a close look at the pictures.
Read the book slightly slower than you normally speak. Alter your voice depending on what's happening in the story. When something exciting is happening, use a slightly faster and higher voice. When the action slows down, use a lower and calmer voice. Adopt different voices for each character. All of these effects make the story come alive for children, which will keep them focused.
Ask children what they thought of the book when you're done reading. They'll get to share their thoughts, and you can talk about the lessons of the story that are relevant to your preschoolers.