The best books for toddlers are those that help your little one learn and grow, while also entertaining them. This list of 50 best books for toddlers includes stories that teach children about colors, numbers, shapes, letters, counting to ten, and more! These best-selling toddler books will be an excellent addition to any child’s library.
Related:
- 10+ Best Fall Books for Kids for Ages 1-7
- 15 Best Halloween Books for Toddlers That Are Spooky Good
- 12 Surprising Tips to Potty Train Your Toddler Without Losing Your Mind As a New Mom
- 11+ Best Backpacks for Toddlers & Preschoolers
What type of books are best for toddlers?
There is no one answer to this question since different toddlers will enjoy different types of books. However, some good examples of books that are often enjoyed by toddlers are picture books, board books, and stories with moral lessons.
Best books for toddlers age 1-3
First best book for toddler: “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown. This is a classic bedtime story that has been around since 1947 but still remains popular among parents and toddlers today because of its calming, peaceful tone which helps to lull the little ones into sleep. The simple text and beautiful illustrations are the best qualities of this book.
Second best books for toddlers age one to two: “I Love You as Big as the World” by Rosemary Wells. A young child goes on a simple journey with his mother where they meet new people, explore their surroundings, and have fun together along the way. The story is best suited for toddlers who are just beginning to explore the world.
Best books for two year old toddler: “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle is a great book that encourages children to count along as they read and discover new concepts about life cycles of caterpillars, healthy eating habits, or simply color recognition. This classic story is best suited for children who are just beginning to learn the basics of reading.
Best books for one to three year old toddler: “The Napping House” by Audrey Wood is a fun story about literally a house full of sleepy people and animals. This book is soothing and helps kids fall asleep with its calming words. The cute illustrations make this book best suited for toddlers ages two or three years old.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I will get a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking the link, you will not pay a penny more than usual.
List of 50 best books for your toddler
Below you will find a list of the 50 best books for toddlers:
1) Goodnight Moon – Margaret Wise Brown
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown has been considered the ideal book for reading slowly and quietly to children at bedtime, to quiet them down for sleep. This book is a classic, I remember reading this book as a child, so It has been around for a while and been a favorite of many for generations.
2) I Love You As Big As The World – David Van Buren and Tim Warnes
I Love You As Big as The World by David Van Buren & Time Warnes is simple and sweet. It is also colorful. This book is made with Materials that will keep a toddler from destroying it with ease. The imagery will keep your toddler entertained. Also a common baby shower gift book.
3) The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle
Children learn colors, the names of various fruits and meals, and even counting how many items are on each page are all simple for youngsters to comprehend. The book is tiny, making it convenient for a baby or toddler to hold and very sturdy.
4) Napping House – Audrey Wood
The Napping House by Audrey Wood is a teacher recommended book. This book has a lot of repetition which is great for toddlers to learn new words. This book also has beautiful illustrations. Perfect for small children and perfect for bedtime!
5) Chicka Chicka Boom Boom – Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault is a classic alphabet story. This book is super fun to read due to its catchy rhyme. Kids love reading this book, its a must have in your kids library. I’ve added a read along video below for you to preview this book and its rhythmic flow:
6) The Lion And The Mouse – Jerry Pinkney
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney is a beautiful book full of amazing visuals and sound words. This book has little to no words in it, just sound words. Due to just having sound words but amazing illustrations, you can tell your own story using just the pictures on the book. This book would be perfect to show and tell your own story to babies and toddlers. You could have your toddlers point out the many different animals on the pages.
7) All About Weather by Huda Harajli, MA
All About Weather by Huda Harajli,MA is the perfect book for exampling the weather to your toddler. This book goes over the four season, temperature, weather and nature changes. In the book, the author even writes about what to wear for each type of weather. The illustrations are great for kids and nice and colorful. Really good educational book to add to your child’s library!
8) Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! – Mo Willems
Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! by Mo Willems is about a bus driver who steps away and ask readers to make sure the pigeon does drives the bus. Of course, while the bus driver is gone, the pigeon comes and ask to drive the bus and does everything they can to persuades readers to let them drive the bus. I believe this is a good book to teach kids to follow instructions no matter how much strangers might try to convince them to not follow them. This book can be a gateway book to teaching your child how to deal with strangers. Here is a read along found on youtube if you would like to see it before buying it on Amazon:
9) Are You My Mother?- P.D Eastman
Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman is a classic book that has stand the test of time for it has been a favorite amongst generations. This book is about a Bird, who starts as an egg in the beginning of the story, who goes on a search for their mother after their mother left the nest to get food for the bird before they hatch. Instead of the bird waiting on their mom’s return they go on a search to find their mother. Asking around , if the animals they met “are you my mother.” Great book for toddlers!
10) Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? – Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? Book is the perfect book for your little one! This book has minimal text, easy flow, pictures of animal, and very colorful images. Will sure be one of your toddler’s favorite book to read!
11) The Day the Crayons Quit- Drew Daywalt
This is probably one of my favorite book for toddlers because of how funny and amusing this book is about crayons speaking out about all the hard work they do. Each color literally gets to speak out their usage in this book and personally each page is hilariously funny to me. Below you will find a read along video from Youtube, so you can get a preview of the book before buying it on Amazon:
12) If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
This is a classic fun story about a mouse who keeps wanting more after a little boy gives him a cookie. This book has last generations, for I remember reading this book as a child. Moms are raving over this book and the series of other books connected with this one!
13) The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear- Don & Audrey Wood
Millions of children all across the world know and love the Little Mouse and the Big Hungry Bear. Little Mouse, like the bear, enjoys strawberries… Little Mouse must figure out a way to keep the bear from devouring his freshly plucked, red, ripe strawberry. The comedy, expressive graphics, and surprising finale make this classic story a favorite.
14) Llama Llama Red Pajama – Anna Dewdney
It was a cute tiny ball of fur. Llama Llama and Mama Llama are two adorable characters. With fascinating images, it teaches small readers to be patient. It is recommended for young readers like toddlers.
15) Little Pea – Amy Krouse Rosenthal
A charming and entertaining story for tiny selective eaters: If Little Pea doesn’t finish all of his sweets, he won’t be allowed to eat any vegetables for dessert! I know its a bit of a twist but this book is perfect for picky eaters.
16) On The Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
Fantastic illustration that contributes to the story. Wonderful book that will help a young child realize their own uniqueness. A fantastic bedtime story for a toddler who is struggling to grasp that they are unique – and that those who truly love them value that individuality.
17) Oh, The Places You’ll Go – Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss is the embodiment of children’s literature, as he writes about life in a lighthearted and poetic manner that children can grasp. “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” is no exception, as it is about going out into the world and believing in yourself. “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” is a book that every child should read while they’re feeling down. Essentially, this book is about overcoming life’s challenges, such as loneliness, fear, and perplexity, with a straight face and tackling life ahead of you in poetic style that children will enjoy!
18) Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker/Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)
With poetic rhymes and animated construction machinery, this is a popular amusing bedtime reading. I believe it is especially beneficial for children whose parents work in the construction business. Great for young construction enthusiasts.
19) The Very Busy Spider – Eric Carle
Another excellent book for learning to identify animals and imitate their sounds. Each page has a tiny texture created by the spider thread, which can be felt with the fingertips. This makes “feeling” the spider web develop on each subsequent page a lot more fun. This book’s small size makes it ideal for taking with you wherever you go.
20) Caps For Sale – Esphyr Slobodkina
Caps for Sale is a timeless classic that has been cherished by generations of readers. It has been in print for nearly fifty years. Warmth, comedy, and simplicity abound in this simple narrative about a salesman and a gang of mischievous monkeys. In this revised, enlarged, and redesigned edition, children will delight in following the peddler’s efforts to outwit the monkeys, and will ask to read it again and again.
21) Owl Babies – Martin Waddell
This short story is about the worry that children have when they are separated from their parents. It uses rhyming and mild suspense to great effect. Perfect for children who suffer separation anxiety.
22) Room on the Broom – Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Room on the Broom by Julian Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is an entertaining family read-aloud that is a great book to kick off Halloween festivities and makes a great gift. From the creators of The Gruffalo, a beautiful story of quick wits, friendship, and inclusivity!
Related: 15 Best Halloween Books for Toddlers That Are Spooky Good
23) How to Catch a Mermaid by Adam Wallace
This book is jam packed with objects that toddlers can name and point out. The colors are extremely brilliant, and the book is of excellent quality! Perfect for toddlers whom love mermaids.
24) Baby Be Kind by Jane Cowen-Fletcher
Cute board book that demonstrates and explains various ways to be nice, with examples that children may readily copy. Very simple and easy to understand for children. My older children picked up on the message as well. Cute illustrations to keep young readers interested in the book.
25) First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
This is best vocabulary book for toddlers. The visuals in this book is perfect for keeping the interest of your little ones. Your toddler’s vocabulary will expand over time from reading this book.
26) The Wonderful Things You Will Be- Emily Winfield Martin
If you are into affirmations, this is the best self affirmation book for toddlers! This book helps teach your child self confidence, and how to deal with the world around them.
27) Press Here – Herve Tullet
This book is the best interactive book for toddlers. Your little one will be put in charge and get to think critically, learn about cause and effect, and also identify colors. Perfect book for the toddlers that are more hands on.
28) My First Book of Colors and Shapes by Rockridge Press
Colors and shapes are among the first concepts toddlers learn about the world, and this book makes it fun for them to begin! Each page concentrates on one color and one or two shapes, allowing children to focus and learn without being overwhelmed. Perfect book for teaching your toddler colors and shapes.
29) Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
The Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle promotes kindness and teamwork and is perfect toddlers. This story is about a little blue truck and their new found friends who work together to get the truck out of the mud via teamwork.
30) Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden
This is a fun and colorful board book for babies and toddlers! The simple repeating language and vivid colors appeal to young children, and this book is the ideal size for them to carry. This is a highly recommended book.
31) Be Brave Little One by Marianne Richmond
Be Brave Little One by Marianne Richmond is a parent’s favorite book to read to their little ones. This book teaches children about bravery and courage. Perfect to read to your toddler.
32) Corduroy by Don Freeman
This classic book is a must have in your toddler’s library! Corduroy by Don Freeman is a beautiful story about a teddy bear that comes alive in the night time of a toy department just to find a button that a little girl’s mom pointed out when she ask to get the bear. The book teaches about adventure and friendship. The storyline is interesting and engaging for little ones.
33) Where’s Ellie? by Salina Yoon
This board book is a hide and seek book for babies and toddlers. The Illustrations are colorful and cute, keep little children engaged and active.
34) I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth
Super Cute Short book to read to your toddler and have your toddler read on their own. Many moms have found this book to be an easy read for their little one and for themselves when energy is low before bedtime. This book has also been a popular baby shower gift.
35) What The Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson
This is a lively and interesting story about a ladybird who assists in the rescue of a cow that has been taken by two wicked men. The book contains a lot of repetition and rhyming, making it ideal for younger children. This helps children to participate in the repeated phrases, such as animal noises.
36) Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
Another lovely children’s book with fantastic rhymes and wonderful illustrations. These are fantastic books to use as tools to get young children interested in reading at a young age.
37) Where’s the Poop by Julie Markes
Children will learn that all animals, including tigers in the jungle, kangaroos in the outback, and monkeys in the rain forest, have a place to defecate in this engaging and pleasant, amusing lift-the-flap book. Your toddler will learn that he or she, too, has a place to poop with the help of this amusing book. Where’s the Poop? gives toddlers the confidence they need while teaching the notion of toilet training.
38) One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
“One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish,” another Dr. Seuss classic, contains something for everyone, from counting and opposites to a silly little poem.
39) Can I Eat That? by Joshua David Stein
It can be difficult to persuade children, especially toddlers, to try new foods. Many children simply refuse to eat food they don’t recognize, citing a variety of reasons ranging from unusual colors and textures to unpleasant odors. “Can I Eat That?” on the other hand, introduces children to a variety of cuisines in a fun and imaginative way.
40) It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
“It’s Okay to Be Different” by Todd Parr honors diversity, individuality, and the value of being yourself. It is essential that your toddler reads this book.
41) Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Guess How Much I Love You is a touching story about a parent’s love for their child. While this is a family favorite, I’ll admit that it can be tough for me to read it without choking up near the conclusion. Definitely one to keep for a long time.
42) Down to The Sea With Mr Magee by Chris Van Dusen
Bright, stunning colors, lovely lyrical language, and classic images galore! This book has everything. It’s a lot of fun to read aloud. Parents and children will both enjoy it and will discover new details in the artwork each time they read it.
43) P is for Potty by Naomi Kleinberg
“P Is for Potty” prepares your toddler for potty training with the help of Elmo and 30 fun, interactive flaps. Perfect for toddlers who starting potty training to encourage them during the process.
44) No Matter What by Debi Gliori
This is the ideal story to read to children in order to reinforce a parent’s or grandparent’s unfailing love. It is a must-read aloud for children who have experienced loss and separation due to divorce, foster care, or illness.
45) The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
A comical book can be just the thing for a child who doesn’t want to go to bed. Sandra Boynton, on the other hand, reigns supreme when it comes to humorous novels. An ark full of animals watches the sun set and then prepares for bed in The Going to Bed Book. They bathe (“in one large tub”), change into pajamas, brush their teeth, do exercises on deck (picture an elephant jumping rope, a moose lifting weights, and a pig doing handstands), and then say good night.
46) Where’s Spot by Eric Hill
Before finding where cheeky Spot has been hiding, lift each flap to find all sorts of hilarious animal surprises. The entertaining writing is a great motivator to read and answer together, and the hide-and-seek flaps stimulate curiosity and participation.
47) Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae
This book is jam-packed with excellent drawings and a diversity of sea creatures. This book is about all of the ocean’s species. What they eat, where they live, and why they live there are all described in the book.
48) Welcome to The Zoo by Allison Jay
The wordless book is ideal for explaining zoo animals to children. You can break out the counting of the creatures and what type of animal they are as you read the book. Toddlers will be captivated by the big creatures.
49) From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
From Head to Toe is one of my favorite Eric Carle books to use in the classroom since it encourages children to move around. Young children enjoy participating in the activities, and it’s a great book to use with children who aren’t natural English speakers.
50) When I Am Big by Maria Dek
While this book is primarily a counting book, it offers much more. Curiosity and innovation are sparked by “When I Am Big.” It promotes creativity and adventure, as well as providing a glimpse into the future for children.
Best books for Toddlers age 2-3
“Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle is best for toddlers aged two or three years. The colorful pictures are filled with cute animals that will keep little hands busy while the story engages them in learning about colors, counting numbers as well as animal sounds.
Best books for toddlers age two or three- “Napping House” by Audrey Wood is best suited for toddler aged two, three or four years old. It encourages little ones to look around them carefully and think critically about their surroundings. The cute illustrations make this book best suited for toddlers ages two, three or four years old.”
FAQs about the Best Books For Toddlers
Below you will find the most frequently asked questions about books for toddlers:
1) How do I choose a book for my toddler?
You should look for books that have pictures, as well as books that you can talk about with your child to build communication. Sharing a home library is such a wonderful way to grow closer to your child and foster their education and love of reading! Make sure you include simple words together with short sentences. And remember that if the language in the book seems too complicated, older siblings are usually eager to read it aloud with little ones beside them. So even if they’re not getting much out of the book themselves, especially when they’re younger, children at this age still enjoy hearing stories being told in detail even if they don’t understand all of the words.
A toddler reader would enjoy books where toddlers are involved in some part of the story.
2) What books attract children?
It’s critical to locate a book with bright colors and simple, repeating phrases. Toddlers learn by repetition, therefore books with few words aren’t the best option. Also, make careful not to expose your kid to anything frightening or difficult for them! Toddlers have highly developed sensory nerves. 🙂
3) How do you know if a book is suitable for children?
There are lots of best books for toddlers that may interest your kid, but be careful to select a book which is right for their age range. In addition, parents should check the language in the book because it will have an impact on how much they enjoy reading with their child and also learn from it. Some books can get pretty complex so if your child is still learning to speak, the best books for toddlers will be a better choice.
4) Should parents always let children choose the books they read?
As a parent, you can help your child choose books for your little one by asking them some questions about their interests. It’s important to let children have control over what they’re reading because it encourages them and having a say in the book is exciting!
5) How do you read to a toddler?
Make sure that they are interested in reading. If your toddler is not enjoying books or shows an interest, then it might be best if you look for some other ways to encourage them to learn how to read instead of forcing them into something they don’t like doing. Always make bedtime story time fun and enjoyable; this will help keep children excited about learning new things on their own as well as open up a world of possibilities for everyone involved! By encouraging toddlers at every chance possible with engaging stories, simple rhymes, singing songs together, and interactive activities such as counting objects in the pictures, you are setting them up for success.
Last Thing You Need To Know About the Best Books For Toddlers
Now that you have a list of the best books for toddler, it’s time to order your new toddler books from your local bookstores and/ or Amazon. I know your little one will love their new book collection!
As always Sharing is Caring! Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends, family, and on social media (Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, etc.). What is your toddler favorite book to read ? Comment below to let us know what they are and we will add them to our list! We hope that these ideas helped 🙂 Thank you for reading!
Related Post:
If you are pregnant, check out these blog posts to help you through your pregnancy:
- Four Letter Boy Names for Your Precious Baby Boy
- Southern and Country Baby Names: Meaningful Baby Girl and Boy Names
- 400+ Unisex Baby Names
- 222+ Middle Names For Girls : Cute Baby Girl Middle Names
- 237+ Baby Boy Names You Totally Want To Steal
- 100+ Pretty Baby Girl Names
- 30 Pregnancy Affirmations To Help You Through Your Pregnancy
- The Best Products to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
- 10 Reasons Why Every Mom to Be Needs An Amazon Baby Registry
- The Best Guide To Adapting Your Pets To Your Newborn (Pets and Infants)
- A Cheat Sheet to Having a Mermaid Themed Baby Shower
- The Beginner’s Guide to Surviving as a New Mom
- Must-Have Products On Your Baby Registry
- Breastfeeding 101 For New Mothers
- 5+ Lactation Products To Increase Milk Flow
- 19+ Best Amazon Products to Survive the 4th Trimester (Postpartum)