The 40 Best Books for Toddlers: Stories That Spark Wonder and Joy
Books for toddlers make for a wonderful gift, introducing young children to the magic of stories and reading. Below you’ll find a list of the very best toddler books—many of which have stood the test of time—to enchant little ones at Christmas and all through the year.
Contents:
- What to Look for in the Best Toddler Books
- Our Top Picks
- Other Interesting Books for Toddlers
- How We Chose the Best Toddler Books
- The Takeaway: Creating Lifelong Readers
What to Look for in the Best Toddler Books
The best books for toddlers combine engaging illustrations with a simple narrative that’ll hold a small child’s attention. Brightly colored pictures tend to attract toddlers, and rhyming text is almost always a winner. There are also plenty of great wordless toddler books, which can stimulate very young children both mentally and visually, encouraging them to create their own stories based on the illustrations. Toddlers also often love the tactile nature of board or cloth books, or books that feature flaps to lift or sections to press or manipulate.
Our Top Picks
| Best Picture Book | Best Lift-the Flap Book | Best Book for Bedtime |
| The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle | Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell | Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown |
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 |
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| Bold and bright illustrations | Interactive elements | Soothing text |
| Fun story | Sturdy board book | Gentle, calming illustrations |
| Loved for generations | Fun illustrations | Loved for more than 75 years |
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–4 years
Still as popular as when it was first published in 1969, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been delighting toddlers for decades. The story features a caterpillar, who has just emerged from his cocoon and munches his way through a wide variety of food.
The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith
Credit: amazon
Age range: 2 years+
An Amazon’s Teachers’ Pick, this funny toddler book by singer/songwriter Craig Smith will have very young children laughing out loud at the hilarious rhymes used to describe the cute wonky donkey of the title.
Fox in Socks by Dr Seuss
Credit: amazon
Age range: 2–6 years
No toddler’s book collection is complete without a Dr Seuss book or two! This zany rhyming romp is a great way to encourage even young children to read and is sure to become one of the most-requested read-aloud books in your household.
Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres
Credit: amazon
Age range: 2–3 years
This book is perfect for young boys and girls who love trucks and other working vehicles. A fun look at how a truck, fire engine, snow plow, tractor, and more settle down to sleep, toddlers will enjoy the vibrant illustrations and rhyming text. And you may even find it makes their own bedtime routine run a little smoother!
Hot Dog by Doug Salati
Credit: amazon
Age range: 2–7 years
One of the top new toddler books, Hot Dog was the recipient of the 2023 Caldecott Medal and is a New York Times’ bestseller. The lyrical text and beautiful pictures combine to tell the story of an overexcited puppy who is calmed by a walk near the sea in the fresh air.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–3 years
This enchanting board book with its visually striking collages is sturdy enough for both a toddler and a baby and is a good way to teach kids the names of animals and colors. It’ll also fire young imaginations, as little ones join Brown Bear in looking around his world.
Big Fish Little Fish by Jonathan Litton
Credit: amazon
Age range: 0–2 years
A board book with a difference: each page features a finger hole, that gradually decreases in size, that your little boy or girl will love. The simple, vibrant pictures of friendly fish are also great for keeping toddlers engaged in the playful story.
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–3 years
Take a ride with Blue and his animal friends in this delightful board toddler book. With a story focused on friendship, kindness, respect, and helping others, young children will love the noises and gentle fun that feature throughout.
Little Green Frog by Ginger Swift
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–2 years
A lift-the-flap, sturdy board book that’s perfect for little fingers, babies, and toddlers will be fascinated as Little Frog introduces them to all his friends. The flaps are great for helping to develop fine motor skills.
My First Book of Emotions for Toddlers by Orlena Kerek and April Hartmann
Credit: amazon
Age range: 2–3 years
This book explains, in toddler terms, the six key emotions: joy, sadness, surprise, anger, fear, and disgust. The authors explore, in an accessible way, both how these emotions feel in the body, and positive ways to express the more challenging ones.
The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming and Nicola Slater
Credit: amazon
Age range: 2–5 years
As the leaves start to change color in September and October, Squirrel loves to count them all on his tree—but one day he discovers a leaf is missing! About both the season of fall and adapting to change, this enchanting volume is one of the best toddler books for helping young children deal with, for example, moving house, or starting school.
The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin
Credit: amazon
Age range: 0–3 years
Uplifting and magical, The Wonderful Things You Can Be celebrates the hopes, dreams, and love that parents have for their children. The beautiful rhymes and heartfelt illustrations make this a book that will be loved by the whole family.
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–3 years
A sturdy board lift-the-flap book that’s been adored by toddlers for over twenty-five years, Dear Zoo is sure to become a classic in your household, too. Kids are invited to lift the flaps to meet the zoo’s residents—but would any make the perfect pet?
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–3 years
A much-loved classic that’s available as either a paperback or boardback, this book tells the tale of Gerald, a giraffe who loves to dance, despite what everyone else thinks! Gently inspirational and lots of fun, this is a great way to encourage little ones to follow their dreams.
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–4 years
Corduroy the teddy bear has been enchanting young (and old) readers for fifty years—and continues to do so. A touching reflection on true friendship, this book was named one of the 100 Great Children’s Books of the Last 100 Years by the New York Public Library.
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
Credit: amazon
Age range: 2–5 years
Already a classic, The Gruffalo will have toddlers rapt as they follow a mouse who goes for a stroll through the deep, dark woods… and encounters a hungry fox, a snake, and an owl, all of whom think the mouse may be the perfect snack. Luckily, the clever mouse has a plan.
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Meg and Mog by Helen Nicoll
Credit: amazon
Age range: 0–5 years
Generations of young children have been captivated by the Meg and Mog books, with their bold and bright illustrations and unforgettable characters. In this first installment of the series, the witch and her trusty feline companion head off to a Halloween party.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Credit: amazon
Age range: 0–3 years
First published in Sep 1947, Goodnight Moon has helped generations of babies and toddlers to drift off to peaceful sleep at bedtime. The gentle rhymes and soothing illustrations combine to create a magic spell as the day draws to a close.
They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel
Credit: amazon
Age range: 2–5 years
This Caldecott Medal-winning book about seeing things from different perspectives shows readers the many lives of a cat, and how looking at things from another angle can make a big difference. It’s a wonderful celebration of curiosity and observation that toddlers will love.
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Credit: amazon
Age range: 0–2 years
A charming, comforting picture book that’s perfect to read at bed and naptime, Guess How Much I Love You is a gorgeous celebration of the infinite love shared by parents and their kids. The softly repetitive nature of the text will help young children relax ready for sleep.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–5 years
If you’re looking for a Christmas present for a toddler, this board book by Ezra Jack Keats could be just the ticket. Capturing the wonder, excitement, and magic of a child’s first snowfall, we follow the protagonist as he spends the day outside, exploring his new wintry environment.
I Am a Big Sister by Caroline Jayne Church
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–3 years
This book is a good way to help an older sister get used to her new role. It features cute pictures, lots of opportunities for interaction, and simple text designed to reassure kids. I Am a Big Brother by the same author is also available.
You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie by Natalie Marshall
Credit: amazon
Age range: 0–2 years
Board books don’t get much cuter than this one, with chunky pages perfect for little hands to explore: kids will be fascinated by the cutouts to manipulate. Colorful pictures and a sweet rhyming scheme make You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie irresistible to toddlers and babies.
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–3 years
An all-time beloved children’s classic, this wordless book is full of heart. One morning, a little boy wakes to find a world blanketed in snow. When he builds a snowman, little does he know the adventures that are about to unfold, that’ll take him flying through the air to the North Pole, to meet Santa Claus himself.
You Are My Sunshine Sound Book
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–4 years
A toddler book with a difference: this one allows little ones to press a button to listen along to six weather-themed songs and nursery rhymes. The fun, interactive format is designed to cultivate an early love of books, and even very young children will enjoy the combination of pictures, words, and music.
Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–3 years
For decades, the character of Spot the dog has been enchanting toddlers and young children, as he navigates the world and gets up to mischief. The beautifully bold colors and lift-the-flaps elements will make this volume, the first in the Spot series, a favorite.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–4 years
A riot of an alphabet chant book that toddlers have been enjoying for more than three decades, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a brilliant way to introduce children to letters. And the sturdy board book version means it’ll survive literally hundreds of readings!
Moon by Britta Teckentrup
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–4 years
This peek-through board book shows, in simple terms, the different phases of the moon, and is perfect for winding down at bedtime. The clever rhymes and whimsical illustrations ensure that this will become a much-loved part of your toddler’s book collection.
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Credit: amazon
Age range: 2–5 years
Toddlers will never fail to laugh at this hilarious story of a taco-loving dragon and his gang of new friends. With an engaging storyline, playful illustrations, and interactive elements—kids are invited to imagine throwing their own taco parties for a dragon—this humorous book will have young children enthralled.
Tiny T-Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman
Credit: amazon
Age range: 2–5 years
Looking for an uplifting book for your toddler about the importance of not giving up? Then this charming tale by Jonathan Stutzman should be a contender. Tiny the T-Rex wants to cheer up his dinosaur pals, but his extra-small stature makes giving them a hug seem impossible—or so it would seem…
The Mitten by Jan Brett
Credit: amazon
Age range: 1–5 years
When a young boy, Nicki, drops a mitten on a snowy day, the animals of the forest stumble across it and, one by one, crawl inside. As the animals’ day unfolds, so too does Nicki’s, whose adventures readers can follow in the borders of each page.
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
Credit: amazon
Age range: 2–6 years
A quiet, gentle exploration of feelings around loss, this book may be useful in helping young children navigate difficult times and learn how to offer comfort to others. In the wake of a terrible event, Taylor turns to her animal friends for help, but none of their suggestions are quite right—apart from Rabbit’s.
Other Interesting Books for Toddlers
- Green Eggs and Ham by Dr Seuss.
- The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr.
- Hairy McClary from Donaldson’s Dairy by Lynley Dodd.
- So Much by Trish Cooke.
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.
- That’s Not My Puppy by Fiona Watt.
- Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang.
How We Chose the Best Toddler Books
Yuganov Konstantin/Shutterstock.com
To select the books for the list above, we looked for options that featured engaging illustrations, an engaging storyline or concept, and text (where present) that would captivate the listener or reader. The best toddler books are enchanting doorways into the world of early reading. To this end, all the books on the list needed to convey this sense of wonder, fun, and magic, or create an emotional connection with their audience.
The Takeaway: Creating Lifelong Readers
When choosing a book for a toddler, think about the books you loved yourself as a young child. Whether it was the pictures, the rhymes, the characters, the story, or a mix of all of these things, it’s that magic that you want to recreate as an experience for your own little one. Use the guide above for inspiration to help you choose the very best toddler book. And, if your toddler loves a particular book that doesn’t appear on this list, let us know—we’d love to hear about it in the comment below.
The picture on the front page: fizkes/Shutterstock.com
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