As a Mom of 4, I will confidently say that the best toddler books are the books that your toddler will actually sit & “read.”
“Reading” as a toddler should be fun & engaging with a dash of adventure and entertainment. Because setting your child up to love books when they are older really begins when they are a baby!
Not only will their book choices help them become more active readers when they get older, early “reading” can help them learn how to read quicker and easier.
This is how I taught 2 of my children how to read: I didn’t.
They simply learned how to read by sight words, following along to my reading, and pointing out words to be read when we were out of the house.
Street signs, grocery store aisles, and every visible word and phrase that we came across was an opportunity to practice their “reading” and learn much before I ever thought was possible.
And early books that they loved as toddlers brought on this urge to learn even more.
What started as board boards with bright colors and single words turned into chapter books that they can’t put down before bed.
This is why I love books so much and why I will never feel bad about buying books for my kids. EVER.
It’s a fountain of knowledge and discovery. To get wrapped up in a good book is one of life’s most simple pleasures and the first step to this is introducing fun & lively books at such a young age.
But, reading the same books over and over again to your toddler can become repetitive, and need I say boring.
This is why having a solid list of books that are beloved by both your toddler and yourself is a MUST. If you want to encourage strong reading habits early and keep their interest going, then finding books that you don’t mind reading too will help greatly.
After 12 years of raising kids and many, many books later, here is my super condensed list of the best toddler books that the whole family loves to read together (even my older kids don’t mind them!).
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First 100 Words
As a homeschooling Mom, I LOVE books like this.
Not only because they are easy for me to read (and after reading something over and over again, easy is preferred), but because it helps prime toddlers for reading.
Being able to look at the photos with the words while you point and read helps them “connect” the words with the objects.
It might be repetitive, but it will pay off when your kid can easily read before they officially ever start school.
I hear a Pickle
I have no idea why, but my toddler absolutely loves this book so much. It’s so simple, but sometimes the best things are the most simple, right?
I personally love the fact that the phrases are super short and there’s many sight words to point out (which makes reading down the road MUCH easier).
It’s an easy read and cute graphics, you just can’t go wrong!
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
This book has been a long time favorite of mine (going way back to my own kindergarten years even).
I love how the colors and rhythm really captivate and engage and it makes a fun, silly book reading time with your toddler.
Dear Zoo
While this might not be the most exciting book as a parent, what I love about it are the words.
There’s not many of them! ha!
It’s a fun book for toddlers to lift the flaps to see the animals and you don’t have to sit there reading a long story. Win-win.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
If you don’t have this book, then who are you?
No really. Why isn’t this in your collection?!
This is a fun book for a few reasons. First are the colors and abstract illustrations – kinda funky but cute. Secondly is the cute story of how the hungry caterpillar eats and eats and eats until he can’t eat anymore.
It’s a great way to introduce the lifecycle of caterpillars and butterflies to little ones and it’s fun for the whole family.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Another wonderment by Eric Carle and a book that must belong in any family’s collection.
My toddler especially loves lifting the flaps to see what all the different animals “see” and to turn the page to do it again.
It’s colorful, engaging, and a super easy read.
Corduroy
This is such a sweet book about finding oneself and looking where you fit in.
If your toddler has trouble sitting through a longer read, this book might not be their favorite YET, but it’s too good of a classic to not have.
As a parent, reading this book always gives me the warm fuzzies – get it??? 😉
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Such a cute family friendly book that really takes you on an adventure.
Strap up and get ready for a fun time next time you sit down and read to your toddler!
Room on the Broom
I actually discovered this story from the short cartoon and fell in love with it.
Such a cute, sweet story about friendship and wonderful illustrations.
Your Baby’s first word will be Dada
Ahh, the great parody in life. Trying so hard to teach your baby his/her first word and it not going as planned.
A new classic must written by Jimmy Fallon. Your toddler will love it and you (and Dad) will most certainly appreciate the parental humor.
Everything is Mama
You can’t Dada without the book Mama as they perfectly compliment one another.
Grab them both for a fun bedtime ritual that ends in smiles and laughter – for both yourself and your toddler.
Goodnight Moon
Last but certainly not least is this classic.
Kinda odd. Kinda eerie in a sense. But everything about this book brings out the sleepy vibes and readiness for bed in the whole family.
It’s a great little story with colorful illustrations to unwind to at the end of the day.
Grab your favorites or grab them all, these books surely will not disappoint your toddler (and yourself for that matter).