On our last family vacation, I had to move four pounds of board books from my suitcase into my carry-on to avoid overweight luggage charges. That’s how much my kids love books. I don’t know if I’m just lucky or if reading to them every day since they were born has had an impact—maybe both. But for some mums, story time…
Best Books for Toddlers
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Jamberry by Bruce Degan
A boy and a bear take a joyous romp through a fantasy land of berries. I never get tired of reading this one, thanks to the lilting rhymes, made-up words ("hatberry, shoeberry in my canoeberry") and vibrant illustrations, which show kids how much fun you can have when you let your imagination run wild.
Buy it: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
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Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney
Toddlers are just beginning to learn how to socialize and play with other kids, and it's not always smooth sailing. That's why I appreciate this story about a play date gone wrong between Llama Llama and Nelly Gnu, who have trouble taking turns and wind up in a fierce tug of war over a favorite toy. Holy llama drama!
Buy it: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
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Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? by Dr. Seuss
It's hard to choose just one Dr. Seuss title, but this book wins for interactivity, as Mr. Brown encourages kids to try sounding like the rain ("dibble dibble dopp"), horse feet ("klopp klopp klopp"), and more. By the time you've recapped all the silly sounds at the end, your child will likely be in a fit of giggles, so don't make this one the last before bed.
Buy it: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
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Press Here by Herve Tullet
Touching the pages is not just okay, it's required, as readers are implored to press on yellow dots, shake the book, and tilt it from side to side. The results are pure magic as your toddler "causes" the dots to multiply, change color, and grow in size. A terrific sequel (Mix It Up) shows what happens when you mix paint colors---a must for budding artists.
Buy it: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
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Hippos Go Berserk by Sandra Boynton
There are so many books about numbers and counting, so why not choose one driven by a delightfully silly story? Beginning innocently enough with one hippo all alone who calls two hippos on the phone, the hippos multiply until a wild, all-night hippo party erupts and must be dispersed come morning.
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Photo: Amazon
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Little Owl's Orange Scarf by Tatyana Feeney
Poor Little Owl---his mom knitted him a scarf, but it's too itchy and way too orange. His efforts to "accidentally" lose the offending scarf are continually thwarted until he's finally able to ditch it at the zoo. Rather than get mad, Mom lets him choose his own yarn at the store and they make a wonderful new scarf together. Toddlers who are just starting to assert their feelings and preferences can easily relate to Little Owl.
Buy it: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
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A Good Day by Kevin Henkes
Everyone has bad days and bad moods, but they don't have to last forever, as we learn in this spare and lovely story about a bird, dog, fox, and squirrel experiencing turns of fortune. Little brown squirrel, for example, drops her nut in a pond but later finds the biggest nut ever! For all of our toddlers who've ever skinned a knee, let an ice cream fall to the sidewalk, or lost a toy, A Good Day offers valuable perspective and reassurance.
Buy it: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
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Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
Ever met a toddler who wants what they want when they want it? Yeah, me neither! This story turns the tables, giving kids decision-making power over a persistent pigeon who desperately wants to be allowed to drive a bus. As the pigeon begs, pleads, threatens, bribes, and negotiates, kids have to hold their ground and deny the pigeon, making for a hilarious role reversal.
Buy it: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
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Potty by Leslie Patricelli
One of the best ways to begin the potty-training process is with storybooks. This sweet and funny tale, narrated by a toddler, starts with uncertainty ("Do I want to go in my diaper?") and ends in victory ("Tinkle, tinkle, toot. I did it!"). Patricelli's simple language and appealing illustrations connect instantly, making your job a whole lot easier.
Buy it: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
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Pizza at Sally's by Monica Wellington
Fantasy stories are great, but sometimes toddlers appreciate a little reality. This charming and easy to understand book explains where pizza ingredients come from and how pizza is made. After reading it a few million times, my daughter and I were inspired to try growing our own tomatoes and cooking up some fresh pies. Wellington has written similar books about making cookies, planting flowers, and farming apples that we also adore.
Buy it: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
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Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri
Hysterically funny and truly weird, this is a book older toddlers will beg for again and again. It's basically an instruction manual for throwing a dragon party, in which we learn that while dragons love tacos, they hate spicy salsa, so whatever you do, keep the toppings mild or face the consequences! (Sounds like these dragons might be toddlers, hmm?)
Buy it: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
