Yes, there are the terrible twos, and the three-nagers – toddlers are at that stage when they are outgrowing their baby-ness and learning to both appreciate (and be overwhelmed by) the world. This is an exciting, if exhausting, time for parents, so getting a good book to read with them is an ideal way to engage these fast-growing (and often fast-moving!) little ones. Books for toddlers reflect their developmental stage – they are fascinated by being able to touch, smell, see and taste with all their growing senses. Toddlers are also growing emotionally, so simple, rhyming texts that make complex emotions and ideas more accessible and often couched with humor are particularly appealing. There is no better sound in this world than the gurgle of a toddler’s laugh and the cry of “Again, again, let’s read it again!” Read on for a list of toddler books that will make you and your toddler cry, laugh, touch, and feel…ALL the feels.
ABC Books
There’s no better way for a child to begin learning language than being read to and in a way that is truly engaging and fun. Check out these books for learning the alphabet – and learning other ideas along the way too.
Educational Board Books
For toddlers, it’s not just about the ABCs – numbers, colors, shapes and sizes – are all ways children learn to make sense of the world around them. Learning about them through illustrated book characters? Even better!
Creative Books
Need a change of pace? Toddlers love repetition, color, sensation and sound. However, some children find beauty in simplicity and many can be encouraged to think more deeply and introspectively. Try some of these more experimental books – the unusual ideas and artistic styles will be a breath of fresh air on your child’s bookshelf. And possibly, encourage even more creativity and critical thinking.
Sound Books
If your little ones are already honking, tooting or quacking along with their books, they will be delighted to be able to hear the books, not just when a grown-up reads it, but when they do too! Toddlers love their growing sense of agency – being able to solicit a sensation all on their own. These books aren’t just sound toys – these fun and educational narratives have buttons to push so that toddlers learn to follow the story arc and play the sounds exactly when it makes the most sense. Best of all? Toddlers can keep playing with this book long after the parent has gone to bed!
Funny Books
There are plenty of silly books for toddlers – but this roundup of books is particularly giggly since kids will see themselves in these familiar situations and laugh even more. Even better – they will learn some life lessons along the way!
Classic Books
Many parents will immediately think of Dr Seuss, Goodnight Moon and Harold and his Purple Crayon as some timeless classics for children. If you’ve exhausted your repertoire, try these more recent book series who have also become classics for the twenty-first century and have been entertaining children for the last twenty years.
Nonfiction Board Books
It’s never too early to start introducing children to nonfiction! There are some excellent new biography board books that introduce little ones to ideas and people that have shaped the world, inspiring them and teaching them about concepts and story arcs that will be sure to come in handy when they grow older.
These are just 20 of the thoughtful, funny and poetic books that a whole range of toddlers will appreciate! Which ones do you think you and your little one will read again and again?
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