Books for Toddlers

By the time kids are 2-4, they've often found their favourite books, which they want to read over and over again. Make sure that those favourites are quality books, which will stay with them. (If the book is good, you're less likely to resent reading it over and over, too).

Here are favourite books for toddlers, with links to some below. 

  • Brown, Margaret Wise. Runaway Bunny.
  • Flack, Marjorie. The Story About Ping.
  • Freeman, Don. Corduroy.
  • Gag, Wanda. Millions of Cats.
  • Keats, Ezra Jack. A Snowy Day.
  • Kellogg, Steven. The Day the Goose Got Loose, and others.
  • Kraus, Robert. Leo the Late Bloomer.
  • McCloskey, Robert. Make Way for Ducklings.
  • Munsch, Robert. Thomas’ Snowsuit, and others (some of his books are appropriate for this age group, while some are more appropriate for those a little older).
  • Numeroff, Laura. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and others.
  • Oxenbury, Helen. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
  • Potter, Beatrix. The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and others.
  • Rey, H.A. Curious George, and others.
  • Sendak, Maurice. Where the Wild Things Are.
  • Seuss, Dr. Hop on Pop, The Cat in the Hat, and others.
  • Slobodkina, Esphyr. Caps for Sale.
  • Waddell, Martin. Owl Babies.
  • Wood, Audrey. The Napping House.

One of the best books ever written for toddlers as far as I'm concerned, Audrey Wood's The Napping House has everything. Wonderful pictures, great rhymes, cozy family feelings, and more! Watch for the flea on every page, and listen to the rhythm.

The Napping House The Napping House

Cuddle up with this classic, bestselling bedtime story!"Will make [children] laugh -- and feel comfortable." -- USA Today"A d...

 

Kids will love learning how to say Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack super quick. This was my favourite book as a child, and my girls love it, too!

Make Way For Ducklings Make Way For Ducklings

"One of the merriest picture-books . . . told in very few words with a gravity that underscores the delightful comedy of the ...
 

Great at teaching your kids cause and effect, this book also is one they'll learn to "read" themselves!

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Relating the cycle of requests a mouse is likely to make after you give him a cookie takes the reader through a young child's...

Another book stressing before and after, with great hand motions and sound effects to go along with it. A classic!

Caps for Sale Caps for Sale

A Master Storyteller Creates an Enduring Legend of His OwnOver the centuries, the once stern rulers of Al-Rassan have been se...

A funny book about love and pets. Also great moral and great rhythm!

Millions of Cats Millions of Cats

Wanda Gag's enchanting tale of the very old man who sent off in search of one kitten and returned with "hundreds of cats, tho...

Many parents would prefer their kids didn't like this book. It seems scary, too big, and kind of strange. But kids have loved it for more than 30 years (you probably did, too, as a kid! I know I did). So here it is:

Where the Wild Things Are Where the Wild Things Are

This book holds so much sentiment and memories for folks in their twenties and early thirties - the people just starting to h...

If you want an email copy of my entire booklist, click here, and then enter "booklist" in the comments section. 

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