30 of the Best Books for 1-2-3 Year Olds
Reading with your toddler opens their little minds to the magic of new people, places, and things all in the comfort of your lap! It is one of the best things you can ever do for your child and quite honestly my very favorite part of the day. I wanted to share our current list of 30 best books to read with your toddler.
Our list will grow and change over the years I’m sure, but for now, these are some of the books we enjoy reading each and every night.
Some of my blog posts may contain affiliate links, from which I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. More info on that in our disclosure and privacy policy.
Reading Books With Your Kids Is A Certain Kind Of Magic
I remember my Mom reading to me when I was little and thinking that it was the most magical and safest place on earth, listening to her soothing voice whisk me away to all those fascinating far-off places. Thankfully, I even kept some of my childhood books just in case I had a little one of my own.
She cultivated a love of reading within me that has lasted my whole life.
Finally, now, my time has come to pass it along.
Now that The Bug (my son in case it’s your first time here) is almost three years old, we have made it to the point where his favorite pastime isn’t chewing on the corners of the book. He gets right into the story now and that makes it all the more fun for us both.
I swear, I can see the wheels turning in his head as he flips through the pages, soaking in the colorful, fun illustrations and deciphering the letters and words. It’s like I can almost hear his brain expanding as he sets sail for new horizons on a pirate ship or explores The 100 Acre Woods with Winnie The Pooh.
30 Of The Best Books To Read With Your Toddler
Big Board First 100 Words by Roger Priddy. One of the first books we started with, 100 first words with bright images of everyday objects to help build your little one’s vocabulary. The first on our list and a great place to start. Absolutely one of the best books to read with your toddler!
There is also a box set featuring words, animals, numbers, colors, and shapes!
Alphaprints: Colors by Roger Priddy. We thought this one was so cool when we saw it at Costco and had to grab it. Bright bold colors, a different animal for each color and little everyday objects hidden within the pictures. The pictures are all raised and textured to feel like fingerprints. Great for little ones discovering the sense of touch! Super cute book.
Good Night Chicago by Adam Gamble. Sent to us by a dear friend in Chicago, this one has been loved so much that I am in need of a new copy! Discover the sights and landmarks of the Windy City from the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel to Wrigley Field and more!
This book is part of the bestselling Good Night Our World series, which includes hundreds of titles exploring amazing locations in a lovely rhythmic fashion. I can’t wait to read some of the others, especially Good Night Canada and Good Night Toronto.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar. A wonderfully simple story by the beloved author and illustrator Eric Carle about the very hungry caterpillar and how he ate and ate and ATE!!! Then had a long nap and woke up looking a LOT different. You’ll never guess the ending! Actually, ALL his books are favorites around here. My friend Robin gave us her slightly loved copies from her girls who were getting a bit older. They wanted our Bug to have them.
Also by Eric Carle:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? (Written by Bill Martin Jr.)
Canada ABC by Paul Covello. A tour of our great country from A to Z with vivid pictures of some of our great national pastimes and culture. From totem poles and mounties to hockey players and the Zamboni machine!
Kids Christmas Books About Giving and the Sprit of Christmas
15 Fun & Sweet Emotions Picture Books To Help Kids Learn About Feelings
I would be amiss if I didn’t include Winne The Pooh by A.A. Milne. This takes me back to my childhood and I love reading about these beloved characters to him!
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. A gift at our baby shower (we did a book and diaper raffle to start his library off on the right foot!) This is a modern classic and has over 13 million copies sold worldwide! The story of a brave little mouse who outsmarts all the creatures in the forest who want to have him for lunch! I think I have read this one a million times already but still love it!
Don’t Be Afraid Little Pip! by Karma Wilson. Pip just wants to learn how to fly like all the other birds she sees, and as much as she tries, she can’t! She is afraid to learn the one thing that all penguins must do…swim! A great story about overcoming the fear of trying new things! This is one of three Little Pip books by Wilson and they are all really adorable.
I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love by Nancy Tillman. Also a gift at our shower, the first time I read this I bawled… (hello hormones!) All kidding aside though, a sweet book about how you would know your child anywhere and that they are always loved.
You’re Here For A Reason by Nancy Tillman. We haven’t bought this one yet but it sounds really sweet too. Letting kids know not only that they are loved but also how much they matter in this world.
You May Also Like: Reading With Preschoolers-Tips For Parents
I Love You Because You’re You by Liza Baker. A mama fox tells her baby fox how she loves him all the time, even when he’s silly or angry or bold. An easy-to-read board book with adorable illustrations and padded covers.
The Little Red Hen by Carol Ottolenghi. In this beloved tale, the Little Red Hen makes delicious bread that her lazy friends can’t resist. Children will eagerly continue reading to see what she will do when everyone wants a taste!
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. A classic. “I’ll love you forever
I’ll like you for always As long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.” If you’re a Munsch fan, you just have to have this one. If you’ve never heard of him, give him a try.
Mud Puddle by Robert Munsch
The story of Jule Ann vs. the mud puddle. Poor kid had to have 5 baths in one day!!! Bug knows this one off by heart and asks for it almost every night. “Poor Jule Ann!” He says!
Alligator Pie by Dennis Lee. Short and simple with a fun little rhyme. A perfect book for when the attention span is not quite there yet for sitting through long stories.
The Pete The Cat Series by James Dean has 16 books! We are currently stuck on I Love My White Shoes and Pete at the The Beach! These are My First I Can Read books which are excellent for shared reading. Dean’s books are some of the very best books to read with your toddler!
Goldilocks And The Three Bears by Caralyn Buehner. A fun little classic fairy tale. We love doing the voices of the Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear for added giggles.
Space Song Rocket Ride by Sunny Scribens. Comes with an Audio CD turning storytime into a sing-and-dance-along! Bug is SUPER into the solar system right now so this one was right up his alley! I picked up this one when I was doing a craft show and I cannot wait to get more of these Barefoot Books Sing-a-longs. So fun and educational too! Update! I ended up buying Port Side Pirates and I think I love it even more than the space-themed one…Arrrrgggg Matey!
The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith. Did you guys see the viral video of the Scottish Granny reading this to her grandchild? You have to wait for it but.. at the end she was laughing so hard and you can’t help but laugh right along with her. I nearly peed my pants the first time I saw it. Anyway, I had to get it!! They were completely sold out in these parts, but the author is Australian so I reached out to a friend of mine who lives down under. She hooked me up! (This post is a few years old now so you can easily find the Wonky Donkey now on Amazon.)
Willbee The Bumblebee by Craig Smith. About a little bee who becomes unraveled until his bare butt is showing! Until a beautiful butterfly finds a way to help him get his black and yellow suit back.
Count To 10 With A Mouse by Margaret Wise Brown. Help this little mouse count to 10 as he runs through the pages of the book. A great little rhyming story to help teach your toddler numbers.
Rory The Dinosaur: Me And My Dad by Liz Climo. Rory is a little dinosaur who wants to go on a big adventure, all by himself! What he doesn’t know is that his dad is following behind him, always keeping a watchful eye. A great book for Dads to read with their little ones!
Way Out in the Desert by T.J. Marsh. This is hands down our go-to right now! A story of all the animals is the desert with hidden numbers to find in each picture. One of the most fun books to read with your toddler! Actually, try singing it to the tune of Beethoven’s Ode To Joy, it’s even better!
There you have it! A great list of the best books to read with your toddler to get you started!
So open a book with your child today and open both your minds to a whole new world. You as a parent can instill a love of reading quite early. After all, you are their first and most important teacher! They grow way too fast, as we all know, so spend this quality time together. I promise you won’t regret it.
What are some of your favorites to read with your kids? Let us know in the comments! We’re always on the lookout for new fun and fantastic books to read.
Until next time, K.
Kelly Blakely is the founder and creative force behind Just Our View From Here. As a first-time mom over 40, she brings a fresh perspective to parenting and family life on her blog. Kelly also explores a wide range of lifestyle topics in her writing, including fashion, beauty, self-care, and well-being.
You May Also Enjoy:
Benefits Of Taking Your Kids To The Library
11 Compelling Reasons to Bring Your Kids to the Library A Library is a magical…
Anti-Bullying Books to Promote Kindness and Empathy in Children
Bully-Proof Your Reading List: 17 Picture Books for kids In honor of National Bullying Prevention…
Thankful Books For Kindergarten Read Alouds
Books About Being Thankful and grateful For Kindergarten & Grade 1 These kids’ picture books…
Reading With Preschoolers-Tips For Parents
Are You Wondering How To Raise A Reader? When it comes to kids and reading,…
Space Books For Toddlers And Preschoolers To Blast Off Learning!
30 Preschool Books About Space And Astronomy Updated Feb. 9, 2023 Toddlers and preschoolers who…
Best Books To Read To 5 Year Olds
Reading with your kids can be so much fun! If you enjoy reading with your…
14 Meow-Mazing Children’s Books About Cats
Awesome Outer Space Books For Toddlers and Preschoolers
More Great Read Aloud Books for 2-3 Year Olds
Not sure what your child’s reading level is? You can get a reading assessment and a ton of other awesome literacy resources for kids ages 2-12 with Reading IQ: Age of Learning. They offer the first month totally free so there’s nothing to lose!
More Resources: Potty Training Books
During potty training, or actually, before you even start, it’s a great idea to read books on the subject to introduce your child to the concept. So, if you are currently riding the potty train, here are a few choices for you to check out!
The Potty Book For Boys by Alyssa Satin Capucilli. Before we started potty training, we read this one constantly to introduce Bug to the concept. Follows the trials of a little boy named Henry as he learns to use the potty like a big boy. For all you girl Moms out there, there is one specifically for girls too!
Caillou: Potty Time by Joceline Sanschagrin. Truthfully, we NEVER watch the Caillou cartoons but this book was also really helpful with introducing the concept of potty training.
Potty Animals by Hope Vestergaard. Beyond adorable, a cute group of animals learning about toilet etiquette!
Related: Oh Crap Potty Training {Our Tips for SUCCESS!}
Just Our View From Here is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
My favorite for both my girls was Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.
That’s probably a good idea! Lol I will check that one out. Thanks!