Best Books for Toddlers

It's never too early for kids to fall in love with books. And finding stories that are captivating to look at and fun to hear when read aloud is half the battle. Here's a list of engaging toddler books for 2- and 3-year-olds that are filled with cute characters and easy-to-grasp storylines. Some are recent releases. Others have stood the test of time, having charmed the stroller crowd for generations. Many come in board book format. (For more surefire kids' books, be sure to check out our Picture Books and Bedtime Books lists.)

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Antiracist Baby Poster Image
BOOK

Antiracist Baby

age 2+

Meaningful how-to for raising equity-conscious kids.

By: Ibram X. Kendi (2020)
Bright Brown Baby Poster Image
BOOK

Bright Brown Baby

age 2+

Fun, bright celebration of Brown babies and their beauty.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Poster Image
BOOK

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

age 2+

Classic delights tykes with bright colors, gentle rhymes.

By: Bill Martin Jr. (1996)
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Poster Image
BOOK

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

age 2+

Colorfully illustrated alphabet rhymes.

By: Bill Martin Jr. (1989)
Cartoonish chicken singing
BOOK

Con Pollo: A Bilingual Playtime Adventure

age 2+

Fun, easy read-aloud introduces English and Spanish words.

Corduroy Poster Image
BOOK

Corduroy

age 2+

Sweet, heartwarming picture-book classic.

By: Don Freeman (1968)
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! Poster Image
BOOK

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!

age 2+

The perfect go-to-bed book for stalling kids.

By: Mo Willems (2006)
Everything Is Mama Poster Image
BOOK

Everything Is Mama

age 2+

Baby animals call all things Mama in cute word lesson.

By: Jimmy Fallon (2017)
Big machines smiling and working on a farm with a red barn
BOOK

Construction Site: Farming Strong, All Year Long

age 2+

Rhyming fun for big machines through all seasons on a farm.

The Going to Bed Book Poster Image
BOOK

The Going to Bed Book

age 2+

Sweet, silly board book makes bedtime fun and cozy.

By: Sandra Boynton (1982)
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site Poster Image
BOOK

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

age 2+

Charming bedtime book is magic for truck lovers.

Goodnight Moon Poster Image
BOOK

Goodnight Moon

age 2+

Ultimate going-to-bed book has stood the test of time.

By: Margaret Wise Brown (1947)
Happy to Be Nappy Poster Image
BOOK

Happy to Be Nappy

age 2+

Lighthearted tribute to Black girls' hair.

By: bell hooks (1999)
I Love You Always and Forever Poster Image
BOOK

I Love You Always and Forever

age 2+

Heartwarming, huggy mouse tale for tots.

By: Jonathan Emmett (2007)
In the Town All Year 'Round Poster Image
BOOK

In the Town All Year 'Round

age 2+

Few words help kids focus on many details and story lines.

Make Way for Ducklings Poster Image
BOOK

Make Way for Ducklings

age 2+

Kids and parents enjoy this story about family.

By: Robert McCloskey (1969)
Moo! Poster Image
BOOK

Moo!

age 2+

Silly read turns kids into masters of social interpretation.

By: David LaRochelle (2013)
Off to See the Sea Poster Image
BOOK

Off to See the Sea

age 2+

Charming bath time book shows the power of pretend.

By: Nikki Grimes (2021)
Pat the Bunny book cover: White cartoon bunny on peach background
BOOK

Pat the Bunny

age 2+

Enduring classic tots love to pat, scratch, and sniff.

By: Dorothy Kunhardt (1969)
Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go Poster Image
BOOK

Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

age 2+

Excellent vocab builder is also big wacky fun.

By: Richard Scarry (1974)