books for TODDLERS

One to three-year-olds love books about their favorite things - cars, trains, pets, playtime, etc. and a good lift-the-flap book. They'll also begin naming familiar pictures and working on their animal sounds along with you.

While two and three-year-olds may begin to sit for slightly longer stories, books encouraging physical activity and caregiver interaction help keep them engaged and foster a love of reading. Below are my tried and true favorites!

what we're reading now

books for 12-18 months

Babies One the Go by Linda Ashman

Inside, outside, fast, or slow, babies moved and carried all kinds of ways.

Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

Repetitive phrases and fun flaps help baby find the perfect pet.

In My Ocean by Sara Gillingham

Sweet message and finger puppet make for a fun and interactive read.

Red Light, Green Light by Yumi Heo

Fun flaps, rhymes, and bright colors.

I Get Dressed by David McPhail

Animals show off familiar activities, including putting on snazzy underpants.

I Like It When... by Mary Murphy

From dancing to holding hands, all the things babies like to do with the ones they love.

Baby Parade by Rebecca O'Connell

Wave to the babies as they go by in wagons, backpacks, and on foot.

The Baby Goes Beep by Rebecca O'Connell

Fun sounds and actions for baby. Be prepared to read it over and over again!

Yummy Yucky by Leslie Patricelli

Spaghetti is yummy, worms are yucky and other fun food discoveries.

Alligator Bear Crab by Lesley Wynne Pechter

Introduce the alphabet with recognizable and unique critters.

Fiesta Babies by Carmen Tafolla

Bright colors and rhyming fun of celebrating babies and toddlers.

Books for 18 Months to 3 years

Where's My Teddy? by Jez Alborough

Has someone else lost a teddy in the woods today?

Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins

Eye-popping fishies with fun, curly-whirly, twisty-swirly vocabulary.

Freight Train by Donald Crews

Colorful train journeys through tunnels, cities, and over trestles.

Little Monkey Calms Down by Michael Dahl

Little Monkey is having a tough time. He feels sad, mad, and angry, but a deep breath and quiet song will calm him down for a better day.

Walter's Wonderful Web by Tim Hopgood

Walter the spider makes webs in wonderful shapes, but...whoosh! The wind blows them away. Can Walter make a web both wonderful and strong?

We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

A brave tale that will get kids moving and imagining different landscapes.

The Noisy Counting Book by Susan Schade

Two ducks said WAK WAK and the big frog said GA-DUNK!

Sheep in a Jeep

Rhythmic fun and mishaps with sheep in a red jeep.

Bear Has a Belly By Jane Whittingham

Name and describe animal body parts that you have, too!