There's nothing I love more than reading to children, especially toddlers. They LOVE being read to and the joy they get from a beautiful picture book just can't be replicated by an app or an eBook. If you're looking for some great books for toddlers, then this collection is for you. These toddler book recommendations are a collection of my personal favorites, as a parent and early years educator, and the recommendations of members of our Facebook group.
50 Great Books for Toddlers (recommended by teachers and parents!)
I often get asked about which books are best for toddler aged children, and it's always a hard question to answer. Narrowing it down to 50 great books for toddlers was actually really hard! In fact there are so many great books for toddlers and preschoolers that it's a trick task. I have just finished volunteering at our Kindy Book Fair, where I was introduced to even more fabulous toddler books to add to my must read (ok, must buy!) list.
I recently put the call out on our Instagram page asking for your favorite books and we had such a great response that I've decided to compile them all her for everyone to access. If you're interested in reading that post you can find it here. I've also added in a few classics, along with some of my personal favorites.
There really are no set rules when it comes to choosing books for toddlers, but some of the things that I like to look for are:
- rhyming books
- repetitive phrases
- pop up books or flap books
- board books
- beautiful pictures
Reading to toddlers is all about developing a love of books, not about teaching them to read. Focus on enjoyment and interaction. Ask questions, discuss the book and make it fun! You can find more about the importance of reading aloud to toddlers here.
If you are interested in buying these books, clicking the links will take you to Amazon, one of my favorite stores to buy books. If you're not already, make sure you sign up for a 30 day free trial of Amazon Prime to get free 2 day shipping on all orders. If you do shop on Amazon you can find this entire book list on Amazon HERE in my store.
50 of the best books for Toddlers
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Guess How Much I Love You
7. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
I Love You Through and Through
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad, Day
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?
I hope you enjoyed this list of 50 great books for toddlers. Narrowing down the list to only 50 was hard! If there's a book you think was left of the list, please let me know and I'll add it to our next list.
If you want to keep your toddler busy makes sure you subscribe to our weekly newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. You might also like to join our Toddler Facebook group.
Julia says
A fantastic line up of books for 'bored' toddlers! Won't be so bored after reading all these delights!!!
Kirsty says
Our favourite kids book is 'My Dad' by Charles Fuge. Even though Ezra is 7 now, we still love to read it together occasionally.
Fiona says
Preparation is the thing! Keep the idea of back to school positive and fun!
Scott Crumlin says
Keep the focus on the FUN they'll have when they get home in the afternoon!
jody buhagiar says
Clever mums know that a morning routine that works is the key to starting the day happy, prepared and ready to leave the house with a smile.
ashley packard says
A routine is really important. I have a little guy that gets distracted really easily, so this is something that really works for us too!
Susan Campbell says
Try to get everything ready the night before so you are not rushed in the morning.
Ronald Gagnon says
Best tip...talk to the grade one students very thoroughly about what they can expect, possible bullying and having complete respect n the teacher
Anne says
My favourite BTS trick is to get the kids back into a routine in the days leading up to their return to school. Things like getting them into bed earlier and up in the morning a little earlier (closer to school day times) and having them do their usual after school activities (chores, reading, play time etc.) each afternoon.
Julie says
This is a lovely list! I have about 10. I don't have any back to school tips cause my boy is 1 but I remember reading class lists and familiarizing myself with my schedule when I was in school.
Donna Bennett says
Remind them of the fun they have at school. The friends they often miss when on holidays that they can't wait to see again. Try and get back a little routine prior to starting back. earlier nights, getting up a little earlier in the morning. Go shopping for some new pencils, books or shoes great way to get them thinking in a school way again. Give them some input in to something different and inviting in the lunch box.
Louise M says
Starting early, nothing worse than the feeling of leaving everything til the last minute!
elle says
Loving this list!
Katrina Phillips says
Putting on a funny voice for different characters in the book holds the kids attention longer and makes reading a more enjoyable experience for the whole family.
sarah mary says
I find getting into a routine the week before school works really well. We will set alarms, eat breakfast and get dressed for the day and instead of heading off to school, we might go to the park or into town. Getting used to the alarm ringing and getting organised makes a big difference.
Sarah Shelley says
Prepare your kids a couple of days before, they get used to late to bed and school holiday treats galore. Gradually get them back to school routine, it's a godsend for waking up early and helps keep you all on the same team.
lynne lillington says
Let the kids pick there bags , lunch bags and book covers. Get them involved so they see school is fun. I always helped with tuckshop and reading help so I could see how they were coping.
carly says
get physically prepared early and also mentally prepared. Talk to your child about how their day at school will be structured etc so they can get an idea of what to expect. Let them know that they can tell their teacher if they need help
Maree Wood says
LOVE the list of books, they're all GREAT reading & any child would enjoy 🙂
Sacha Pech says
It's obvious; but being organised has just made my life so much easier during the morning rush to get kids to school and me to work. Making lunches the night before, placing uniforms out read so there's no 'Muuuummm where's my school shorts'. Mornings are a breeze now.
Sharon Markwell says
My best back to school tip revolves around being organised rather than running around like a chook with its head cut off. Forethought is premium in this crazy old world of ours.
Anna says
Great list! I'd add Corduroy to the list. My toddler loves it!
Melissa K says
Let the kids help choose and prepare lunches, it makes it more exciting for them.
ashna says
Get your routine going the week before school starts or returns so it's not so new on the first day.
sam says
Great list - I buy for friends and grandkids these days so I need the list prepared for me.
Deanne says
As a popular nanny to 3 of my 10 grandchildren (they were the only ones who lived close to us), reading during sleepovers, or when I was visiting them was a popular and loving time I had with the 3 girls. They have just moved interstate, sadly, so they were unable to take all their books, they had hundreds, but I have kept some of their favourites for when they come to visit.
It is my dream to replace all their books with new ones. The eldest, Briella sits down and reads to her sisters, she is 6 years old, she was in Kindy when she started reading and I think that is because mum, dad and nanny read to her every single night. She just loves reading. I am so proud of her. When they saw the books they had to leave behind - she cried her little heart out.
Nicole Walton says
A great selection of books. You have picked well. We have read some of these and would love to read the rest.
Shannon Wotton says
Label everything! Especially clothes. It's amazing what can go missing!
Melinda Bolitho says
My eldest starts Prep next year. We are nervous but excited! It will be a new routine for all of us. Can't wait to start covering and labelling books - early organisation is key - I have started looking at specials on stationery and books already!
Kristina S says
Try to make the first day back exciting. We like to go out for a special dinner the first day back. Suddenly my kids are looking forward to the day and seeing it in a new light. Be positive, be happy.
Judith Senese says
Be prepared. Make sure the school clothes fit, shoes aren't out grown and that a few nights before hand, the kids go to bed at a reasonable time.
Monique says
Organisation is the key. and like the scouts popular motto 'Be Prepared'
Kelly Ryan says
It only took me 7 years to learn to do away with contact and use book covers instead...genius!
Alysse Heiler says
Make peace with bribery... sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do, even if it is frowned upon!
faye says
What an awesome prize... Books are the future for our little folk... so important..
madelaine marko says
great list- lot's of golden oldies!
Elisabeth Martins says
Our BTS tips are to get the kids excited about going back to school by planning fun adventures after their first school day. This makes the process of going back to school easier for them.
Laura Scriven says
Organisation is key,
Lists and schedules make me happy.
The kids are trained up too,
So they know what to do.
Jen MacCulloch says
We always do a few run throughs and practice drills so they are a little prepared and a little less anxious. 🙂
Elizabeth Davey says
fabulous range of book topics listed
Jo Miller says
Our fridge is our whiteboard and we have a list the kid's tick off and if they get it all done they get a surprise treat in their lunchbox
Tatum Spencer says
I gave all my daughters picture books to her library a few years ago, but now I am due to give birth in 2 weeks and would love to have a wonderful array of beautiful books to read to my son
Kate says
This is a great list, we have about half of these cant wait to add to our collection.
Linda Courtney says
Get everything ready ahead of time. Makes things so much easier.
Jemma Yankos says
set the table night before for breakfast pack bags night before also
Lucy Leland says
Shop early - Most shops run out of the stationery you need well before school starts.
Amy Ginis says
Get things ready before time! have lunches packed the night before, uniforms ironed and ready, etc
Margaret Hollis says
Remind then that the days they spend at school can be some of the best days of their lives which they will remember for ever
Jan Morris says
we spend the afternoon before going back to school cooking up a storm of treats to pack in our lunchboxes. It makes for a lovely afternoon spent together and something to look forward to at school.
Renee Play-Based-Parenting says
wow what a list.
I will be checking a few on this that I haven't heard of before. they all look great
Kate Lloyd says
Fantastic list Carol!
Jen says
My son made me read brown bear brown bear until Iw anted to cry and we broke the book. He loved that one!! Thanks for this great list, visiting from the link up #OMHFF
kate @ livinglovinglaughing says
amazing collection!!! we love 'giraffes cant dance' around here - and many others 🙂
Kelly says
Great list of books, many of our favourites, but also some new ones for us.
Jaclyn says
So many of our favourites here too! And so many which I'll have to find a copy of! One of our favourites is 'This Little Piggy Went Dancing'. Lends itself to lots of interaction, actions and tickles, and then we make up our own versions too!
Emma says
The Book with no Pictures is classic - my 7 year old still can't get enough of it!
Chantay Carey says
Thanks for this awesome list. I'm doing 500 by 5 with my tot and I'm always looking for new book.ideas.
Pooja Patel says
My little one also loves stickman and the tiger who came to tea. She used to like the gruffalo and is currently enjoying the snail and the whale.