early childhood educators and experts share their favorite toddler books to add to your little learner’s library.
Childhood is a good time to create a reading ritual with your child. brings books to life with fun voices, sounds and motions. reread their favorites (as if you had a choice) and pause to let them finish the sentence or say the wrong word on purpose and see if they correct you. talk about the pictures on each page and describe what is happening. A positive reading experience that is fun and engaging helps your toddler develop early literacy skills, develop a lifelong love of reading, and foster a stronger bond with you.
Here are some of our favorite toddler books to add to your collection. Be sure to share your favorites below in the comments!
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everyone
written by liz garton scanlon
Featuring beautiful watercolor illustrations and a message of love and family life, this Caldecott Honors book explores different community settings through the eyes of a diverse family.
“You have beautiful art. the words are very lyrical (in fact, I’m working on adding a melody to it). and the message is of love and of living together in peace”. – seth pederson, teacher of young children at the state government center for early day learning
brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?
written by bill martin jr., illustrated by eric carle
This is a great book for all ages. introduces colors, animals, repetition and rhyme. Children love this book because of the singsong nature of the words and the beautiful pictures. it’s also easy for students to read along with the book the more they become familiar with it.
Submitted By: Trisha Satterfield, Pre-K Teacher in Early Day Learning at Phalen Leadership Academy
circus boat
written and illustrated by chris van dusen
The circus boat is sure to delight adults and little learner animal lovers alike. The lyrical story is fun to read and the charming illustrations offer plenty of details for little ones to discover. there’s even an animal hideout page to find.
Submitted By: Brittany Fortman, Communications Manager & commitment
dragons love tacos
written by adam rubin
Did you know that dragons love tacos? this fun story tells why dragons love tacos, but watch out for hot sauce!
“it’s fun and keeps kids interested if you read it passionately.” – alethia minzlaff, toddler teacher at lilly family day early learning center
good night construction site
written by sherri duskey rinker
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Written in poetic and colorful language, Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site offers the perfect way to unwind for kids who love everything on wheels.
Submitted By: Kirsten Eamon-Shine, Director of Early Learning for Indiana State Communications & commitment
shut up! a lullaby in Gaelic
written by carole gerber
Based on an old Gaelic song, an extended family prepares for a storm as the baby cries until everyone settles around the fire and the baby finally falls asleep.
“This story uses familiar rhythm and rhyme to help establish math skills. it is also a story that exemplifies compassion and family love.” – dawn johnson, early learning quality coach of the day
I love you because it’s you
written by liza baker, illustrated by david mcphail
A mother fox tells her little fox of her unconditional love for him while describing his many moods. a heartfelt message that also helps children identify and understand emotions.
“This book helps students learn to identify and express emotions. it also helps build self-esteem and strengthens relationships between the reader and those to whom it is read.” – trisha satterfield, pre-k teacher in early day learning at phalen leadership academy
I love you stinky face
written by lisa mccourt
Another story about the unconditional love of a mother for her son, but with a fun twist and not so cheesy. as the mother puts her son to sleep, she tells him that she loves him, but then her imagination runs wild and the reader embarks on the journey. what if i’m a big scary ape or a super smelly skunk? would you love me then
“this story depicts a bedtime ritual between a mother and her son in which she tells him that she will love him no matter what… even if he is a super stinky skunk named stinkface!” – Matt Miller, Center Director at the Federal Building for Early Day Learning
little blue truck
written by alice schertle
a wonderful story about a friendly blue trucker who helps his friends teach children a lesson in kindness. The little blue truck is ideal for helping young children identify animals and their sounds. It has a simple, rhythmic story that is short enough for young children, but has rich and charming illustrations that older children can develop. sure to be a favorite.
Submitted By: Brittany Fortman, Communications Manager & commitment
flame flame red pajamas
written by anna dewdney
We love the llama llama series for exploring various social and emotional themes. this particular story tackles bedtime trials and separation anxiety. wonderful illustrations bring feelings to life as her baby llama cries for her mom in the dark of her room. The reassuring message “Mom calls is always around, even if she’s not here” is easy for young children to understand and repeat when experiencing their own feelings of separation anxiety.
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“My student loves the story because of the rhyme and cute pictures.” – Larissa Freeman, Office Manager at IU Health West Day Early Learning
nelly gnu and dad too
written by anna dewdney
another anna dewdney favorite, this time for dads! an involved and caring father helps her daughter build a playhouse out of a cardboard box, takes her to the store, carries her on his shoulders, and cooks dinner. a great daddy daughter book with the same great illustrations as the llama llama series.
“shows gender roles different from what is considered typical”. – alethia minzlaff, toddler teacher at lilly family day early learning center
potty
written by leslie patricelli
Wordless but full of fun, “potty” takes your toddler through the potty process and the feelings and questions that come along with it. toddlers will laugh out loud as you act out all the faces the boy makes when he says he sits on the potty for the first time and waits for the “tinkle, tinkle, beep” to come. a great introduction to prepare for potty training.
“My daughter loves listening to me read this book or reading the book to herself. she loves to represent the different things that she sees in the illustrations. she has helped her a lot to prepare for potty training.” – trisha satterfield, pre-k teacher in early day learning at phalen leadership academy
raindrop, plop
written by wendy cheyette lewison
a vibrant spring story that follows a girl on a rainy day. she counts the raindrops to ten and then goes into the shower and counts down. The short, rhythmic text is easy for young children to memorize and gives them the opportunity to “read” it on their own. Charming, detailed illustrations are fun for little readers to glide through and discover nature.
“This book is great for counting, coloring, and looking at texture, nature, and other environments.” – christopher mccastle, office manager at the state government center for early day learning
the gruffalo
written by julia donaldson, illustrated by axel scheffler
A clever mouse takes a walk in the deep dark forest and meets a fox, an owl and a snake along the way. he outwits his enemies by inventing a terrible creature to ward them off: the gruffalo. With fun, rich illustrations and a surprising twist at the end, the gruffalo is sure to be a favorite.
Submitted By: Brittany Fortman, Communications Manager & commitment
where the wild things are
written by maurice sendak
a timeless classic perfect for the little ones. The Caldecott Medal-winning picture book Where the Wild Things Are tells the story of a boy named Max who was sent to bed after getting up to mischief of one kind or another.
“where the wild things are can be a great and captivating story! kids can help “roar their terrible roars” along with you!” – Matt Miller, Center Director at the Federal Building for Early Day Learning
what books excite your toddler? Add your family favorites in the comments below!
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