Best Books for Toddlers

Updated November 1, 2023
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Kitty's cuddles
Cabrera, Jane
The most huggable board book a toddler will ever love from a master of picture-book artistry. Bear has a cozy, fluffy cuddle; Elephant, a big, strong cuddle; even Porcupine has a careful, prickly cuddle. But Kitty's brother hugs the best! Follow along Kitty's journey and learn...
Hooray for birds!
Cousins, Lucy
In an exuberant display of color, Lucy Cousins invites little ones to imagine themselves as brilliant birds. Birds of all feathers flock together in a fun, rhyme-filled offering by the creator of Maisy. From the rooster's "cock-a-doodle-doo" at dawn to the owl's nighttime...
Jamberry
Degen, Bruce.
Rollicking rhyme describes how a young boy is led by a larger-than-life bear on a breathtaking berry-picking adventure.
Red house, tree house, little bitty brown mouse
Godwin, Jane
A bit Each Peach Pear Plum, a bit Go, Dog, Go!, this read-aloud joy is deceptively simple yet packed with delights for the very young--a preschool standout deserving of modern-classic status. A little mouse makes her way around the world, and invites preschoolers...
Kitten's first full moon
Henkes, Kevin.
From one of the most celebrated and beloved picture book creators working in the field today comes a memorable new character and a suspenseful adventure just right for the very youngest. It is Kitten's first full moon, and when she sees it she thinks it is a bowl of milk in the sky. And she wants...
Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?
Martin, Bill
Celebrate the anniversary of this beloved children's book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck-- all parade across the pages of this delightful classic children's book, Brown...
Touch the brightest star
Matheson, Christie
Magic happens every night. It happens everywhere, from sunset to sunrise. It even happens when your eyes are closed. When you wave good-bye to the sun, fireflies start to blink outside, owls wake up in the forest, and stars shine above cities and...
Lola at the library
McQuinn, Anna.
The watermelon seed
Pizzoli, Greg.
With perfect comic pacing, Greg Pizzoli introduces us to one funny crocodile who has one big fear: swallowing a watermelon seed. What will he do when his greatest fear is realized? Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? This crocodile has a wild imagination that kids will love.
Goodnight, goodnight, construction site
Rinker, Sherri Duskey.
Not now, cow
Sauer, Tammi
In this hilarious picture book, all of the farm animals are ready for the seasons to change--but not Cow Rooster and his farm friends are ready for springtime play. But not Cow, who can't seem to dress for the weather. She's decked out in a parka and mittens as the...
Little blue truck
Schertle, Alice.
Beep! Beep! Meet Blue! Filled with truck sounds and animal noises, Little Blue Truck is a rollicking homage to the power of friendship and the rewards of helping others. A muddy country road is no match for this little pick-up--that is, until he gets stuck while pushing a dump truck out of...
The rice in the pot goes round and round
Shang, Wendy Wan Long
Sing along to this delicious twist on "The Wheels on the Bus" and celebrate the food, laughter, and love of a multigenerational family meal! * "Artfully brings an authentic expression of family love...an utterly charming [twist] to a familiar tune." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred...
Is that wise, Pig?
Thomas, Jan
Cow and Pig are helping Mouse make a delicious soup, but Pig keeps trying to add ingredients that don't make sense! Mouse is making a yummy pot of soup and Cow and Pig are helping add ingredients. Mouse adds four tomatoes, Cow adds five potatoes, and Pig adds...six galoshes?! Is...
Polar bear's underwear
Tupera Tupera (Firm)
Polar Bear has lost his underwear! Where could it be? There's only one thing to do: Remove the book's underwear-shaped bellyband to find the missing pair! Is that Polar Bear's underwear? No, it's Zebra's--see the colorful stripes? What about that itty-bitty pair? No, those belong to Butterfly! And...
Bear sees colors
Wilson, Karma.
Explore colors with Bear in the first of a new concept picture book series from the New York Times bestselling creators of Bear Snores On. Colors, colors everywhere! Can you find colors just like Bear? Karma Wilson's playful text and Jane...
Cat nap
Yuly, Toni
Cat loves to nap. If only he could find a good resting place to hide from playful (and wide awake) Kitten! Opposites and hide-and-seek make this a fun story for naptime -- or anytime. In this book filled with opposites (big and little, black and white, sleepy and...

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