30 Books to read before you're 2!

The books on this list have been selected by the Better Beginnings team of children's literature specialists and are favourites of many babies, toddlers and their families.

Updated January 19, 2024
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I went walking
Williams, Sue
Paper Book
A child discovers a parade of animals in this picture book filled with playful humor and rhyme. This simple, funny read-aloud follows a boy's exciting stroll through the countryside. The boy sees a black cat, then a brown horse, then a red cow, and so on, and before he knows it, he's being...
We're going on a bear hunt
Rosen, Michael
Paper Book
Beloved for more than 30 years, this award-winning classic from Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury celebrates the joys of an afternoon outdoors with family. We're going on a bear hunt. We're going to catch a big one. Will you come too? Join a father and his four...
A is for ant
Priddy, Sam
Paper Book
Take a first look at the amazing world of ants in this beautifully illustrated non-fiction picture book, a perfect first gift for babies and toddlers. The friendly, read-aloud text and exciting illustrations by Kate Slater will have young nature-lovers smiling in no time as they...
Press here
Tullet, Hervé.
Paper Book
The longest-running picture book on the New York Times bestseller list! "Tullet's brilliant creation proves that books need not lose out to electronic wizardry; his colorful dots perform every bit as engagingly as any on the screen of an iPad.... The joy is...
That's not my parrot
Watt, Fiona
Paper Book
An exciting new title in the best-selling touchy-feely series. Join five colourful parrots in the new jungle-themed addition to the much-loved That's not my series. Delight in the bold illustrations, the touchy-feely materials and spotting the familiar little white mouse. Usborne's flagship That's...
Hello hello
Wenzel, Brendan
Paper Book
Named a Best Children's Book of the Year bythe Washington Post, Amazon, Working Mother, and more! Now available in a board book edition for the very youngest readers to enjoy, Hello Hello explores all aspects of seeing...
Dear zoo
Campbell, Rod
Paper Book
Lift the flaps and see what has been sent - it's bound to be a surprise! And just when you think they'll NEVER get it right, they send the very best, most perfect pet of all . . . A bestselling lift-the-flap book for more than twenty-five years, Dear Zoois a perennial favourite and is...
The very hungry caterpillar
Carle, Eric
Paper Book
THE all-time classic picture book, from generation to generation, sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds! Have you shared it with a child or grandchild in your life? Carle's classic tale of a voracious caterpillar who eats his way through the days of the week and...
Shapes
Deneux, Xavier
Paper Book
Combining scooped-out die-cuts with raised, shaped elements, two new TouchThinkLearn books offer youngest learners an irresistible opportunity to explore their universe in a hands-on, multisensory way. See the image, trace its shape, say its name: these modes of perception combine in a dynamic way...
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's dairy
Dodd, Lynley.
Paper Book
Out of the gate and off for a walk went Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy . . . Hairy Maclary's friends join him for a walk until, with a sudden yowl, a wail and a howl, they all run off. What could have caused such a scatter of paws? ' A child's best...
Where is the green sheep?
Fox, Mem
Paper Book
Little ones are sure to be lulled off to a peaceful, sheep-filled sleep by this cozy book from acclaimed author Mem Fox. There are red sheep and blue sheep, wind sheep and wave sheep, scared sheep and brave sheep, but where is the green sheep? The search is on in this cozy, sheep...
Where's Spot?
Hill, Eric
Paper Book
For more than three decades, children have been looking everywhere for Spot in this classic, first-ever lift-the-flap book. Is he in the piano? Is he under the stairs? After finding other familiar animals, there he is in his basket!  
Hands can
Hudson, Cheryl Willis.
Paper Book
Hands can do all kinds of things! A rhyming text with eye-catching color photos offers just the encouragement young children need to explore their world -- hands on. Hands can hold things. Hands can mold things.  Hands can catch and hands can throw. ...
The daddy animal book
Cossins, Jennifer
Paper Book
Did you know that a daddy gorilla is called a silverback and a baby gorilla is called an infant? Or that a daddy turkey is called a gobbler and a baby turkey is called a poult? THE DADDY ANIMAL BOOK is an adorable and informative picture book about baby animals and their...
Noni the pony
Lester, Alison.
Paper Book
Meet Noni, a pony who's as zippy and fun as she is thoughtful and kind. Introducing Noni, the friendliest, funniest, and friskiest pony you'll ever meet! When she's not racing and chasing with her best pals Dave Dog and Coco the Cat, she's busy making sure they feel cozy...

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