Suggested Reading for Toddlers

Suggested Reading for Toddlers (18 months - 3 years)

Updated April 24, 2025
M
Mount Laurel Library Ms. Hannah
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
I Like Trains
Hirst, Daisy
Paper Book
Daisy Hirst's charming ode to a toddler's love of trains, featuring her sweet signature artwork Whether sending toy animals on a journey around a model track or driving a cardboard-box locomotive, this little puppy really likes trains. All aboard! But best of all is riding a real...
One fox : a counting book thriller
Read, Kate
Paper Book
A stunning counting book and farmyard thriller from the brilliantly talented debut author and illustrator, Kate Read.One famished fox with two sly eyes is on the prowl . . . three plump hens had better watch out!The rich, close-up illustrations take the reader to the heart of the drama in this...
Tiptoe Tiger
Clarke, Jane
Paper Book
Tiptoe, tiger! Tara the tiger cub is wide awake and wants to play. But Tara's bouncing and pouncing keeps scaring all the other jungle animals away. Help Tara tread quietly through the jungle so that she can make her way home to her mom and settle down for bed.
Don't worry, little crab
Haughton, Chris
Paper Book
From the award-winning creator of Shh! We Have a Plan comes a vibrantly colorful story about mustering the courage to try something new. Little Crab and Very Big Crab live in a tiny rock pool near the sea. Today they're going for a dip in the big ocean. "This is going to...
Don't worry, Little Crab
Haughton, Chris
Paper Book
From the award-winning creator of Shh! We Have a Plan comes a vibrantly colorful story about mustering the courage to try something new. Little Crab and Very Big Crab live in a tiny rock pool near the sea. Today they're going for a dip in the big ocean. "This is going to...
The button book
Nicholls, Sally
Paper Book
This silly and sweet picture book introduces young children to colors through humor and clever interactive elements. For fans of Hervé Tullet's Press Here. Here's a button. I wonder what happens when you press it? Follow a group of animal friends as...
A polar bear in the snow
Barnett, Mac
Paper Book
A majestic polar bear heads out on a mysterious walk in a dazzling, playful collaboration from an exciting pair of picture-book creators. Follow a magnificent polar bear through a fantastic world of snow and shockingly blue sea. Over the ice, through the water, past Arctic...
Everybody in the Red Brick Building
Wynter, Anne
Paper Book
A fresh, urban take on bedtime stories in the spirit of The House That Jack Built and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, from debut author Anne Wynter and Caldecott Honoree Oge Mora. Everybody in the red brick building was asleep. Until . . . WaaaAAH! Rraak! Wake up! ...
One of these is not like the others
Saltzberg, Barney
Paper Book
One of these is not like that other--and that's great! This gently subversive picture book points out-- and celebrates!-- the differences between subjects. Barney Saltzberg's hilarious and delightfully direct text and simple illustrations introduce children to the concept...
Crunch, the shy dinosaur
Dunlap, Cirocco
Paper Book
From Cirocco Dunlap (This Book Will Not Be Fun) and Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner Greg Pizzoli (The Watermelon Seed) comes a charming, giggly read-aloud that illustrates the particular art of making a friend! Crunch is a lovely and quiet brontosaurus who has...
This is a book of shapes
Kraegel, Kenneth
Paper Book
The creator of King Arthur's Very Great Grandson and Green Pants switches gears with a slyly silly introduction to shapes--just watch out for the emus! First comes the circle. Then the square and the triangle. Then the . . . emu pushing a pancake wagon down a...
The Rainbow Snail
Akesson, Karin
Paper Book
A strikingly-designed early learning picture book introducing colors and a fabulous new character--the Rainbow Snail! Karin Åkesson's beautiful artwork and easy-to-read text combine to create a wonderfully interactive book to teach toddlers colors and a charming read-aloud children's book for...
Is This the Bus for Us?
Ziefert, Harriet
Paper Book
Patience pays off for Leo and his sisters as they wait for the right bus to take them to the park! Leo and his family are waiting for the bus, but each one that passes just isn't the right bus for them. First a red bus filled with a hen, a cow a duck, a goat and a horse, and...
Can You Do This?: An Imagination Play Book
Roy, Megan
Paper Book
"An exhilarating celebration of motion." -Kirkus Reviews An imaginative and interactive picture book that uniquely combines reading, counting, movement, and play for kids ages 2-5, providing a source of screen-free indoor entertainment perfect for quality time at home
Knock Knock: Who's There?
Hodgson, Rob
Paper Book
Get giggling with your little one as they tell you their very first jokes! Knock knock on the door and wait to be asked "Who's there?" before turning the page to discover a different googly-eyed animal with a funny punchline. This...
Eye Guess: A Forest Animal Guessing Game
Tildes, Phyllis Limbacher
Paper Book
Uncover eight animals in this lift-the-flap book. Use the clues to learn whose eyes are looking at you!
Honk honk woo woo
Garcia, Emma
Paper Book
Oh no! It's an emergency!! Call the emergency vehicles and see them speed along to help save the day. A fun look at police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and other rescue vehicles that fascinate preschoolers, with sounds they can join in with.
How We Eat
Fuente-Lau, Shuli de la
Paper Book
"★ Meaningful and inclusive." - Kirkus Starred Review Mealtime just got a whole lot more fun! HOW WE EAT helps families and educators discuss ability, culture, and food at home and in the classroom. Complete with family discussion questions and a guide detailing the...
Banana Bop!
Boynton, Sandra
Paper Book
Introduce little ones to their soon-to-be-favorite word with this seriously silly board book from the one and only Sandra Boynton. Banana Bop! is a book of few words--and most of them are "banana." But we challenge you to find a better word to repeat over and over again...
Watch Out! There's a Monster Coming!
Newson, Karl
Paper Book
Monster is hungry, and he's coming to find . . . you! He creeps through the streets, hunting for his favorite snack. You'd better hide because you know what he likes to eat. Something tasty, something sweet. It's . . . cake, of course!
Listen Up! Train Song
Allenby, Victoria
Paper Book
Where do the trains go? There and back. Let's sing a train song All down the track. Toddlers love trains and the noises they make. Listen Up! Train Song uses repeating verse and bright photographs to match this enthusiasm with a unique take on the conceptual sound...
Plant the Tiny Seed: A Springtime Book for Kids
Matheson, Christie
Paper Book
How do you make a garden grow In this playful companion to the popular Tap the Magic Tree and Touch the Brightest Star, you will see how tiny seeds bloom into beautiful flowers. And by tapping, clapping, waving, and more, young readers can join in the action! Christie Matheson...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.