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Best Books for Toddlers
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Updated November 1, 2023
Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium
Highland Park Public Library
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The going to bed book
Boynton, Sandra.
Paper Book
Getting ready for sleep is tons of fun in this iconic board book from author and illustrator Sandra Boynton. This classic bedtime story is just right for winding down the day as a joyful, silly group of animals scrub scrub scrub in the tub, brush and brush and brush...
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Kitty's cuddles
Cabrera, Jane
Paper Book
The most huggable 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 that...
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Hooray for birds!
Cousins, Lucy
Paper Book
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...
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Jamberry
Degen, Bruce.
Paper Book
Hatberry Shoeberry In my canoeberry Under the bridge And over the dam Looking for berries Berries for jam They're off...a boy and an endearing, rhyme-spouting bear, who squires him through a fantastic world of berries. And...
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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...
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Red house, tree house, little bitty brown mouse
Godwin, Jane
Paper Book
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...
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Kitten's first full moon
Henkes, Kevin.
Paper Book
This nationally bestselling picture book about a kitten, the moon, and a bowl of milk, written by the celebrated author and illustrator Kevin Henkes, was awarded a Caldecott Medal. From one of the most celebrated and beloved picture book creators working in the field today comes a...
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Hat on, hat off
Heras, Theo
Paper Book
Baby is getting dressed to go out. But as often as his big sister adds a new piece of clothing, he tosses his hat aside. It's time for this little one to go out. But which hat will he choose? Red hat, blue hat, striped hat, penguin hat, teddy bear hat? Once that decision is made,...
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It's a tiger!
LaRochelle, David.
Paper Book
Kids and parents alike will rejoice in this lively read-aloud picture book, as the main character runs into (and away from) a tiger over and over again as the plot gets sillier and sillier. Perfect for acting out while reading, It's a Tiger! offers just the right amount of excitement without...
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Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?
Martin, Bill
Paper Book
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...
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Touch the brightest star
Matheson, Christie
Paper Book
What happens while you're asleep With lush, beautiful watercolors and cut-paper collage, Christie Matheson reveals the magic of the nighttime sky using the same kinds of toddler-perfect interactive elements as her acclaimed Tap the Magic Tree. Wave good-bye to the sun, gently press...
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Lola at the library
McQuinn, Anna.
Paper Book
In this Lola Reads picture book, learn about the library, checking out books, and story time with Lola, as she discovers the joy of reading! Every Tuesday Lola and her mommy go to the library. Lola meets her friends there. They share books and don't have to be quiet all the...
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The watermelon seed
Pizzoli, Greg.
Paper Book
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.
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Goodnight, goodnight, construction site
Rinker, Sherri Duskey.
Paper Book
As the sun sets in the big construction site, all the hard-working trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest so they'll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play.<...
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Not now, cow
Sauer, Tammi
Paper Book
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 first...
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Little blue truck
Schertle, Alice.
Paper Book
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...
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The rice in the pot goes round and round
Shang, Wendy Wan Long
Paper Book
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...
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Is that wise, Pig?
Thomas, Jan
Paper Book
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...
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Polar bear's underwear
Tupera Tupera (Firm)
Paper Book
This is incredibly embarrassing but . . . Polar Bear has lost his underwear. Where could it be? Is that Polar Bear's underwear? On the page is a die-cut pair of underwear. Turn the page, and the wearer is revealed! No, that isn't Polar Bear's underwear. It's Zebra's underwear--the pair...
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Bear sees colors
Wilson, Karma.
Paper Book
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...
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Cat nap
Yuly, Toni
Paper Book
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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