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
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
I went walking
Williams, Sue
Paper Book
I went walking. What did you see? I saw a black cat Looking at me. These catchy stanzas frolic through the Australian author Sue Williams's simple, funny read-aloud picture book that tracks a crazy-haired boy's stroll through the countryside. The boy sees a black...
Vamos a cazar un oso
Rosen, Michael
Paper Book
In this classic English rhyme, a father, four children, and a dog embark on a bear hunt that takes them through fields, across a deep river, and into a dense forest to find a bear in a cave.
Dear zoo : a lift-the-flap book
Campbell, Rod
Paper Book
"Dear Zoo" has been a laptime favorite for more than a decade and this handsome new classic board book edition makes it sturdy enough for even the youngest fans to enjoy. The story starts with a letter to the zoo requesting a pet. But as the colorful flaps reveal, most of the animals that arrive are...
The very hungry caterpillar
Carle, Eric.
Paper Book
THE ICONIC #1 BESTSELLER * The all-time classic starring the world's favorite caterpillar! This beautiful, sturdy board book is a perfect gift for new babies, baby showers, birthdays, and other new beginnings! One of The Atlantic's 65 Essential Children's Books ...
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...
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. ...

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