Books for Babies and Toddlers

Reading to babies and young toddlers is a great way to kickstart their early literacy and early learning. At this stage, pick books that engage babies and toddler with interactive elements, bright colours and simple language. Pick books with things to touch and feel, things to lift and turn, bright colours with lots of contrast, simple rhymes and fewer words. This list has a variety of books to capture the attention of babies and toddler.

Updated May 29, 2025
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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...
Your nose! : a wild little love song
Boynton, Sandra.
Paper Book
You can tell everybody I told you so. It's the greatest little nose I know. Starring a little fox child and a big fox parent, here's a loving ode to terrific noses of all kinds. Your Nose! is a year-round valentine in the tradition...
Dear zoo : a lift-the-flap book
Campbell, Rod
Paper Book
Rod Campbell's classic lift-the-flap book Dear Zoo has been a firm favorite with toddlers and parents alike ever since it was first published in 1982. Young readers love lifting the flaps to discover the animals the zoo has sent--a monkey, a lion, and even an elephant! But...
Peck, peck, peck
Cousins, Lucy.
Paper Book
"Not only has irresistible charm but in Cousins's signature fashion, there's a lot to learn. . . . There's a world of interactive enjoyment here." -- Booklist (starred review) Little woodpecker has just learned to peck. He's having so much fun that he peck-peck-pecks right...
I love you like yellow
Beaty, Andrea
Paper Book
I love you like yellow. I love you like green. Like flowery orchid and sweet tangerine . . . Love comes in many forms. It can feel tart as lemonade, or sweet as sugar cookies. Slow as a lazy morning, or fast as a relay race. Love is there...
Little Blue Truck's springtime
Schertle, Alice.
Paper Book
Celebrate the beauty of springtime with the #1 New York Times best-selling Little Blue Truck! Beep! Beep! Little Blue Truck is out for a ride with his good friend Toad. The sun is shining and the flowers are blooming--it's a beautiful spring day! Who will they see along the way? ...
Grumpy Monkey says no!
Lang, Suzanne.
Paper Book
In this original board book that tackles a common toddler issue, the bestselling character finds out that "no!" isn't always the best answer. Does Jim Panzee want to go for a walk? No! How about having a playdate? No! Not even to eat a banana? No! Grumpy Monkey just wants to say...
Too many carrots
Paper Book
The bestselling picture book that Publisher's Weekly calls "simultaneously sassy and sweet." Rabbit loves carrots and that's a big problem! In this phenomenal bestseller, Rabbit loves carrots a little too much. In fact, his carrots are crowding him out of his cozy burrow. When his friends offer to...
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...
Cranky pug
Blabey, Aaron.
Paper Book
A hilarious book about learning to share from the much loved, awarding winning author and illustrator Aaron Blabey.Pig is a greedy and selfish Pug. He has all the bouncy balls, bones, and chew toys a dog could ever want yet he refuses to share with his poor friend, Trevor. Little does he know...
You are light
Becker, Aaron
Paper Book
With a wondrously simple die-cut book, the Caldecott Honor-winning creator of the Journey trilogy brings his talents further into the light. This is the light that brings the day. Open this beautiful book to find a graphic yellow sun surrounded by a halo of...
Big red barn
Brown, Margaret Wise
Paper Book
Margaret Wise Brown's simple, rhythmic text about the cycle of a day on a farm, where a family of animals peacefully plays and sleeps, has charmed generations of children. This board book edition features sturdy pages and is just the right size for toddlers. As in her classic...
Duck & Goose, how are you feeling?
Hills, Tad.
Paper Book
Duck and Goose help toddlers learn about their feelings in this fun and playful board book! Now an animated series, available to stream on Apple TV+! Duck and Goose are back in their third board book appearance. All the favorite characters, including Bluebird and Thistle,...
Ellie in color
Wu, Mike.
Paper Book
Ellie and her signature paintbrush guide the littlest readers through vibrant colors in this adorable board book by author-illustrator Mike Wu, illustrating how colors come together to create a beautiful picture.
8 little planets
Ferrie, Chris.
Paper Book
A delightfully fun, fact-filled planetary tale from the creator of the Baby University series! Travel around the solar system and celebrate what makes each planet unique! From Neptune to Mercury and all the planets in between, each one is different and each one is happy to be...
Construction site
McDonald, Jill
Paper Book
Learn from home and explore the world with these fun and easy board books! Fans of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site will love this vehicle-filled adventure in the hit Hello, World! board book series. Toddlers can learn all about the busy world of a construction site,...
Rainforest animals
McDonald, Jill
Paper Book
Learn from home and explore the world with these fun and easy board books! This bright and exciting Hello, World! board book teaches toddlers all about the amazing world of a rainforest-with easy-to-understand facts about the incredible animals who make their home there.

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