Best Books for Toddlers

Updated November 1, 2023
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
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...
Kitty's cuddles
Cabrera, Jane
Paper Book
How does Peacock cuddle? Feathery and bright. How does Big Bear cuddle? Safe and fluffy. Kitty is trying out all different kinds of animals' cuddles. But which is his favorite? The soft, warm snuggle of his baby brother. Welcoming a new addition into the family has never been cozier.Main character...
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...
Jamberry
Degen, Bruce.
Paper Book
This bestselling classic features a berry-loving boy and an endearing rhyme-spouting bear. The fun wordplay and bright paintings with lots of details for young readers to explore make Jamberry a perennial favorite. A small boy and a big friendly bear embark on a berry-picking...
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...
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...
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...
Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?
Martin, Bill
Paper Book
With more than two million copies sold, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? has opened up a world of learning to a generation of children. For this edition, created for the twenty-fifth anniversay in 1992, Bill Martin, Jr., restored his text to its original wording. And Eric Carle...
Touch the brightest star
Matheson, Christie
Paper Book
This interactive bedtime story proves nighttime isn't scary at all. The gentle journey from sunset to sunrise shows even the youngest children the magic of the nighttime sky--and lets them make magic happen! A companion to the popular and acclaimed Tap the Magic Tree. What...
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...
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.
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.<...
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...
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...
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...
Cat nap
Yuly, Toni
Paper Book
It's naptime, and Cat is ready for Kitten to settle down. But Kitten has other ideas! In this book filled with opposites (big and little, black and white, sleepy and awake) Toni Yuly proves once again--as she did with Early Bird and Night Owl--that simple...

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