(please note that there are several affiliate links included below. Read my disclosure here. If you click on these links and go on to make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the cost. I only link to products that I genuinely recommend – never just to make money. Clicking on these links doesn’t cost you a single penny extra, but it helps me to keep Orison Orchards running, so I appreciate it greatly!)
The earlier you can instill a love of books and reading, the better. It’s great to read with your babies from a young age and keep a basket of board books with your toddler’s toys. Board books are ideal for small, chubby hands, and are sturdy enough to withstand being chewed on and seriously abused. Toddlers like books with rhythm, that encourage movement, and their very favorite part of reading is always that it is a fun time spent with mom. Your toddler will want to read these books with you over and over and over, so they should definitely be books that you find enjoyable and funny as well. I’ve raise eight toddlers, and the books below are still my favorites, which is really saying something!
All of Sandra Boynton’s board books are absolutely wonderful! You will laugh and dance along with your toddler, and you won’t mind reading them a million times! I’ve only included six here, but you can find more on Amazon.
A shy hippo makes a big impact in this Sandra Boynton classic.
Serious silliness for all ages. Artist Sandra Boynton is back and better than ever with completely redrawn versions of her multi-million selling board books. These whimsical and hilarious books, featuring nontraditional texts and her famous animal characters, have been printed on thick board pages, and are sure to educate and entertain children of all ages.
A wacky crew of hippos, cats, pigs, and cows lead kids from a quiet One to a “LOUD LOUD LOUD” Ten-and back to quiet One again. From Sandra Boynton, the bestselling series of extra-big, extra-fat, and extra-fun board books, here is One, Two, Three!, a counting book as only Sandra Boynton could do a counting book. Filled with her humorous, colorful drawings and lively text, One, Two, Three! is an adventure with numbers that kids and their parents will love.
2 is two sisters making a wish
3 is three swallows up in the sky
4 is four sheep nibbling rye
From beloved author-illustrator and Caldecott honoree Tasha Tudor, this sweet counting book is now available as a Classic Board Book! Young ones will delight in the simple text that counts from one to twenty, and they’ll be captivated by the charming illustrations of animals, children, and nature.
It’s bedtime at the zoo, and all the animals are going to sleep. Or are they? Who’s that short, furry guy with the key in his hand and the mischievous grin?
Good night, Giraffe. Good night, Hyena.
Sneak along behind the zookeeper’s back, and see who gets the last laugh in this riotous good-night romp. This book is a must-have for all toddlers.
This board book edition is the perfect size for little hands.
In simple, powerful words and vibrant illustrations, Donald Crews evokes the rolling wheels of that childhood favorite: a train. This board book features sturdy pages and is just the right size for little hands.
This Caldecott Honor Book features bright colors and bold shapes. Even a child not lucky enough to have counted freight cars will feel he or she has watched a freight train passing after reading Freight Train.
Including a special feature, dye cuts, this beautiful board book edition, perfect for teaching the days of the week, offers readers an interactive experience.
“The very hungry caterpillar literally eats his way through the pages of the book—and right into your child’s heart. It is gorgeously illustrated and brilliantly innovative. Toddlers love this book!
Don Freeman’s classic character, Corduroy, is even more popular today then he was when he first came on the scene in 1968. This sweet story of a small teddy bear waiting on a department store shelf for a child’s friendship has appealed to young readers generation after generation.
I’ve only listed this, our favorite Corduroy story, but there are dozens more stories about Corduroys adventures at Amazon.
Full of fun, nonsense rhymes and whimsical portraits of the sheep, this story is guaranteed to entertain. Pleasing and lighthearted, this has great appeal for young readers.
In this hilariously simple book, Max learns a more sophisticated word than the ones his sister tries to teach him.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt takes the reader on an adventure they’ll never forget. Children love the obstacles the characters run into on their way to finding a bear. Each page has beautifully illustrated pictures with breezy colors. It’s good for young children who are learning to talk, as well as, those who are learning to read. The story uses repetitive language which is wonderful for young readers and children who are building their vocabulary. We like to do the actions with the characters as they go through the wilderness and bring the adventure to life.
Whether it’s a hairy lion, bumpy lizard, smooth dolphin, or sticky tree frog, the inviting tactile pages of Touch and Feel Wild Animals will leave toddlers entranced. Simple text and bright pictures provide talking points for parents and children, and the sturdy format is perfect for little hands to hold and feel, touch and explore, over and over again.
A timeless classic that continues to win over the hearts of children. The simple, rhythmic text and expressive illustrations are just as appealing today as they were when I was a child.
This is a hardcover, rather than a board book, but I like to familiarize my toddlers with this format as well, teaching them to touch and turn pages gently. We keep these books out of reach and teach our children that they are not toys to play with or chew on. It’s good for toddlers to begin experiencing ‘real’ books young, on Mommy’s lap.
These are some great book suggestions!! Have you ever seen usborne’s That’s not My series? Those are our favorite
https://c7169.myubam.com/search?q=That’s+not+my
Good one to add to the mix.
Can’t wait to check out some of these others.
Alyssa
Those are adorable toddler books, Alyssa! We have the ones that came with little cat and puppy finger puppets, and several of the duck ones. I’ll have to check out the rest.