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July 26, 2013 | 48 Comments

50 Books For 2 Year Olds

I wrote this toddler book list almost ten years ago, so it was time for an update. Check out my updated list of best books for 2-year-olds with the additional 10 books for 2-year-olds I’ve added!

books for 2 year oldsThe best way that you can promote reading with your children is to read every single day starting as soon as possible. These 50 books are our favorite books for 2-year-olds. It was tough to narrow it down to 50. Is your favorite on the list? If not, add the title in the comments, and we’ll keep this list growing. Click through the links to see our original review!

 

  1. Planes by Byron Barton
  2. How Big Is a Pig? by Claire Beaton & Stella Blackstone
  3. In the Town All Year-Round by Rotraut Susanne Berner
  4. Secret Seahorse by Stella Blackstone
  5. Doggies by Sandra Boynton
  6. Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton
  7. Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
  8. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
  9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar  by Eric Carle
  10. Peek-a-Zoo! by Marie Torres Cimarusti
  11. Hooray for Fish!  by Lucy Cousins
  12. Ladybug Girl Dresses Up! by Jacky Davis
  13. Dog’s Colorful Day by Ema Dodd
  14. Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert
  15. Alphabet Under Construction by Denise Fleming
  16. Corduroy by Don Freeman
  17. Babies by Gyo Fujikawa
  18. Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia
  19. Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
  20. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
  21. The Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz
  22. Hush, Little Alien by Daniel Kirk
  23. The Little Airplane by Lois Lenski
  24. It’s Mine by Leo Lionni
  25. Baby Says “Moo!”by JoAnn Early Macken
  26. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
  27. Chicka Chicka ABC by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
  28. Dig Dig Digging by Margaret Mayo
  29. Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers and Marla Frazee
  30. I Love Colors by Margaret Miller
  31. Mortimer  by Robert Munsch
  32. The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
  33. The Family Book by Todd Parr
  34. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
  35. Curious George Goes to the Hospital by Margaret and H.A. Rey
  36. One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root
  37. Yum Yum Dim Sum by Amy Wilson Sanger
  38. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  39. No, David! by David Shannon
  40. Dinosaur vs. the Potty by Bob Shea
  41. One, Two, Three by Tom Slaughter
  42. Dinosaur Roar! by Paul and  Henrietta Stickland
  43. I Love Trucks! by Philoemen Sturges
  44. The Loudest Roar by Thomas Taylor
  45. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
  46. Apples, Apples, Apples by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
  47. Apple Farmer Annie by  Monica Wellington
  48. Mr. Cookie Baker by Monica Wellington
  49. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  50. Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha
 

Updated for 2022

Here are my additional 10 best books for 2-year-olds that I’ve added to this favorite list in the last ten years.

  1. Rex Wrecks It by Ben Clanton
  2. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  3. Ten On A Sled by Kim Norman
  4. Love Makes A Family by Sophie Beer
  5. Bathe The Cat by Alice B. McGinty
  6. Apples and Pumpkins by Liz Rockwell.
  7. Christmas in The Manger by Nola Buck
  8. Puddle by Hyewon Yum
  9. Leaves by David Ezra Stein
  10. I’ll Wait, Mr. Panda, by Steve Antony

 

 

 

 
 

Filed Under: 50 books for 2 year olds, Age: Toddlers, Children's Book Reviews, Preschool Book Lists | 48 Comments

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48 Comments

  1. laura says

    July 26, 2013 at 6:44 am

    Yip!snap!yap! by charles fuge
    Penny Loves Pink by corie doerrfeld

    to laura" aria-label='reply to this comment to laura'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      July 26, 2013 at 8:19 am

      I’ve heard good things about Penny Loves Pink – I need to find it because my daughter is pink obsessed. Thanks.

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  2. Amanda says

    July 26, 2013 at 7:30 am

    My son loves Winston was Worried by Pamela Duncan Edwards. He has even started using the words “great, big, huge, enormous” to describe things around us.

    to Amanda" aria-label='reply to this comment to Amanda'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      July 26, 2013 at 8:18 am

      That is so cute!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  3. laura says

    July 26, 2013 at 7:50 am

    Great list, and awesome resource! Two of my children’s and my classroom favorites are It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G Shaw, The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big, Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood.

    to laura" aria-label='reply to this comment to laura'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      July 26, 2013 at 8:12 am

      I knew I’d forget a few of my own favorites and It Looked Like Spilt Milk is the first of my own I forgot! Great suggestions , thanks!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  4. Georgina says

    July 26, 2013 at 8:25 am

    This is an amazing list – thanks!

    to Georgina" aria-label='reply to this comment to Georgina'>reply to this comment
  5. Emily. R says

    July 26, 2013 at 8:43 am

    My son loved “My Truck is Stuck” by Kevin Lewis and “We’re Going on a Lion Hunt” by Margery Cuyler at this age. The repetition in the story was perfect for him and these were the first books he started to “read” on his own.

    to Emily. R" aria-label='reply to this comment to Emily. R'>reply to this comment
  6. Maja says

    July 26, 2013 at 9:33 am

    My daughter loves Julia Donaldson’s books, eg. Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose, Gruffalo, Stick Man and also David Wojtowycz and of course Dr Seuss, and Big Red Bath by Julia Jarman.

    to Maja" aria-label='reply to this comment to Maja'>reply to this comment
  7. Denise says

    July 26, 2013 at 10:14 am

    We love Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell…it is a great lift and look book!! Thanks for the list! It is a great resource.

    to Denise" aria-label='reply to this comment to Denise'>reply to this comment
  8. Nikki says

    July 26, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    Great list! Both of my kids also love(d) Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb.

    to Nikki" aria-label='reply to this comment to Nikki'>reply to this comment
  9. jess @ fushmush says

    July 26, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    The Pear in the Pear Tree by Pamela Allen is a current favourite in our house. She is a Kiwi author / illustrator and her books are fantastic to read aloud. They are lots of fun too.

    Thanks for the list and thanks for introducing me to Sandra Boynton. My 2 year old daughter loves her. I love it when she reads Fifteen Animals to me. (Bob, bob, bob, bob and bob….)

    to jess @ fushmush" aria-label='reply to this comment to jess @ fushmush'>reply to this comment
  10. Kali says

    July 27, 2013 at 9:06 am

    Love this! Can’t wait to check them all out…we have an almost two-year-old so this is perfect timing. 🙂

    to Kali" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kali'>reply to this comment
  11. Katy says

    July 27, 2013 at 10:27 am

    I’m really excited about this since I’ve decided it’s time to do some more reading with the twins. Thanks!

    to Katy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Katy'>reply to this comment
  12. KarenElissa says

    July 27, 2013 at 11:17 am

    I have a class full of two year olds and a huge love of books so we have quite a collection of favorites. In addition to many of the authors already named, here are a few more of our favorites:

    Baby Beluga by Raffi (our absolute favorite, especially fun with the music to go with it)
    Piggies by Audrey Wood
    Freight Train by Donald Crews
    Skip to My Lou by Nadine Bernard Westcott
    Mice Squeak, We Speak by Tomie dePaola
    Mrs. Wishy-Washy by Joy Cowley
    Here Are My Hands by Bill Martin Jr
    Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow

    to KarenElissa" aria-label='reply to this comment to KarenElissa'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      July 27, 2013 at 6:50 pm

      How did I forget Freight Train?? Urgh. My son loved that book . I debated on Baby Beluga but stopped at 50 🙂 Love your other suggestions too!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  13. Elena says

    July 30, 2013 at 9:51 am

    My nephew loves The little mouse.I love your blog!

    to Elena" aria-label='reply to this comment to Elena'>reply to this comment
  14. Casey says

    July 31, 2013 at 9:25 pm

    A few if our faves to add…

    Jam berry
    Mouse Paint
    Time for Bed
    The Napping House
    The Llama Llama books

    to Casey" aria-label='reply to this comment to Casey'>reply to this comment
  15. Angie says

    July 31, 2013 at 10:55 pm

    Thanks for this great list! My son LOVES Little Blue Truck and many of his favourites are on your list. Can’t wait to read some new titles with him.

    to Angie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Angie'>reply to this comment
  16. Liz says

    August 19, 2013 at 5:24 am

    Where going on a bear hunt.
    Ten fingers, ten toes.
    Where is the green sheep?
    You are special -by Max Lucado
    The story of the little mole who knew it was none of his business.
    The Hairy MacLary series

    to Liz" aria-label='reply to this comment to Liz'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      August 19, 2013 at 5:14 pm

      All good additions!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  17. lynne bell says

    September 14, 2013 at 2:58 am

    Dont forget the “there was an old lady who swallowed” collection. Mine loves “there was an old lady who swallowed a bat”

    to lynne bell" aria-label='reply to this comment to lynne bell'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      September 14, 2013 at 9:14 pm

      Great suggestion!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  18. Michelle in OK says

    November 28, 2013 at 8:00 am

    Our favorite for two-year olds is I Love You, Stinky Face. It was a baby shower gift and we have now owned 3 copies. The first one was loved to pieces, the second is now in use and the third is in reserve (just in case they stop publishing it).

    to Michelle in OK" aria-label='reply to this comment to Michelle in OK'>reply to this comment
  19. Kim says

    February 28, 2014 at 11:18 am

    Nancy Tillman
    Where Ever You are My Love Will Find You
    On the Night You Were Born
    It’s Time to Sleep My Love

    My LO kisses the polar bear every night. And knocks out after “It’s Time to Sleep”.

    to Kim" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kim'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      February 28, 2014 at 5:22 pm

      Thanks for these titles!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  20. Larissa says

    March 1, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    This is such a great list! I would add Where is Ben? by Marisabina Russo, and Jump Frog Jump by Robert Kalan. Also, Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack.

    to Larissa" aria-label='reply to this comment to Larissa'>reply to this comment
  21. Hoppy The Frog says

    June 30, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    I Agree
    Fun, educational and entertaining children book parents, guardians and preteens might like. Check it out now. .www.ronalddestra.com

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    Children book: Hoppy the Frog. Author Ronald Destra- http://www.ronalddestra.com/ A small tadpole born alongside hundreds of others wanted nothing more than to stand out, to

    50 BOOKS FOR 2 YEAR OLDS

    How many of these have you read? This is a great list!

    to Hoppy The Frog" aria-label='reply to this comment to Hoppy The Frog'>reply to this comment
  22. Holly Mommaerts says

    August 16, 2014 at 9:22 pm

    Your #2 is actually written by Stella Blackstone & illustrated by Clare Beaton. I was searching our libraries online catalog & no search results were found for ‘laire Beaton’ But when I did a search for Stella Blackstone farther down your list “How Big Is Pig” was listed there.

    to Holly Mommaerts" aria-label='reply to this comment to Holly Mommaerts'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      August 17, 2014 at 12:30 am

      This has me puzzled because I own this book and there is NO mention of Stella Blackstone at all except in the very small print. She is indeed the author though, how odd that her name would be omitted!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  23. Robin Guyette says

    October 2, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    My kids always loved If You Give A Mouse A Cookie and the others like that. I loved those books. Also, The Rainbow Fish. Too many to list. Now I have 2 14 month old twin granddaughters to start all over again. Love reading to them.

    to Robin Guyette" aria-label='reply to this comment to Robin Guyette'>reply to this comment
  24. Carrie says

    January 18, 2015 at 2:42 pm

    Thanks so much for putting this together! My daughter goes through books soooo many books and it really helps to have the guidance of a list of good books that are age appropriate rather than just looking through the shelves. I’ve already ordered a bunch of these that weren’t in our local library through our interlibrary loan system. Your work is appreciated.

    to Carrie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Carrie'>reply to this comment
  25. Tessa says

    January 29, 2015 at 4:53 pm

    I have a 1 year old and a 2 year old. We Love many of those book and among our favorites
    Llama Llama Red Pajama
    JamBerry
    The Little Blue Truck books
    and
    King Jack and the Dragon.
    The best part is they are pretty fun to read. If you have kids like mine, who love to read a book over and over, it’s important to me to enjoy reading them too.

    to Tessa" aria-label='reply to this comment to Tessa'>reply to this comment
  26. Michelle says

    March 24, 2015 at 8:17 am

    I love you, goodnight

    to Michelle" aria-label='reply to this comment to Michelle'>reply to this comment
  27. Shelley Welch says

    April 12, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    Love You Forever , By Robert Munsch

    to Shelley Welch" aria-label='reply to this comment to Shelley Welch'>reply to this comment
  28. Children Of America says

    August 31, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    As a preschool teacher, I am always looking for a new books so thank you so much for this list! Children Of America

    to Children Of America" aria-label='reply to this comment to Children Of America'>reply to this comment
  29. Sharon says

    September 24, 2015 at 10:21 am

    Any books written by Leslie Patricelli (Boo is fun at Halloween time and has nice pictures of faces with different emotions) Tickle makes kids laugh because they’ve been tickled by their parents and siblings.
    Lots of Lambs by Laura Numeroff
    Peek a Who by Nina Laden
    I Kissed the Baby and Say Hello Like This by Mary Murphy

    to Sharon" aria-label='reply to this comment to Sharon'>reply to this comment
  30. Lu Vail says

    November 23, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    My two to three year old class loves Owl Moon by Jane Yolan, Caps For Sale by Esphyer Slodbodkina, they love saying his name, and Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton. They also love lots of the books on your list. Thanks!

    to Lu Vail" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lu Vail'>reply to this comment
  31. Heather says

    July 4, 2016 at 7:17 pm

    What an excellent, comprehensive list! My daughter’s favorite is “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.” I don’t think she fully understands farms OR typewriters (and maybe she won’t ever!), but she does like to say MOOOOO.

    I mentioned your post on my blog here: https://learntoreadbooks.wordpress.com/2016/06/03/books-for-a-2-year-old/

    Thank you for the awesome blog!

    to Heather" aria-label='reply to this comment to Heather'>reply to this comment
  32. Ritika says

    September 21, 2016 at 1:34 am

    Good night train is the current favorite here!

    to Ritika" aria-label='reply to this comment to Ritika'>reply to this comment
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    March 1, 2020 at 1:55 pm

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    to Yolanda Newman" aria-label='reply to this comment to Yolanda Newman'>reply to this comment

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