15 Best Books for Toddlers to Gift Moms This Year

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These are the best books for toddlers if you are thinking about educational items to gift or just for every day. When thinking about books for young children, you want to ensure that they include critical fundamentals for learning and elevating new vocabulary at this age. 

There are so many good books that do so many different things that it can be hard to choose which one is best for toddlers.

Toddlers love interactive books. You’ll notice that your toddler wants to do anything fun for them, so making sure you can find a good book will benefit young readers as they age.

This is also the time to prepare them to go into preschool, so finding the best toddler books is vital as they age and age. 

The attention span of a toddler is still not very long, so finding different ways of interacting with toddlers will be great for their social skills and development.

Thinking back to my childhood, some of my favorite books were colorful, easy to understand, and had interesting facts. 

Since we are in the potty training phase, I’ve tried to introduce my toddler to some of these books. It’s been beneficial for us bonding and getting him fully potty trained.

This post is about the best books for toddlers.

Best Books for Toddlers Age 2

For toddlers age 2, board books and picture books will be your best option, especially if you have boys. Not sure why but boys love ripping and eating the pages out of the books, so having board books will allow the books in your collection to last longer.

These books provide a great way to connect with your toddler. The lessons in these books cover everything from unconditional love to stories about courage; any of these would be the perfect book for a two-year-old.

One thing to remember when it comes to books is to make sure it’s something that you will enjoy reading, and so will your toddlers. 

You never want to pick a book that you don’t personally like or you find that won’t have any value to you and your child. 

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

best books for toddlers
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $5.36

What I love about this book is that it’s easy to read, the book is colorful, and it’s an easy way to associate animals with pictures, which is so important when building language.

This book was written by Eric Carle, one of the leaders of children’s books in the 60s and on. He also wrote the Very Hungry Caterpillar. Also, this book has big letters, so it’s easy for the child to follow along if they want to do so.

Little Blue Truck: A Back to School Book for Kids 

best books for toddlers
IMAGE SOURCE: TARGET

Price: $8.99

This classic book follows the journey of the Little Blue Truck and his friends as they meet animals, make sounds of things they see on the road, and more. Great book for sharing, bedtime, and overall good storytelling.

Very Hungry Caterpillar

best books for toddlers
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $5.06

Check out this classic story about the journey of a little caterpillar eating his way through the book and being who it’s ultimately supposed to be. Great book for discovery and exploration of the journey from childhood through adulthood.

Where the Wild Things Are

Where the wild things are book cover
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $5.00

This is one of the most popular children’s books out on the market. I remember reading this book as a kid myself and enjoying it. This is a story about a boy named Max who dresses up in a wolf costume which causes havoc in the house, and his mom sends him to bed.

While sleeping, Max discovers a whole island of things that name him king and goes on a journey of exploration, appreciation, and self-awareness that is great for toddlers under five. This book is by Maurice Sendak, who is one of the top authors of children’s books.

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $8.99

From Cocomelon to Gracie’s Corner, everyone sings the classic song of Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. Singing the songs in the book with your toddler makes this an interactive book.

It’s an excellent book for the toddler’s age group of 1 – 3 years. You will be able to sing the pages with your toddler, and it will become a great family book.

Freight Train Board Book

Freight Train Board Book
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $8.99

If your toddler loves trains, this is a good book for them. One of the best things about this book is that it will teach your toddler about the different parts of the train, so they feel like they are riding on the train.

Goodnight Moon

GOODNIGHT MOON
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $5.36

If your toddler takes forever to go to bed, they will have something in common with this cute little bunny. The bunny says goodnight to everything to avoid going to bed. It’s a cute story that even older toddlers will love and have something in common with.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt 

we're going on a bear hunt
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $7.99

This is another classic book that I read as s child and enjoyed. It is about a dad who takes his four children into the woods and, along the way, discovers all sorts of things while looking for a big one.

It will be a good night reading this book for your toddlers. It’s a fun book, and little kids will love it since it has a song you can read. It’s a great time had by all.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $4.59

This New York Times Bestseller book will help your little one learn their ABCs in an enduring and charming way.

You need this as a classic toddler book in your collection, and it will become the one book that enhances your toddler’s love of books.

It’s a simple book that also doubles as a bedtime book.

Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book

dear zoo
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $5.00

This is an excellent book to start if you want your toddler to learn about a different animal on each page.

With bright illustrations and bold pictures, your toddler will learn about all the different types of zoo animals in one place. It’s one of Amazon’s best-selling books.

In the Great Green Room: The Brilliant and Bold Life of Margaret Wise Brown

In the Great Green Room: The Brilliant and Bold Life of Margaret Wise Brown
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $15.99

This is a great read-aloud book for the littlest reader. This story is about the life of a woman who shares the ups and downs of her life. 

If you want to get this best seller, it will be a great start to your child’s collection of not-so-traditional books.

The main character illustrates an important topic of overcoming life obstacles through a child’s eyes. You will have a special bond with the book.

The Pout-Pout Fish

the pout-pout fish
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $5.00 

Another New York Times Bestseller to add to the collection. This book is an excellent bed book. It follows a fish with a grum disposition and realizes it is not who it wants to be. 

You get to follow the fish’s journey and discover more of what the big blue ocean has to offer.

Charming illustrations will make this your toddlers’ new favorite book.

The Little Engine That Could 

best books for toddlers
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $6.99

Beep Beep! For a good reason, everyone has heard the story of the Little Engine. This classic is a sweet story about never giving up. 

If you want a book about redemption, perseverance, and an overall feel-good book, you need this one for your children.

Mother’s love this book because of the lessons and gems you can take from it, and small children will love the bright colors and how the Little Engine makes good friends along the way.

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?

best books for toddlers
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $6.97

Want the site book of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? then get this book. This is another excellent book that your toddlers will love with fun rhymes as they go through the zoo through the polar bear’s eyes.

Noisy Farm

NOISY FARM
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: 11.68

This book will get your toddler moving and grooving. It’s the first touch-and-feel book about farm animals that your two or three-year-olds will love. The book also has six distinct sound effects that will be a hit with any toddler crowd.

Their little fingers can go over all the different animals, which is a great way to associate words with them.

Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book!

Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book!
IMAGE SOURCE: AMAZON

Price: $2.98

Who doesn’t know of Dr. Seuss? He has a collection of classic books for children that go over every part of the childhood experience.

My Top Picks for the Best Books for Toddlers

When it comes to books, I make sure the book is something I am familiar with, so I can bring the points home for my toddlers. 

It’s always a good idea to pick books that are your favorite because 1) your toddler will enjoy it much more, and 2) you will have a lot more fun with the book. 

These books are some of my favorites, and I can apply the lessons from the book to everyday objects and things.

Here is my list in no particular order of what I currently read to my toddler and would give any toddler parent a gift for their little girl or boy.

  1. Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
  2. Little Blue Truck
  3. The Little Engine That Could 
  4. Where the Wild Things Are
  5. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt 

Any of these books would be a great addition to any collection. Any toddler will find great enjoyment in reading books from these fantastic authors. You can also check those out if you want to look into books that offer classic fairy tales.

Children Book Authors

Suppose you are looking for books by other great authors not listed. Sandra BoyntonShel SilversteinHelen OxenburyRichard ScarryTodd ParrMem Fox, and Michael Rosen are other great authors. They have books for young children and toddlers. 

Want gift ideas for toddlers? My post goes into more ideas and more new books you can introduce to your kid regardless of age.

For the ultimate gift list, this toddler gifts for Christmas post has everything you need for toddlers of all ages that they will love and enjoy.

This post was about the best books for toddlers.

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