Family Life Fun Entertainment Books The All-Time Best Books for Toddlers With bright bold pictures, colorful characters, and engaging stories, these toddler books are perfect for little listeners. By Parents Editors Parents Editors The Parents Editors byline means there is an experienced group of editors and journalists behind the scenes of the article. Learn more about the Parents team, our core values, and editorial guidelines. our editorial guidelines Updated on February 17, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. 01 of 24 The Very Hungry Caterpillar BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Eric Carle Yup, the caterpillar's still hungry! And just like him, toddlers can't seem to get enough when it comes to this book. 02 of 24 Press Here BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon. By Herve Tullet Full of whismy and wonder, this New York Times bestseller will make your babe-un believe in magic. Seriously. This book is something special. 03 of 24 Love You Forever BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon. By Robert Munsch First published in 1986, Love You Forever has sold more than 30 million copies—and for good reason. This book is a beautiful, sentimental, and touching tribute to a parent's unconditional love for their child. But be warned: You may cry. 04 of 24 Little Blue Truck BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon. By Alice Schertle The Beatles once said "we get by with a little help from our friends," and the characters in Little Blue Truck prove that is true. It's a fun story about friendship and support. 05 of 24 Feminist Baby BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon. By Loryn Brantz Fearless, funny, and smart, Feminist Baby dismisses gender stereotypes while empowering your pint-sized peanut to be exactly who they are. 06 of 24 Yummy Yucky BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Leslie Patricelli How often do you say "yucky" to the things your kid puts in their mouth? Read this book with your child to explain the difference between yummy and yucky—so they'll (hopefully) stop experimenting on their own. 07 of 24 Goodnight Moon BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Margaret Wise Brown From a black, rotary telephone to the room's (infamous) red balloon, Goodnight Moon is a classic children's bedtime book. It's a must-have for any toddler book collection. 08 of 24 Where's My Teddy? BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Jez Alborough If your toddler's got a lovey, then there's a good chance they will relate to this book, which involves a search for a missing teddy bear. 09 of 24 Counting Kisses BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Karen Katz A countdown to bedtime and kisses, this best toddler book is sure to inspire lots of sweet snuggles. 10 of 24 Everyone Poops BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Taro Gomi While an elephant may make a big poop—and a mouse may make a tiny poop—the truth is everyone poops, and this books seeks to be a fun but matter-of-fact guide to all things number two. Perfect for potty training tots. 11 of 24 Baby Happy, Baby Sad BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Leslie Patricelli You know from personal experience how quickly your child's moods can swing. This book creatively helps toddlers understand their most common emotions. 12 of 24 Green Eggs and Ham BUY NOW Courtesy of Target By Dr. Seuss Try as you might, you cannot resist Sam-I-Am and his green eggs and ham. This wacky rhyming classic is as fun now as it was the first time you read it. Now, run out and get it! 13 of 24 Corduroy BUY NOW Courtesy of Target By Don Freeman For any kid who has dreamed of having an empty department store all to themself, Corduroy is a dream come true. This adorable bear has terrific adventures on his way to find his missing button. 14 of 24 Pat the Bunny BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Dorothy Kunhardt With unique materials and textures and an array of fun colors, Pat the Bunny is a great, interactive "first-reader." 15 of 24 The Family Book BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Todd Parr Adopted families, stepfamilies, one-parent families, families with two parents of the same sex, and "traditional" families are all chronicled here in a funny, silly, and accepting way. It's a terrific tool for teaching children about differences. 16 of 24 Are You My Mother? BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By P.D. Eastman This book is ideal for the restless toddler who relishes audience participation. Each time the confused young bird asks a strange animal, "Are you my mother?" your kids will knowingly answer, "No!" And they might even explain why not. It's a wonderful teaching tool with a warm-fuzzy ending. 17 of 24 Diary of a Worm BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Doreen Cronin This is a hilarious book about the surprisingly intriguing life of a young worm. Written in diary form, our worm observes the differences between being a worm and being a human. He laments that he can't have a dog or chew gum, but is relieved that he doesn't have to visit the dentist. ("No cavities. No teeth either.") We can all relate. 18 of 24 Walter, the Farting Dog BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray If the word "fart" is taboo in your house, this could be the perfect toddler book for you and your family. Author William Kotzwinkle follows Walter through some embarrassing escapades, all to show him that gas might be kind of funny. But in the words of Kotzwinkle's first book, "Everybody poops." 19 of 24 It's Okay to Be Different BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Todd Parr Written by best-selling author Todd Parr, It's Okay to Be Different is a reassuring book about embracing who you are. Build confidence, compassion, and empathy with this powerful toddler book. 20 of 24 The Monster at the End of This Book BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Jon Stone Who doesn't love lovable ol' Grover? After all, he's one of the most beloved characters on Sesame Street. In this book, Grover confronts his fears—with a little prodding from the reader—and discovers the unknown isn't as scary as he imagined. 21 of 24 The Big Shiny Sparkly First Words Book BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Willabel Tong This is a great book for the curious preschooler who is just discovering that learning can be fun. There's plenty to do, with questions to answer, flaps to lift, and unique illustrations to teach children about their first words. 22 of 24 Baby Beluga BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Raffi We love this board-book version of Raffi's most popular tune about a baby whale and his Eskimo, walrus, and dolphin friends. Ashley Wolff's lighthearted illustrations bring the song to life. 23 of 24 Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Bill Martin Jr. A blue horse, green frog, and yellow duck are some of the unforgettable animals your baby will spot in this colorful book. 24 of 24 A Pocket for Corduroy BUY NOW Courtesy of Amazon By Don Freeman Lisa is warned by her mother to take everything out of her pockets before washing them. Corduroy, her teddy bear, hears this and after realizing he has no pockets, he searches to no end to find one. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit