This evening I asked my daughter what her favorite books are (she’s 2.5 years old ) and her response was “I don’t like Humpty Dumpty”. Since she’s only 2, her favorite books can change from day-to-day (or hour-to-hour). Still, here are a few of her top choices. I know they’re the best because I think I’ve read each about 100 (no, maybe 1000 times).
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My daughter’s top 10 favorite toddler books:
- “Good Night, Gorilla” by Peggy Rathmann
My daughter loved this book when she was around 12-18 months. During this time, I read it daily (multiple times a day!). I still read it occasionally. A great, endearing storyline with very simple text.
- “Hop on Pop” by Dr. Seuss
This is a favorite because of the lovely rhymes coupled with silly scenarios. I actually love reading rhyming books (as long as the rhymes are simple and flow well – some people try to rhyme and shouldn’t). My daughter loves the “hop on pop” part especially and tries to act it out with daddy.
- “Bear Snores On” by Karma Wilson
This is one of my personal favorites. Karma Wilson is gifted at rhyming and storytelling and Jane Chapman creates endearing illustrations. I have read this so often that I have most of it memorized. I like to read with different voices for each character. My daughter knows most of it by heart too. There are other books about Bear in the series and they are all sweet.
- “Mr. Putter and Tabby” series by Cynthia Rylant
Oh, this series is another one of my favorites. Although not actually a toddler book series, these books are easy to read and the stories are very funny.
- “The Baby BeeBee Bird” by Diane Redfield Massie
The most annoying book to read – that’s probably why my daughter loves it. I actually cringe a bit when she finds this at the library and wants to check it out, but she loves the story and wants me to read and reread it.
- “Farmyard Beat” by Lindsey Craig
A very favorite board book in our house. We found it at the library when my daughter was around 12 months old and my girl loved it so much that I ordered it online. Every time I read this book to her I snapped my fingers to a rhythm. My daughter tried to imitate my snapping by opening and closing her thumb and forefinger in a pinching manner.
- “Curious George” books by H. A. Rey and Margret Rey
My daughter always wants to read the Curious George books. These are not my favorite to read because they are often long, but she truly enjoys them.
- Peppa Pig books
“Jumping up and down in muddy puddles…splish, splash, splosh, splish, splash”
- Daniel Tiger books
Daniel Tiger’s neighborhood is a favorite show in our house. So, of course, any books based on the show are just as exciting.
- Bizzy Bear board books by Nosy Crow (illustrator Benji Davies)
I found these board books at the library when my daughter was around 10 or 11 months old. She loved them. They are thick, sturdy books with sliders that she can push and pull. She loves interactive books like this. Even now she likes me to read them to her. There are 2 simple lines (that rhyme) per page spread, so there is not much of a storyline, but the illustrations are fabulous and the interactive part of each book is very engaging for toddlers.
We read a lot at our house. So much so that I’ve been known to say something like “I can’t read right now, my lips are tired.”
If you cringe a bit when your toddler says “Read it again!”, check out my post for tips to make this easier (for you).
I’d love to hear your favorite books for toddlers (or any age)!
