Favorite Books for Toddlers

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I’ve said before that I love to read, and I’m passionate about instilling that same love in my children. And it appears to be working! Emma is just about as book obsessed as I am. We have quite the collection of books for her, but there are some definite standout favorites. Ones that she asks to read over and over and over again. So I took her favorites and put together our list of favorite books for toddlers:

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site: Even big, strong machines need to go to bed too! Emma loved learning about all the machines and it’s a perfect length for a bedtime read.

The Monster at the End of This Book: I’m sure we can all relate to the nostalgia this book brings. It was one of my favorites as a child and I knew I wanted to read it to my children. I even bought it before Emma was born! And I’m happy to report that she loves it just as much as I did!

Olivia: It’s everyone’s favorite, sassy little pig, Olivia! She’s full of personality and imagination and a strong will, just like my Emma. We adore her!

If You Give Series: I’ve loved the If You Give series since the very first book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. So much so, that I bought every single new book that’s come out, even before I was married or had children. I just knew this was a series I wanted to share with my own kids, once I had them. And I’m so thankful that they love them just as much as I do!

Guess How Much I Love You: The classic story of Little Nutbrown Hare trying to show his daddy how much he loves him, only to have Big Nutbrown Hare love him farther and wider than Little Nutbrown Hare ever can. The perfect story about a parent’s immense love for their child.

Green Eggs and Ham: Classic Dr. Suess. Children everywhere love this book! It’s not my favorite to read (it can seem like a long story when you’re ready to be done with putting kiddos to bed), but with the signature rhyming and silly tale, this is definitely a favorite in our house. And, as a bonus, I can use the story sometimes when I’m trying to convince Emma to give a new food a try . . . “Remember Green Eggs and Ham? He said he didn’t like it, but once he tried it, he loved it!”

The Pout Pout Fish: I’d never even heard of this book until my mom bought it for Emma for Christmas one year. And it is so stinkin cute! The rhyming is fun and doesn’t get old (which is good because Emma had this book on repeat for a long time!). Seriously adorable!

Animal Orchestra: This book was on repeat in our house for so long, the book is almost in tatters! It’s a fun way for children to learn about different animals and different instruments. And it’s not a tedious read, so I never minded having to read it over and over and over again.

Sleepy Solar System: We got this as a gift from my aunt, who is friends with one of the creators of this book, and quickly fell in love. It’s a simple read, with rhyming text, that teaches children about the planets in our solar system.

BabyLit Storybooks: I mentioned my love for the BabyLit books in my post of favorite baby books, and that love continues on into the toddler years. BabyLit has started releasing classic literature in storybook form! As a diehard Jane Austen fan, I had to scoop of their version of Pride & Prejudice for Emma. It’s a short and simple telling of the famous book, perfect for little minds.

Usborne Shine-a-Light Books: The Usborne Shine-a-Light books are some of Emma’s favorites! These beautiful books allow you to explore the jungle, under the sea, even the human body! Each page explores that book’s topic and then asks your child a question, a question who’s answer can be found by shining light on the back of the page! Educational and fun! We have several of these.

Two!: I first purchased this book to support a friend (who happens to be the author/illustrator) but it quickly became one of Emma’s favorites. It’s a funny little rhyming book about what it’s like to spend a day with a toddler. Something that both child and parent can relate to.

The Bear Snores On: I’d never heard of this bestselling book until a small paper version showed up in Emma’s Chick-fil-a kid’s meal. And I’m so glad it did! This book is so stinkin’ cute! Fun rhyming and beautiful pictures tell the tale of a variety of forest animals making their way into the bear’s den while he just keeps sleeping. Just wait until you see what happens when the bear wakes up!

What are your toddler’s favorite books?