Raising Kids Gear and Products The Best Books for 2-Year-Olds for Playtime or Bedtime From individual board books to full sets, these stories are fun and engaging By Deanna McCormack Deanna McCormack Twitter Deanna McCormack is a beauty, parenting, and lifestyle writer who has written for Bustle, Byrdie, TheEverymom.com, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 13, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Vanessa Nzeh, MD Medically reviewed by Vanessa Nzeh, MD Facebook Twitter Vanessa Nzeh, MD, is an internal medicine and pediatrics physician who is passionate about patient advocacy, the integration of maternal and child health, as well as increasing diversity and inclusion in medical education. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked Verywell Family content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact-checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Reading regularly to your toddler fosters early language development, logic, and creative thinking. It's also a great way for a parent or grandparent to bond with a child. The best books for 2-year-olds keep them engaged with fun stories and rhymes, adorable illustrations, and a touch of humor. Reviewed & Approved Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a singsong story that puts a fun and rhythmic spin on learning the alphabet. For a set, we recommend the My First Library Boxset of 10 Board Books for Kids. Choose the right book for your little one by considering their interests, the book’s length and format, and how you think they will respond to the pictures and illustrations. Toddlers love repetition, so it also helps if you enjoy it, too! We carefully considered any age recommendations, illustrations, format, length, and value when reviewing products. Whether you’re looking for a sweet and sentimental bedtime story, an impressive gift, or just want to build your child’s book collection, here are our top picks for books for 2-year-olds. Our Top Picks Chicka Chicka Boom Boom at Amazon The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Amazon My First Library Boxset at Amazon Press Here at Amazon Moo, Baa, La La La! at Amazon Little Blue Truck at Amazon Green Eggs & Ham at Amazon Where’s Spot? at Amazon I Love You To The Moon & Back at Amazon TouchThinkLearn ABC at Amazon In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Family Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com View On Bookshop.org The Chicka Chicka Boom Boom book ranks high on our list because this colorful board book puts a fun and rhythmic spin on learning the alphabet. Your toddler will be hooked as the story unfolds with the anticipation of the lower case letters racing to the top of the coconut tree. The author, Bill Martin Jr., writes a singsong story that combines humor, charm, and simple colorful illustrations, just like in his popular book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" Before you know it your child will be able to recognize the letters of the alphabet, along with differentiating lower case from capital letters. Here Are the Best Books for Toddlers to Develop Their Love of Reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart This playful story about a caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a butterfly has sold over 50 million copies since its release in 1969 and is still considered a top choice for 2-year-olds. With captivatingly colorful collage-style artwork by acclaimed children’s author and artist Eric Carle, the book’s sturdy die-cut pages introduce your toddler to colors, food, and the days of the week. This book, and others by Eric Carle, will inspire your child’s imagination and love for animals and nature. The Best Board Books for Your Littlest Reader My First Library Boxset of 10 Board Books for Kids Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart This boxed set of board books is full of educational content you can begin reading to your child from day one. It covers a comprehensive range of topics including letters, numbers, animals, and food. The real-life images have been selected from everyday items and are great for quick recognition and recall. With a large number of categories and items, you will begin to notice your child’s vocabulary grow quickly. This board book set is a complete learning must-have and is a great way to kickstart your child’s book collection. The 8 Best Books for Shy Kids of 2022 Press Here Courtesy of Barnes & Noble View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Barnesandnoble.com Beginning with a simple yellow dot, you and your little one will love the surprises of this interactive picture book. The story is clever and simple and teaches young kids cause and effect, movement, and spatial awareness as the dots multiply, change direction, and grow in size. The longest-running picture book on the New York Times bestseller list, "Press Here" will have both you and your child cheering, clapping, and giggling from beginning to end. These Are the Best Children’s Books to Encourage Their Love of Reading Moo, Baa, La La La! Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Get ready for serious silliness with this simple but fun board book by Sandra Boynton. A great read-aloud that will fill the room with animal sounds (including a hilarious trio of pigs that say “la la la!”), this book is a favorite among toddlers, teachers, and parents. This story features playful animal images and a rhythmic format that’s short and sweet—your toddler will soon be saying the lines right along with you. The Best Board Books for Your Littlest Reader Little Blue Truck Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart In this charming story, a blue farm truck calls upon his animal friends to help him and a not-so-nice dump truck out of a patch of mud. With a perfect blend of rhyme, farm animals, and truck noises, your 2-year-old will love to join in and finish the verses. "The Little Blue Truck" teaches the power of friendship and teamwork and demonstrates the rewards of helping others. Fans of the book rave about the ease of reading this story over and over with their little ones. Green Eggs & Ham Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com A timeless story that continues to delight young readers and parents, "Green Eggs & Ham" offers wacky rhymes, fun repetition, and whimsical illustrations that introduce your child to the eccentric world of Dr. Seuss. On the surface, this book is about trying new things, but it also raises important questions about the relationship between experiences and beliefs. It may be time to get out the green food coloring and serve up some green eggs and ham for the family. Where’s Spot? Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Everyone’s favorite puppy comes to life on the page with this lift-the-flap, find-and-see book. Watch as your child curiously opens each flap in search of Spot, only to find all sorts of animal surprises. This board book is great for teaching spatial concepts like under, behind, and in. This book also keeps your child busy and is great for independent reading. The story allows for effortless conversation back and forth with your little reader as you both help navigate the hide and seek. Reviewers say “Spot is one of the essential experiences of childhood.” We agree! I Love You To The Moon & Back Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com If you’re looking for a sentimental book to add to your collection, this is the one. An endearing poem about a parent's unconditional love for their child, the story follows a bear and cub as they share in the delights of the day seeing friends, playing chase, and snuggling before bed. Perfect as a bedtime or wind-down story, this book is short and sweet, with beautifully detailed illustrations that are sure to soothe and delight your toddler. TouchThinkLearn ABC Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com While this book is a little more expensive than the others on this list, it’s a superbly designed treasure your child will love for years. Plus, it would make the perfect gift for the 2-year-old in your life. With a hardcover and super-thick pages, this book is an interactive twist on a simple ABC book. It incorporates cut-outs and raised pieces, and has simple modern aesthetics for a complete sensory experience. This book literally adds a new dimension to learning the alphabet. Final Verdict While there are plenty of fun and engaging bestsellers to choose from on this list, Eric Carle’s "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" (view on Amazon) belongs on every child’s bookshelf. It’s an irresistible story with playful illustrations that introduce your child to the wonders of nature. If you’re looking to give a book as a gift, we love the design and heft of the "TouchThinkLearn: ABC" board book (view on Amazon). What to Look for in Books for 2-Year-Olds Format and Content There’s no one right kind of book that will be best for your 2-year-old. In fact, it’s better to have a bit of everything: ABC books, short stories, poems, interactive books, sticker books, and more. The same goes for content: Your child may love books about other little ones, or animals, or vehicles, or dinosaurs, so offer up a selection. Mix it up and make it fun. At 2, kids are at an age when simplicity and variety are best. Length The length of a book for a 2-year-old will depend on your child's comprehension level and interest in reading. Every toddler is different and their interest in storytime will vary. That said, typically, it's best to stick to short stories and board books with lots of page-turning and pictures. Illustrations Look for bright colors and fun characters when selecting a title. Again, to build their imagination, keep it simple and offer variety to keep them engaged. Your 2-year-old will look at the pictures in books to help them understand what you’re reading, so it helps if the pictures tie in with the story. Frequently Asked Questions Can a 2-year-old read? Typically, a 2-year-old cannot read. Most children learn to read by age 6 or 7, with some beginning to read around age 4 or 5. However, 2-year-olds often enjoy looking at books and may practice emerging reading skills, such as pretending to read or repeating memorized phrases or words that go with the pictures on each page. How often should I read to my toddler? How often you read to your toddler is up to your personal choice and schedule. However, it's wonderful to read to your child often if you can. Know that any time you spend reading with your child is beneficial. Ideally, read to them once a day or more, depending on when they are interested and you have the time to do so. Many people incorporate reading into their child's bedtime routine. Are audiobooks good for toddlers? Toddlers benefit from exposure to all kinds of literary materials, including audiobooks. Board books and picture books have the added advantages of allowing kids to see the pictures and words that go along with the stories and to physically touch the books. However, just listening to a book read aloud via an audiobook also boosts reading skills and cognitive development. Why Trust Verywell Family? As a writer and artist, Deanna McCormack is drawn to the beauty and design of children’s picture books. She’s an avid reader and library-goer and strives to stay up to date with the latest award-winning stories and bestsellers. In addition to her research on the topic, she’s read every book on this list many, many times to her 2-year-old son. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 1 Source Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Academy of Pediatrics. Helping your child learn to read.