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.

The 10 Best Books for 2-Year-Olds of 2023

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.

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. We also had a pediatric physician from our Review Board review this article for accuracy and how to evaluate books for 2-year-olds.

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

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Amazon

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My First Library Boxset at Amazon

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Press Here at Amazon

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Moo, Baa, La La La! at Amazon

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Little Blue Truck at Amazon

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Green Eggs & Ham at Amazon

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Where’s Spot? at Amazon

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I Love You To The Moon & Back at Amazon

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TouchThinkLearn ABC at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Courtesy of Amazon

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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.

Price at time of publication: $8

Courtesy of Amazon

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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.

Price at time of publication: $22

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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.

Price at time of publication: $20

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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.

Price at time of publication: $9

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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.

Price at time of publication: $7

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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.

Price at time of publication: $9

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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.

Price at time of publication: $10

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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!

Price at time of publication: $8

Courtesy of Amazon

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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.

Price at time of publication: $8

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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.

Price at time of publication: $25

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.