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DaddiLife

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Best Books

The 15 Best books for 2 year olds (2023 Buying Guide)

written by DaddiLife 14th December 2020

Updated 30th December 2021.

Why read to your two-year-old? Well, for many of the same reasons that you might read to a one-year-old or younger. It helps to nurture reading and writing skills, an understanding of the wider world, and a strong parent-child bond.

In certain respects, however, reading to a two-year-old boy or girl is a little different. For a start, as babies start to become toddlers, repetition becomes even more important. Studies show that, after about the age of one and a half, being read the same story four times rather than two times tends to improve memory and recollection. So we've put together this guide on the best books for two-year-olds so you know what to look for and what books are best to buy for your two-year-old.

Table of contents
What to consider when buying books for two-year-olds
The 15 best books for 2 year olds
   1.    Where Do Diggers Sleep At Night?
   2.    Where Are You, Blue Kangaroo 
   3.    Kittens on Dinosaurs
   4.    Oi Puppies!
   5.    Bear and Hare: Mine!
   6.    There Was An Old Woman Who Swallowed A Fly
   7.     The Tiger Who Came To Tea
   8.    Giraffes Can’t Dance
   9.     The Snot That He Forgot
   10.   The Go-Away Bird
   11.    Peace at Last
   12.   Waiting for Baby 
   13.    The Tickle Finger Toddler Cookbook
   14.    Countdown to Christmas
   15.     I Thought I Saw A Lion!
How to read to a two-year-old
Reading to a two-year-old: Your Stories

What to consider when buying books for two-year-olds


what to consider when buying a book for 2 years old, best 2 year old books, books for 2 year olds, great books for 2 year olds

By the age of two, children can follow simple stories and you can also start relating stories to your child’s real experience. The tiger who came to tea loves milk, just like your toddler might. So pick out the parts of stories that your child will most relate to and expand on them. More than just what they relate to, there's a few other key things to consider in getting the best books for your 2 year old:

  •  1: Repeat & Recite. When you’ve read the same story a few times, start asking your child what happens next, and let them recite favourite words and phrases. Two-year-olds can also start ‘reading’ the pictures: ignore the text at first and let your toddler describe what they see. For that reason, the books you buy or borrow for two-year-olds may have more complex illustrations than the simple, bold pictures in baby books.
  •  2: Fine Motor Skills. Your toddler’s fine motor skills will be developing too, and reading can help. Let them hold the book and turn the pages - pick books with thicker, easy-to-turn pages. At the age of two, children are becoming a little more independent, so they may start picking up books themselves and looking at the pictures. Don’t feel you have to jump in here and start reading: let them explore on their own. But do read to them at bedtimes and whenever your toddler asks you to.
  • 3: Getting physical. Remember, books for two-year-olds are still designed to be touched and handled, as well as read, so sturdiness is a factor to consider when buying.


The 15 best books for 2 year olds


   1.    Where Do Diggers Sleep At Night?

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Editors Review

“Fun imaginative verse and characters your two-year-old will relate to, especially when they ask for just one more story before bed!”


As it turns out, diggers, snow ploughs and tractors enjoy the same bedtime routines as little boys and girls.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Great pictures mixed with fun rhyming phrases.
  • An Amazon best seller in its category.

ANY ISSUES?

  • It might be best for truck and digger-obsessed kids.


   2.    Where Are You, Blue Kangaroo 

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Editors Review

“A family favourite, this heartwarming story helps to teach young children about their emotions."


When Lily loses her favourite toy, Blue Kangaroo wonders if he will ever see her again.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Anxiety, loss, hope and joy. All life is in this great little book.

ANY ISSUES?

  • It requires a little focus - so best for bedtime.


   3.    Kittens on Dinosaurs

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Editors Review

“This just released book is full of mischief and fun.”

 

When the kittens spot the beasts of Dinosaur Island, all they can think of is climbing and sliding. But for those teeth!

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Cute, round-eyed kittens, scary dinosaurs and a lively, super-fun story.

ANY ISSUES?

  • It might test your patience for bad puns.


   4.    Oi Puppies!

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Editors Review

“It’s so funny it won the 2017 Laugh Out Loud Awards.”


Dog, Cat and Frog are looking after some puppies - lots of puppies. What could possibly go wrong?

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The hilarious rhyming text throughout the book.
  • It's a particularly good book for rhyme and repetition.

CONS

  • There are several ‘Oi!’ books and they are very similar, so maybe not one to get if you have the others. If you haven’t, it’s a great choice.


   5.    Bear and Hare: Mine!

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Editors Review

“Great vivid illustrations and a fun story that also has a great message.”


Bear and Hare go for a walk and find lots of nice things. Problem is, Hare doesn’t want to share.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • There are few words on each page, making it great for grown-ups to add in details.
  • When the grown-ups need some help, the children can also add in their imaginations.

ANY ISSUES?

  • Some readers might appreciate more text.


   6.    There Was An Old Woman Who Swallowed A Fly

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Editors Review

“This is a great version of the old classic, with ingenious die-cut holes, and large, colourful illustrations.”


You know the story: woman swallows fly, which she chases down with a series of evermore elaborate creatures. As a strategy, it’s unlikely to end well.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Toddlers will love the story - and especially joining in with the rhymes.
  • Is a great way to get hand movements going with the 2 year olds too.

ANY ISSUES?

  • The story doesn’t end well. Be prepared.


   7.     The Tiger Who Came To Tea

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Editors Review

"This is just a stone-cold classic, with adorable characters and a great, quirky story."


Just as Sophie and her mum are sitting down to tea, the doorbell rings. Who could it be (there’s a clue in the title)?

HIGHLIGHTS

  • It’s warm, human, and very funny.
  • A number 1 best seller on Amazon.

ANY ISSUES?

  • You like tigers? You like tea? Say yes to both and there’s nothing here to dislike.


   8.    Giraffes Can’t Dance

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Editors Review

"A lovely story about determination, acceptance and triumphing on your own terms."


Giraffes are too long and stringy to dance, aren’t they? Gerald sets out to prove the doubters wrong.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • A great tale with a positive message.

CONS

  • The other animals are a bit cruel.


   9.     The Snot That He Forgot

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Editors Review

"Sticky, icky fun for slime-loving toddlers, but there’s also an educational message about hygiene."


Stanley has a snotty nose and never uses a tissue. Can he learn to wipe it away?

HIGHLIGHTS

  • It’s yukky and funny. Kids will love it!

ANY ISSUES?

  • It’s about snot - some grown-ups might not find that as amusing as their children do.


   10.   The Go-Away Bird

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Editors Review

"A great rhyming story, as you’d expect from Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo."


The Go-Away Bird doesn’t need friends, right up until she does.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The story is great, and matched by Catherine Rayner’s wonderful illustrations.

ANY ISSUES?

  • The pictures are far more detailed than those in The Gruffalo et al, and the change of illustrator might not be to everyone’s taste. We loved them, mind.


   11.    Peace at Last

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

“Tired parents will relate to Mr Bear, and toddlers will love the noise repetitions and colourful illustrations.”


Snoring, fidgeting, dripping and tapping….it’s no wonder Mr Bear can’t get a good night’s sleep.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • It’s a great book, and many modern parents will remember it from childhood, so it’s a lovely nostalgia trip too.

ANY ISSUES?

  • It’s seriously sleep-inducing. You may fall asleep before your child!


   12.   Waiting for Baby 

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Editors Review

“The text does a great job of promoting questions and conversation."


Waiting for the arrival of a new baby can be confusing and unsettling for siblings, but this series of four board books uses simple text and illustrations to help small children understand what’s going on.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • This is a book with a purpose, and it fulfills it well.

ANY ISSUES?

  • This isn’t a storybook, so won’t be for everyone.


   13.    The Tickle Finger Toddler Cookbook

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

“It’s all about squishing, sorting, mixing and pouring - no knives or hobs in this cookbook.”

 

A book that lets toddlers help out in the kitchen, in a totally safe and fun way.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Kids love to help out in real ways, and this book lets them.

ANY ISSUES?

  • It’s more about the journey than the destination - not all the recipes will work out.


   14.    Countdown to Christmas

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

“Great rhymes and illustrations, and there’s a nice advent calendar in the back.”


A beautifully illustrated picture book showing woodland creatures preparing for Christmas. This book will ramp up the excitement as the big day gets ever closer.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • An interactive turn the wheel feature on every page.

ANY ISSUES?

  • It might ramp up the excitement a bit too much if you're using as a bed time read!


   15.     I Thought I Saw A Lion!

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

"This is basically a game of hide and seek in book form!”


Is that a lion in the restaurant? Or the beauty salon? It’s up to you to find it.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The sliders that you pull to reveal the lion are nice and sturdy.

ANY ISSUES?

  • It’s all about the pictures, so imaginative adults will have to fill in the story. Maybe a bit babyish for more advanced two-year-olds.


How to read to a two-year-old


As with all young children, the real secret is to read to them often, and every day if you can. After that, the difference with two-year-olds is that they’ll be happy to read the same books over and over again, and they’ll also appreciate more input from you. Here's a few other key things to consider when you're reading to a two-year-old girl or boy:

  • Describe pictures. Help them describe pictures, and remember to relate any relevant scenes to real life.
  • Don't just read, talk. Reading to your two-year-old is as much about talking to them as simply reading the words on the page.
  • Watch the pace. Read slowly and read expressively, and encourage your toddler to join in with rhymes, repeated phrases and songs
  • Sitting still, not.  Don’t expect them to sit still. If they want to get off your lap and wriggle around, that’s fine.
  • Attention spans. Toddlers can follow simple stories but attention spans will still be limited so keep reading sessions short, simple and frequent.


Reading to a two-year-old: Your Stories


There's nothing we love more than seeing parents and their two-year-olds reading together. Here are some of the stories we've loved and been inspired by. 

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A post shared by Nancy Guerrero (@the_guerrero_fam)

The 15 Best books for 2 year olds (2023 Buying Guide) was last modified: January 4th, 2023 by DaddiLife

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