DaddiLife
  • Home
  • Family
    • Modern Fatherhood
    • Trying
    • Expecting
    • New Dad
    • Stay At Home Dad
    • Separation
    • Single Dads
    • Step Dads
  • Things To Do
    • Kids at Home
    • Newborn
    • Toddler
    • 5 – 10
    • 10+
  • Health
    • Dad Jokes
    • Fitness
    • Family Meal Recipes
    • Safety
    • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
    • Work / Life Balance
    • Money
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Gear
  • Book Squad
  • Reviews
    • Gift Ideas
    • Family Fun
    • Toys
  • Dads at Work
    • Guides for Dads at Work
    • Case Studies
    • Q&A
    • Mentoring Programme
  • Join
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Write With Us
  • Home
  • Family
    • Modern Fatherhood
    • Trying
    • Expecting
    • New Dad
    • Stay At Home Dad
    • Separation
    • Single Dads
    • Step Dads
  • Things To Do
    • Kids at Home
    • Newborn
    • Toddler
    • 5 – 10
    • 10+
  • Health
    • Dad Jokes
    • Fitness
    • Family Meal Recipes
    • Safety
    • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
    • Work / Life Balance
    • Money
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Gear
  • Book Squad
  • Reviews
    • Gift Ideas
    • Family Fun
    • Toys
  • Dads at Work
    • Guides for Dads at Work
    • Case Studies
    • Q&A
    • Mentoring Programme
  • Join

DaddiLife

The parenting website for dads

Best Books

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

written by DaddiLife 14th December 2020

Updated 7th August 2023

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. Reading is a wonderful activity for people of all ages.

Reading to young kids helps to nurture a whole host of skills. It helps to develop a strong bond between parent and child and starts to give them a wider understanding of the world around them.

While books for one-year-olds act as early learning about basic things like animals, shape or colours, books for 2 year olds are certainly more like to have a story to them.

Over the course of this guide, we'll look at why it's so important to read to 2 year olds, what to look for in a book for toddlers, and bring you 15 of our favourite books for 2 year olds.

Table of contents
Why is it important to read to 2 year olds?
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

Why is it important to read to 2 year olds?


Whether it's a board book, an interactive book, or a picture book full of bright illustrations, young readers take an enormous amount from reading with their parents.

As we learned in our look at the best books for 1 year olds, there are numerous academic studies that have discovered strong, positive benefits to reading to children from a young age.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, there is a direct link between reading from a young age and stronger vocabulary and literacy skills. It also discovered a link between reading to young kids and them being able write their own name earlier.

Other studies have also found a more emotional benefit; when we read aloud to the youngest readers, we help to develop a 'secure attachment'; a mutual bond between parent and child based on trust.

So, there are plenty of real-world benefits to reading with your 2 year old. Plus, reading is just awesome!


Can 2 year olds learn to read?


Believe it or not, but you can teach your own child to read from a really young age.

As we've already established, just reading to a young child will help to develop their reading skills. However, systemic phonics instructions has become the established method of teaching children how to read in most education systems.

Phonics instruction teaches children to understand the familiar, smaller sounds that make up much of our language and blends them with different letters to make different sounds. E.g. Bay, hay, tray, clay, may, say. It then builds on that to introduce the relationship between spoken and written language to help children learn to decode words they don't recognise.

There are plenty of phonics instruction programmes designed to help children learn to read, even as young as 2 year olds.


What to consider when buying books for 2 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

One of the most important factors in buying books for young readers, particularly at this stage, that are appropriate for their age. Many experts claim that in order to fully benefit from reading, children need to be read books that are suitable for their age.

For older kids, reading age is more important than their actual age. But you haven't got to worry about that for a few years at least.

Two year olds are much better at following stories than when they were one. Although they might still like to show off their memory with their favourite oversized board book, from this age kids love to follow a sweet story with plenty of engaging illustrations. Here are some things to look out for when buying books for 2 year olds:

Relatability

Two year olds have a much better awareness of the world around them, and so they'll love reading stories that relate to their own lives. It might not be the whole story that they can relate to, but even specific moments in the story.

For example, in 'Guess How Much I Love You' (which one was one our picks for 1 year olds), 2 year olds probably can't relate to two hares loving each other, but you can certainly help them to understand that it's just like you and them. 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.

Repetition

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.

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.

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.

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. For that reason, board books are still particularly common and popular for 2 year olds.

When you're reading

The nature of the book you're buying for 2 year olds might well depend on what time of day you're planning to read to them.

At this age, your toddler will be much more aware of the contents of a book and what it's supposed to convey. While you could read any book you wanted to your 1 year old, and it would probably set them off to sleep, you need to make your choices more carefully.

That's why a lot of bedtime stories focus on bedtime routines, whether it's farm animals, tractors and diggers, or other children. They're calming in their nature to prepare young kids for sleep. You probably don't want to get something that focused on fun and laughs for bedtime.


The 15 best books for 2 year olds


Let's get to it. Here are our 15 picks for the best books for two year olds. 


   1.    Where Do Diggers Sleep At Night?

View on Amazon ▷

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!”


Where Do Diggers Sleep At Night is a wonderful take on exploring the bedtime routine, making it ideal for 2 year olds who are becoming more and more aware of their daily routine. Available as a board book or paperback, it follows the stories of diggers, tractors, fire engines and more as they settle down for a good night sleep. It's one that any little girl or little boy who loves diggers and tractors will absolutely love, and makes for an excellent bedtime story.

PROS

  • Engaging illustrations
  • Part of a brilliant series of bedtime stories with planes, trains
  • Fun rhyming pattern
  • A former Amazon bestseller

CONS

  • Kids who aren't interested in diggers and tractors might not be too fussed
  • Some Americanised language, so UK parents may prefer to avoid


   2.    Where Are You, Blue Kangaroo 

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

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


Where Are You, Blue Kangaroo is the follow-up to I Love You, Blue Kangaroo. It follows Lily, a little girl who often loses her favourite toy, Blue Kangaroo. When she does, she wonders if she'll ever see Blue Kangaroo again, and Blue Kangaroo her. But as Lily gets older, she keep forgetting Blue Kangaroo more and more. This really is an adorable book that encourages children to explore different emotions, from disappointment and anxiety to relief and loss. It's an excellent starting point to discuss emotions with your own child. 

PROS

  • Amazing book for toddlers to learn about emotions
  • Encourages young kids to put how they're feeling into their own words

CONS

  • It's a cute story but does require some concentration


   3.    Kittens on Dinosaurs

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

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

 

On the face of it, Kitties on Dinosaurs is a silly book, but it's an amazing book to help teach young kids about determination and perseverance from an early age in a fun way. It follows the story of a group of kittens who love to climb, and whose ultimate dream is to climb the dinosaurs of Dinosaur Island. The book's narrator warns the kittens of the dangers ahead, the kittens aren't afraid. 

PROS

  • Adorable illustrations
  • Great messaging

CONS

  • It might test your patience for bad puns


   4.    Oi Puppies!

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

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


Part of the wider Oi series, Oi Puppies! is a fantastically fun book for 2 year olds with plenty of silliness on offer. Available in paperback, hardback or a board book, it follows Dog as he tries to look after a bunch of puppies. But, not one of them will sit still! Until, that is, Frog has a cunning plan.

PROS

  • Kids love silly books and Oi Puppies! is definitely silly
  • Really good repetitive phrases and rhyming
  • Adorable pictures
  • Plenty of other choices in the Oi series

CONS

  • Perhaps not the best choice for a bedtime story, unless you want your little one howling with laughter right before bed


   5.    Bear and Hare: Mine!

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

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


From multi-award-winning author, Emily Gravett, Bear and Hare: Mine! is an adorable board book that follows the story of two friends who find lots of nice things along their walk, but one of them doesn't share. The beautiful illustrations take centre stage on each page, with just a few words for you to read aloud. 

PROS

  • The lack of words really give your little one the opportunity to use their imagination and fill in the gaps or add in details
  • Great book to teach 2 year olds the importance of sharing
  • Part of the Bear and Hare series, so you have plenty of other options

CONS

  • Some readers might appreciate more words on the page


   6.    There Was An Old Woman Who Swallowed A Fly

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

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

There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly is the illustrated version of the old folk song, in which a woman's solution to swallowing a fly makes things a lot worse. It's best as a board book with holes on each page, allowing young readers to see sneak peak of the next page. 

PROS

  • Brilliant use of repetitive phrases
  • Kids love putting their finger in the hole, and turning the page with it if they can (great for fine motor skills!)
  • Super fun and silly book

CONS

  • The story doesn’t end well. Be prepared


   7.     The Tiger Who Came To Tea

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

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


The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a classic book for young kids. First published in 1968, it has been a firm favourite ever since. It follows the story of Sophie, a little girl who is just about to sit down for tea with her mother. When the doorbell goes, they discuss who it can't be and find, much to their surprise, that a tiger has come to tea.

PROS

  • A super sweet book with plenty of warmth and humour
  • A timeless classic book
  • The tiger is one of of the most beloved characters in children's literature
  • Available in paperback or as a sturdy board book

CONS

  • Honestly, there's nothing not to like 


   8.    Giraffes Can’t Dance

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

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


Giraffes Can't Dance is a brilliantly silly book with plenty of heart and meaning behind it. Gerald loves to dance, but his long, wobbly legs aren't very good for dancing. Rather than giving up on his dream, Gerald finds his own tune and confidence to be able to do what he loves.

PROS

  • Adorable book with plenty of laughs on offer
  • Really important messages of determination and not giving up on your dreams

CONS

  •  The other animals are a bit cruel, so you might not want your young kids coming across that sort of language or behaviour


   9.     The Snot That He Forgot

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

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

The Snot That He Forgot is an icky, sticky, fun-filled book to help 2 year olds learn about hygiene. The story follow Stanley, a young boy who hates wiping his nose. 

PROS

  • Kids love gross stuff, so they'll be laughing out loud and this snot-filled story
  • Excellent aid for little ones who also don't like their nose being wiped

CONS

  • I suppose some 2 year olds might go the other way and become obsessed with snot...


   10.   The Go-Away Bird

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

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


From the bestselling author Julia Donaldson, The Go-Away Bird is a powerful story about loneliness and friendship. The Go-Away Bird is always approached by other birds entering her tree and wanting her to play, but The Go-Away Bird always says no. 

PROS

  • The story is matched by Catherine Rayner's beautiful illustrations
  • The same, brilliant rhyming verses you would expect from the author of The Gruffalo

CONS

  • While amazing, the illustrations are far more detailed than Alex Scheffler's in Julia Donaldson's best-known books, so your child might not find them as appealing


   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.”


Peace at Last is another classic book that has stood the test of time. Parents will no doubt remember it from when they were kids, and now, reading it to your little one feels extra special. It follows the story of Mr Bear, who struggles to get a decent night's sleep thanks to Mrs Bear snoring, an excited Baby Bear, and a crazy house. 

PROS

  • Pure nostalgia for us parents
  • Bright illustrations
  • Great for the bedtime routine, encouraging a love of sleep

CONS

  • Just try not to fall asleep before your little one


   12.   Waiting for Baby 

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

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


Many parents will have a second child when their first is around 2 years old. Waiting for the arrival of a new baby can be confusing and unsettling for siblings, but Waiting for Baby uses simple text and illustrations to help small children understand what’s going on. It's also the first in a series of board books that continues the journey after baby has arrived. 

PROS

  • This book has a purpose, and fulfils it well
  • The simple language really helps young readers to understand
  • First in a series that continues the support

CONS

  • 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.”

 

Kids love helping out in the kitchen, and The Tickle Fingers Toddler Cookbook helps them to do just that in a safe and fun way. It's filled with 60 easy-to-follow recipes for the whole family to enjoy, without the need for the dangerous elements. There are also sections dedicated to allergies and fussy eaters, as well as tips and advice on how to tackle some of the common toddler food challenges. 

PROS

  • Really easy step-by-step recipes
  • Offers a great bonding activity
  • Your little one will be so proud when they've made something (nearly) by themselves

CONS

  • Pages themselves could've been designed a bit brighter and more engaging


   14.    Countdown to Christmas

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

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


Countdown to Christmas follows a group of woodland creature as they prepare for Christmas Day. A brilliantly interactive book, each page has a finger-turn wheel and there's pop-out advent calendar on the back. 

PROS

  • One of the best interactive books for 2 year olds
  • The illustrations are beautiful
  • A great way to ramp up excitement for Christmas

CONS

  • Perhaps not the best of books for a bedtime story


   15.     I Thought I Saw A Lion!

View on Amazon ▷

Editors Review

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


I Thought I Saw a Lion! is a effectively a fun game of hide and seek in a board book, making it one that you and your child can play together. Each page has sturdy sliders to see if Lion is hiding away. Is Lion in the restaurant? Or the beauty salon? It's to you and your little one to find out!

PROS

  • Another of the best interactive books
  • Fantastic illustrations
  • Great quality sliders

CONS

  • 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 2 year olds


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. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @katohumphries

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Erin (@1mightytype1family)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Biya Syed (@biyasyed)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nancy Guerrero (@the_guerrero_fam)

FAQs


What make a good book for 2 year olds?

In many ways, a good book for a 2 year old is the same as a good book for a 1 year old.

Although the content will be a bit more advanced and the book itself might be a bit longer, the book should be bright and bold with is illustrations. It should be interactive; whether that's different textures, flaps or sliders.


Why are board books so good for 2 year olds?

Two year olds are still developing their fine motor skills, and board books encourage and support them to learn to turn pages. At this age, books are still likely to be thrown around a fair bit, maybe chewed on. So having sturdy board books in your library is always a great idea. 

The 15 Best books for 2 year olds (2023 Buying Guide) was last modified: August 7th, 2023 by DaddiLife

Related

2 year old books to getbest books for 2 year oldbest books for 2 year old boybest books for 2 year old girlbest books for 2 year oldsbooks for 2 year oldsgreat books for 2 year olds
0 comment
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
DaddiLife

best bakugan, best bakugan toys, how to play bakugan, best bakugan to buy
previous post
The 10 Best Bakugan Ball Toys (2023 Buying Guide)
life insurance for dads, life insurance, what to do to get life insurance, applying for life insurance as dad, dad's best life insurance
next post
Life insurance: what you need to know

You may also like

The 15 Best Books For 6 Year...

28th February 2021

Get Our Audiobooks For Free

28th March 2022

The 10 best growth mindset books for...

31st January 2023

You’re Going to Be a Dad! –...

21st September 2021

The 15 best books for 1 year...

29th November 2020

Best Books for 7 year olds

15th November 2022

The 15 Best Books For 4 Year...

8th January 2021

The 15 best books for 3 year...

29th December 2020

The 15 Best Books For 5 Year...

27th February 2021

4 books you need at home if...

25th May 2023

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Audiobooks for Dads

Get the latest dad news




Popular Things to Do

  • A Parent’s Guide To Tuff Trays

  • DaddiLifeForce – The Power of Lego

  • DaddiLifeForce – New Years 2017

  • DaddiLifeForce – Chinese New Year

  • Tuff Tray Ideas: Some great ideas for creative tuff trays

Writers Community

Write for DaddiLife


  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

© 2017 - DaddiLife. All Right Reserved. DaddiLife is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.


Back To Top