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.
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
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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4. Oi Puppies!
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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10. The Go-Away Bird
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.
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11. Peace at Last
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.
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12. Waiting for Baby
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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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:
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.
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.
