Updated 30th December 2021.
Reading to your three-year-old is wonderful fun. By this age, your child will likely want to join in with common rhymes or phrases that are regularly repeated. They’ll giggle at funny pictures and the adventures of silly characters. They’ll get a lot out of the experience and so will you.
Unlike books for two year olds, and one year olds though, now is the time that reading truly starts to become fully interactive. You can ask your child questions about the pictures in the book, and what might happen next to the characters in the story. The focus here is sharing. Unless it’s specifically a bedtime story (when you may want your child to quietly listen and relax) encourage them to join in.
Here's our guide on what to look for in the best books for three year olds, and our reviews for 15 of the very best books to buy.
What to consider when buying books for three year olds
If your child is at nursery /pre-school, they may be getting to know some of the sounds of letters. They might even be encouraged to retell stories or parts of stories in their own words. They will be building talking and listening skills all the time. With that in mind, here are the key things that make a book great for 3 year olds:
The 15 best books for three year olds
1. Blue Penguin
Editors Review
“It’s a heartwarming tale of friendship and belonging, and stunningly illustrated!”
Blue Penguin is different from the other penguins. Will he ever fit in?
HIGHLIGHTS
ANY ISSUES?
Editors Review
“It’s part book, part hand puppet, and Boris is very endearing."
Boris the monster is affectionate - sometimes a bit too affectionate.
HIGHLIGHTS
ANY ISSUES?
Editors Review
“A lovely book about misfits and getting along.”
A simple story about living with difference, beautifully told.
HIGHLIGHTS
ANY ISSUES?
Editors Review
“It’s fussy eating given a very funny twist.”
Monty the Monster loves yucky vegetables. It’s people he won’t eat, the fussy little devil!
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ANY ISSUES?
Editors Review
“Oliver Jeffers’ story is a little bit magical, and beautifully illustrated.”
A lost penguin, a small boy and a long journey.
HIGHLIGHTS
ANY ISSUES?
6. You Choose
Editors Review
“The dense, detailed illustrations means there’s always lots of new things to find.”
Where to live, what to wear, what to do...this brilliant book presents your child with lots of decisions to make.
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ANY ISSUES?
Editors Review
"It’s full of fun and affable charm."
Can George the dog be good on a shopping trip. He really, really wants to be, but everything is so tempting…
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ANY ISSUES?
Editors Review
"Lovely rhyming text and, yep, adorable bunnies."
A bedtime book that will have tired bunnies everywhere drifting off into a land of dreams.
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Editors Review
"A lovely little book about the power of self-belief."
George doesn’t think he’s good at much, but his wise friend Bear has other ideas.
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10. The Steves
Editors Review
"Who doesn’t love feuding puffins? A fab and original story, well told."
When Steve meets Steve, neither of them are too happy about it. Who was the first Steve, who is the cleverest?
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ANY ISSUES?
Editors Review
“It helps to teach children to control their anger, through a nice rhyming story and colorful illustrations.”
A story based on dealing with strong emotions.
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12. Animalphabet
Editors Review
“It’s beautifully illustrated by Sharon King-Chai, with pop-out pages and folding flaps.”
From bestselling Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson, Animalphabet is a vibrant introduction to the wonders of the natural world.
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13. Meerkat Mail
Editors Review
“The hugely imaginative design, with glossy postcards attached to the pages!”
A funny journey of discovery as Sunny heads off to meet his cousins.
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Editors Review
“There’s so much going on in this imaginatively designed series of Alice in Wonderland spreads, with pop-ups, mini books and much more.”
A wonderful, three-year-old friendly introduction to the children’s classic.
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Editors Review
"Funny, silly, and chaotic, and you’ll all be rooting for the cat by the end of it."
Never let your cat do the cooking, especially if you’re a witch.
HIGHLIGHTS
ANY ISSUES?
How to read to a three year old
As always, read lots and regularly. After that, what your three-year-old really wants is some interaction, and try and have the following in mind:
Three Year Old Books - Dad Stories
There's nothing we love more than seeing dads with their children during reading time. Here are some of the stories we've loved and been inspired by.
