14 Must-Have Books for 2-Year-Olds
by Dena McMurdie
Two-year-olds aren’t terrible. In fact, they’re pretty awesome — especially when they have a book pressed between their chubby little hands. Some of my favorite memories of my kids as toddlers are of them snuggled on my lap with a giant stack of books.
With my youngest child nearing her second birthday, I’m digging out all the books I read with my older kids at this age. We read these books hundreds of times and I hope to read them hundreds more.
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Guess How Much I Love You
Available from:Little Nutbrown Hare and his dad try to give words to the special love that exists between parent and child. Warm and comforting, this is the perfect book to snuggle up with before nap time.
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Whistle for Willie
Available from:Peter wants to learn how to whistle, but it’s not as easy as it looks. Toddlers that enjoyed The Snowy Day will especially like this beautifully illustrated story of a young boy living in the city.
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Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?
Available from:Parents of vehicle-obsessed little ones can expect repeat requests for this story at bedtime. From diggers and dump trucks to tractors and cranes, sweet rhymes about familiar bedtime routines gently lull trucks (and kids) off to sleep.
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Adventures with Barefoot Critters
Available from:This is the cutest alphabet book I've ever seen. The adorable illustrations, short sentences, and gentle rhyme make it a favorite with toddlers as well.
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Voyage to the Bunny Planet
Available from:Every child needs a trip to Bunny Planet. In three separate stories, Janet the Bunny Queen takes three little bunny children having a hard day to Bunny Planet to show them the day that should have been. Rosemary Wells's simple stories and charming illustrations are comforting and popular with young readers.
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Wheels on the Bus
Available from:I've never met a toddler that doesn't like music. This adorable board book is just one of many sing-along stories to get your two-year-old clapping and swaying with the tune.
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Duck & Goose, 1, 2, 3
Available from:Count clouds, feet, and eyes with the help of Duck and Goose. These little birds have won over the hearts of many toddlers, including mine. My kids demanded to read this book so much I can (and do) read it with my eyes closed.
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Just for Me
This sweet primer on sharing may feel especially timely as you reach the twos. When Ruby has a friend over for playtime, her “Just for me!” catchphrase results in mishap. Luckily, Ruby’s quick to learn that sharing with friends is way more fun.
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You’re Two!
Available from:You’re Two! is a spirited celebration of a special age. Children will love the personalized feel of this little board book that looks for instances of two in the world — like two thumbs up, and two arms for hugs!
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Baby, Sleepy Baby
Available from:Perfect for snuggle time, Atinuke’s poetic song of love lulls the sweet baby in this story to sleep while Brooksbank's joyous, star-infused illustrations show a family taking turns helping to prepare baby for bedtime.
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A Little Stuck
Available from:Oliver Jeffers’s work is a favorite for kids of all ages, but this young-reader edition of his best-selling picture book is sure to induce a whole bunch of giggles. To rescue his kite from a tree, Floyd tries throwing just about everything up there to knock the kite down — from his shoe to an orangutan — in a hilariously unsuccessful endeavor.
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Up, Up, Up, Down!
Available from:This concept book about opposites is full of energy and surprises. As a little boy goes through his daily routine with his stay-at-home dad, it’s all “no, no, no, yes!” and “yay, yay, yay, uh oh!” Sound familiar?
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Grumpy Monkey
Available from:Some days we just wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Jim’s friends can’t understand why he’s acting so grumpy, but as this comical story teaches, feeling our feelings is often the best way through them.
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Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering!
Available from:Two is the age when big questions come flying, and let’s face it, we don’t always have the answers! Enter the Baby Loves Science series, which introduces high-level concepts in ways that make perfect sense for toddlers — like this one, which explores the concept of flight through a little girl who meets a bird.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2023.