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Finding the Best Books for Toddlers in 2023

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Last Updated: 21 March 2023
musical books for toddlers

Toddlers are curious, active, and busy people! What do they like the most? Playing with parents and peers. Anything else? Yeah, they adore lying snugly in mom’s or dad’s laps and listening to captivating stories. When you together with discover the miracles of this world or giggle reading funny stories, these moments are magical in your and your child’s lives. Moreover, exciting and meaningful books help toddlers to make sense of what they think, feel, hear, see. Good stories cultivate good human qualities in a funny and engaging manner.

However, it’s not that easy to pick the best books for 5-year-olds! We all were in the situation when you begin to read a story and realize that… well, it was not the best choice. That’s why our team of parents decided to create an article about tried-and-true books. We and our tots liked them a lot!

Here is the list of the top toddler books, plus Buyer’s Guide so that you can make an educated pick.

Top 10 Best Books For Toddlers: Comparison Chart

Little Blue Truck
The Pout-Pout Fish
Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site
Dear Zoo A Lift-The-Flap Book
First Board Book Box Set
Little Blue Truck board book
The Pout-Pout Fish
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site (Board Book for Toddlers, Children's Board Book)
Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book
First 100 Board Book Box Set (3 books): First 100 Words, Numbers Colors Shapes, and First 100 Animals
$7.99
$5.00
$7.66
$5.00
$13.19
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Age
0 - 36 months
0 - 48 months
Sherri Duskey
12 - 48 months
12 - 36 months
Author
Alice Schertle
Deborah Diesen
24 - 48 months
Rod Campbell
Roger Priddy
Size
7.5 x 0.78 x 6.75 inches
6.41 x 0.81 x 6.5 inches
6 x 0.65 x 5.75 inches
6.2 x 0.5 x 6.2 inches
5.28 x 2.76 x 6.45 inches
Pages
30
34
30
18
-
Little Blue Truck
Little Blue Truck board book
$7.99
-
-
Age
0 - 36 months
Author
Alice Schertle
Size
7.5 x 0.78 x 6.75 inches
Pages
30
The Pout-Pout Fish
The Pout-Pout Fish
$5.00
-
-
Age
0 - 48 months
Author
Deborah Diesen
Size
6.41 x 0.81 x 6.5 inches
Pages
34
Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site (Board Book for Toddlers, Children's Board Book)
$7.66
-
-
Age
Sherri Duskey
Author
24 - 48 months
Size
6 x 0.65 x 5.75 inches
Pages
30
Dear Zoo A Lift-The-Flap Book
Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book
$5.00
-
-
Age
12 - 48 months
Author
Rod Campbell
Size
6.2 x 0.5 x 6.2 inches
Pages
18
First Board Book Box Set
First 100 Board Book Box Set (3 books): First 100 Words, Numbers Colors Shapes, and First 100 Animals
$13.19
-
-
Age
12 - 36 months
Author
Roger Priddy
Size
5.28 x 2.76 x 6.45 inches
Pages
-
My 1st Toddler Coloring Book: Numbers, Letters, Shapes, Colors & Animals
There's A Bear On My Chair
Feelings Book
I Can Color Toddler’s Coloring Book
T Is For Tiger Toddler's First Book Of Animals
My First Toddler Coloring Book: Fun with Numbers, Letters, Shapes, Colors, and Animals! (Kids coloring activity books)
There's a Bear on My Chair
The Feelings Book
I Can Color: Toddler Coloring Book
T Is for Tiger: A Toddler's First Book of Animals
$4.10
$7.54
$7.93
$4.99
$3.90
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Age
12 - 36 months
12 - 60 months
0 - 36 months
24 - 48 months
24 - 48 months
Author
Tanya Emelyanova
Ross Collins
Todd Parr
-
Laura Watkins
Size
8.4 x 0.5 x 10.8 inches
7.06 x 0.65 x 7.06 inches
6.95 x 0.65 x 6.95 inches
8.5 x 0.12 x 11 inches
7.8 x 0.3 x 7.9 inches
Pages
96
24
24
50
46
My 1st Toddler Coloring Book: Numbers, Letters, Shapes, Colors & Animals
My First Toddler Coloring Book: Fun with Numbers, Letters, Shapes, Colors, and Animals! (Kids coloring activity books)
$4.10
-
-
Age
12 - 36 months
Author
Tanya Emelyanova
Size
8.4 x 0.5 x 10.8 inches
Pages
96
There's A Bear On My Chair
There's a Bear on My Chair
$7.54
-
-
Age
12 - 60 months
Author
Ross Collins
Size
7.06 x 0.65 x 7.06 inches
Pages
24
Feelings Book
The Feelings Book
$7.93
-
-
Age
0 - 36 months
Author
Todd Parr
Size
6.95 x 0.65 x 6.95 inches
Pages
24
I Can Color Toddler’s Coloring Book
I Can Color: Toddler Coloring Book
$4.99
-
-
Age
24 - 48 months
Author
-
Size
8.5 x 0.12 x 11 inches
Pages
50
T Is For Tiger Toddler's First Book Of Animals
T Is for Tiger: A Toddler's First Book of Animals
$3.90
-
-
Age
24 - 48 months
Author
Laura Watkins
Size
7.8 x 0.3 x 7.9 inches
Pages
46
Best Overall - Little Blue Truck Board Book Review

This best board books for toddlers was written by Alice Schertle, a poet and author of well-known and loved by many kids and parents’ writings. The story is cute, rhymes well, and offers a good message. It takes readers to a beautiful, rural area and teaches kids good human values, most especially kindness. The Little Blue Truck shows how important it is to be helpful and how just one act of kindness causes a rippling effect among your mates. The rhymes help children to learn animals, their sounds and count to 3.

If you are seeking a kind and beautiful rhyming book for toddlers, this one may be a perfect pick for you.

Best Features:

  • Has a downloadable party kit
  • Lesson of kindness
  • Great pictures

Why We Like It

  • Great message
  • The book is made of high-quality, thick cardboard
  • Perfect size - put the book into a backpack when you go out with your kid
Sale
Runner Up - The Pout-Pout Fish Review

Rhythm, rhymes, and repetition are the building blocks of children's literature, and this writing generously offers them. The story is written in quite sophisticated language, however, rhyming makes it accessible for younger kids. Children of different ages enjoy this writing: tots memorize rhymes easily, while preschoolers can develop their fluency. There are lots of characters in the book, each of them has a different personality and attitude, so parents can do many different voices, speeds of talking, etc. Listeners are hooked! This book is interesting both for kids and adults.

Overall it's a heartwarming fun and entertaining picture book for toddlers.

Best Features:

  • Good message
  • Great illustrations
  • Excellent rhythm and rhymes

Why We Like It

  • Easy to memorize rhymes
  • Interesting and cute storyline
  • Thick cardboard
Bestselling Board Book - Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site Review

Is it a challenge to put your little one to sleep? We know an excellent solution! Our third best pick - bedtime storybook for toddlers Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site. Lots of parents have noticed the soothing effect of this writing. The story flows so well, and your little one will see adorable illustrations of machines yawning and closing their eyes. If you read this book in a quiet and soothing tone, be sure that your kid will fall asleep soon. Moreover, he/she’ll memorize the correct names of all vehicles.

It is a great book for toddler boys and girls, especially if they are vehicle enthusiasts.

Best Features:

  • Ideal for little hands
  • Soothing story
  • Great illustrations

Why We Like It

  • Help with a bedtime routine
  • Kids of different ages love this writing
  • Available in different formats
Sale
Best For Learning Animals - Dear Zoo A Lift-The-Flap Book Review

This classic toddler book was written by Rod Campbell, a well-known author of many books for babies and tots. In his books, you’ll find texts with repeating words or phrases, perfect for young listeners. Dear Zoo A Lift-The-Flap Book has a simple story so that a toddler can learn animals easily. Plus, a reader can make animal sounds to add amusement to the story. It’s not lengthy and will keep little one’s attention till the last page. The design of the book is very attractive for young listeners thanks to flaps of different shapes and sizes.

If you want your child to learn the names of the animals, pick this animal’s book for toddlers.

Pros

  • Flaps are sturdy and go in different directions
  • Durable design
  • Available in different formats

Cons

  • A controversial approach to pet ownership. The writing might not be suitable for environmentalists
Sale
Best For Building Vocabulary - First Board Book Box Set Review

This set was created by Roger Priddy, a dad of three children. He believes that fun and informative books are the most effective way to educate tots. First Board Book Box Set includes 3 little books: Numbers, Colors and Shapes; 100 Animals; First 100 Words. These learning books for toddlers will help to build vocabulary and develop speech in your little one. The design is bright and eye-catching with an ideal size for little hands. Moreover, you can make up lots of games due to this set; it’ll inspire you and your child’s creativity.

These book sets for toddlers serves the purpose of early development.

Pros

  • Suitable for infants and toddlers
  • The cover is softly padded
  • Durable, cardboard pages

Cons

  • Repeated words and pictures
Sale
Best For Learning And Coloring - My 1st Toddler Coloring Book: Numbers, Letters, Shapes, Colors & Animals Review

The book was created by Tanya Emelyanova, a professional illustrator of children’s books. Her pictures are always bright, stylish, and cheerful; kids love them. Actually, it is one of the best coloring books for toddlers because it offers 2 options - coloring and learning. While your little one is busy with fun and easy coloring, you teach him/her numbers, letters, shapes, colors, and animals. Seems too many, right? But not with this book! The images are super simple, big, and fun; they are getting more complex as the book is progressing. Kids and parents adore this item!

You’ll never make a mistake getting this color book for toddlers.

Pros

  • 100 pages of fun and education
  • Thick pages, a kid won’t tear them while coloring
  • Variety of simple but attractive illustrations

Cons

  • Pages don't stay open well
Fun Plot - There's A Bear On My Chair Review

This storybook for toddlers was written by young but talented author and illustrator Ross Collins. He has illustrated more than a hundred books for children. Parents and kids adore the writing There's A Bear On My Chair for several reasons: the plot is captivating, the ending is nice, there are great illustrations and bright colors. Furthermore, the story is easy to read, it flows well; kids can easily memorize rhymes; there are not too many words on each page. You can talk about emotions as shown by the characters’ facial expressions.

Children do not get bored with this book, even if they listen to it multiple times.

Pros

  • Perfect rhyming scheme
  • Big letters
  • The cardboard is sturdy

Cons

  • There are several lines that young kids may not understand. However, you’ll be there to explain everything
Explains Emotions - Feelings Book Review

This book for toddler girls and boys was written by Todd Parr, the best selling author of many books. He is inspiring kids and their parents with positive messages and illustrations in his texts. The Feelings Book allows parents to explain different types of feelings and emotions, from being scared to something silly like staying in a bathtub. We do like funny pictures and phrases which make the writing easy to understand for young kids. This item is sturdy and can survive even during rough plays.

The book will help little ones to understand better themselves and their peeps.

Pros

  • A wide spectrum of emotions
  • Tots like reading it multiple times
  • Durable thick cardboard

Cons

  • Doesn’t explain some basic emotions
Big And Simple Pictures - I Can Color Toddler’s Coloring Book Review

Need to keep your little one entertained? Want to free some time for yourself? We know the solution - a good coloring book! I Can Color Toddler’s Coloring Book has 50 pages with cute pictures to color. The pictures are quite big and simple so that even younger children don’t feel frustrated. However, images become more complex as the ook goes. Working with this color book for toddlers, you can go over animals, letters which are on the pages. This item is excellent for preschoolers to learn motor control with writing tools.

It is a basic coloring book with big, nice simple pictures; it’ll keep your little one entertained for a long time.

Pros

  • Big, cute coloring book
  • Sturdy cover
  • Reasonable price

Cons

  • Paper is not of high quality
Sale
Best For Learning Animals+Alphabet - T Is For Tiger Toddler's First Book Of Animals Review

If you are looking for educational books for toddlers, here it is. T Is For Tiger Toddler's First Book Of Animals is the best and one of the most creative ways to learn the alphabet and animals. What we like the most is that the author showed not only home and barnyard animals but also wild, exotic ones. Both children and parents will be captivated by creatures from far-away lands - it’s so exciting to discover the world together with your little one. There are lots of interesting and educational facts about the animals in this writing.

This book can make a great present for tots and parents. Don’t hesitate about this item, it’s got real educational value.

Pros

  • The book is not big, so it’s easy to carry it around in your backpack
  • At the end of the book, you’ll find a geographical map
  • Great illustrations

Cons

  • The book is not cardboard

BUYER’S GUIDE: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BEST BOOKS FOR TODDLERS

How do I introduce my toddler to a book

How Do I Introduce My Toddler To A Book?

Show your tot several books and let him/her choose. Then look at the pictures in the book together; if your kid can talk, have him/her guess what the story is about. After that read the book with proper intonation and facial expressions. If your little one doesn’t let you finish and tries to turn over the pages, allow him/her to do it. Never and ever force the kid to listen to the whole story if he/she is not willing.

How Long Should I Read Book To Toddler?

Experts recommend reading to your tot about 20 minutes daily. However, read to him/her as long as he/she wants. You and your little one must enjoy the process, no matter how much time you spend on it – several minutes or several hours.

Why are books important for a child's development

Why Are Books Important For A Child's Development?

Books inspire a child’s imagination, teach him/her good human values, helps to understand better himself/herself, and peeps around. Finally, books have educational value, children acquire information better if the writing is interesting and relevant to their age.

How To Choose The Best Books For Toddlers

Price

The price depends on the quality of the book, illustrations, popularity, etc. Generally. it starts from 5$ and goes up to 15$.

Age

Do pay attention to the recommendable age. Otherwise, writing may not be interesting for your kid. For example, even the best books for babies won’t captivate 5-year-old.

Educational Value

Think about what your kid will learn from this book – letters, numbers, colors, shapes, animals, etc. If your toddler reads, choose books with big letters for better understanding.

Illustrations

Beautiful illustrations are key point because children acquire information visually. If you offer writing without pictures, it’ll be too boring for them even though the plot is super exciting.

Rhymes

The younger children are, the more rhythmic the story should sound. Kids memorize rhymes easily, and it’s fun for them.

interactive books for toddlers

Best Books For Toddlers Types

Interactive Books For Toddlers

Interactive books for toddlers foster their love for reading. It’s impossible for active babies to just sit and listen to a story. But when they are engaged in the process, they become so curious that you can read and learn even for 30 min. Interactive books offer lots of options: look for hidden characters, bat at pages, move parts, pull something, and much more.

Educational Books For Toddlers

Thanks to educational books children can learn lots of things – the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, animals, etc. It a must-have for your bookshelf if you have a toddler. Educational books are among the best books for 5-year-olds.

Pop Up Books For Toddlers

What can be more fun than a good pop up book for a toddler? It inspires their imagination and helps them to dive deeper into the story. However, such books are not very durable, so watch your baby’s little hands!

Musical Books For Toddlers

Musical or sound books for toddlers are another great option to capture kid’s attention. Little ones enjoy music, sounds, rhymes, so if you trying hard to have your child listening to a story, opt for a musical book.

VERDICT AND OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR 2023

Despite the fact that children can get all the necessary information from the internet and other sources, books remain a crucial part of their development. They learn lots of skills and values from good stories and rhymes. There are plenty of book types, and we think it’s better to have them all so that your kid can pick his/her favorite one. The books on our list are the best on the market. But our test showed that the Little Blue Truck Board Book is the most favorite among tots and parents. So, we, at parenthoodroutine.com, consider it the best book for toddlers 2023. The story is cute, rhymes well and offers a good message. It takes readers to a beautiful, rural area and teaches kids good human values, most especially kindness. The Little Blue Truck shows how important it is to be helpful and how just one act of kindness causes a rippling effect among your mates. The rhymes help children to learn animals, their sounds and count to 3.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Each child develops at his/her own pace. But as a rule, by the age of 2 kids can memorize their favorite stories or rhymes. So, yes, it’s normal.

Here are several tips for you:

  • Choose captivating books with great illustrations
  • Try thematic writings, for example, fall books for toddlers
  • Read short and simple but often
  • Ask questions
  • Role-play stories you’ve read
  • Finally, don’t expect your kid to sit still while you are reading. Even if it’s an educational book, something like counting book for toddlers, try to make the process of learning fun.

Never and ever do this! Otherwise, your toddler will hate reading. You don’t want that, do you? Try to choose the most suitable and interesting book for him/her. You will succeed, don’t give up!

Topics:
for toddlers
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PRODUCTS TESTED BY Parenthoodroutine.com
How We Tested

We are a team of parents with multiple children and we read all these books to our kids. But when we decided to create this post, we thought it would be wise to test the books we had previously chosen. So, we read all available the best books for toddlers reviews and customers’ reports. After that, we asked families with kids to read the books and give their feedback. When we had all the needed information, we finally came up with this article.

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