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  • 10 Best Books for Toddlers in 2022 (Eric Carle, Sandra Boynton, and More) 1
  • 10 Best Books for Toddlers in 2022 (Eric Carle, Sandra Boynton, and More) 2
  • 10 Best Books for Toddlers in 2022 (Eric Carle, Sandra Boynton, and More) 3
  • 10 Best Books for Toddlers in 2022 (Eric Carle, Sandra Boynton, and More) 4
  • 10 Best Books for Toddlers in 2022 (Eric Carle, Sandra Boynton, and More) 5

10 Best Books for Toddlers in 2022 (Eric Carle, Sandra Boynton, and More)

It's every parent's goal to instill a love for learning in their child, and this cannot be done without the fundamental skill of reading. Some start while the baby is still in the womb and make holding a book a daily ritual or tradition. However, given the diverse and innumerable offerings of learning materials in bookstores and online, some parents wonder if they are giving a fitting book to their child. After all, the toddler years are very crucial, when a child goes through several developmental milestones.   


Not to worry! We've gone ahead and picked out 10 of the best books you can hand over to your little angel; you don't even have to go out to a bookstore to get them. Our favorite pick is First 100 Words by PriddyBaby for the realistic photographs, bright colors, and simple way it teaches toddlers about a wide variety of topics. Check out our buying guide below to help you select the right material for your curious child because we know you won't end up with just one or two books!

Last updated 09/26/2023
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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Book for Toddlers - Buying Guide

Our guide will help you pick out the right toddler book based on your child's age, the book's type and texture, and whether it will be read together or independently.

1

Choose a Theme That Will Help Your Child Learn

Choose a Theme That Will Help Your Child Learn

Think about what you'd like to teach your child when selecting a book for them. Many focus on basic themes about colors, numbers, words, machines, the weather, and animals. These are the most popular because they teach children about the world around them.


Others feature stories about characters your child's age going on adventures, learning about the world around them. There are also books that focus on people and identity, friendship and other abstract concepts, or emotions, and these are popular themes for toddlers as well. 

2

Decide Between Independent Reading and Reading Together

Consider how the book will be used. You can buy one that the child could engage in alone or a more complex book which you can read aloud.

Short, Safe, and Sturdy Books for Independent Reading

Short, Safe, and Sturdy Books for Independent Reading

There are many books out there that you can leave with your child to keep them engaged and entertained so you can go about getting things done! Even if they are often crawling all over the place, a book is still essential for development during their downtime. Plus, this is a critical age to get them used to the idea of physically holding a book.


Toddler books which you can hand over to your child to explore are usually full of bold, colorful illustrations, made of cloth or thick cardboard with no sharp edges. These books don't have many pages and are sturdy and easy for children to carry around and use without damaging them. 

Longer and More Interactive Books for Reading Together

Longer and More Interactive Books for Reading Together

Reading to your child encourages independent reading and sets them up with good reading habits once they start going to school. When it's parent-child engagement time, books with a story or those with lines which you can teach and say aloud to your child are highly-recommended options.


Toddlers adore having your full attention; therefore, this is the perfect time to hone their pronunciation as they start learning the alphabet and more. 


You can also grab a bedtime storybook and read it to them as they fall asleep. They also may ask you to read the same story repeatedly. It may seem pointless, but the words they hear boost language acquisition and brain development.

3

Pick Out a Level-Appropriate Book

The toddler years start when they turn one and end around three years old. At this point, they take much more interest in the design, appeal, and content of their books. 


While each child develops at their own pace and there is no definite standard stating that your child should be doing this or that at a particular age (a common concern among parents), you can use the general range below in picking out an appropriate book based on age. 

Toddlers 12 to 18 Months Old Enjoy Pictures and Repetition

Toddlers 12 to 18 Months Old Enjoy Pictures and Repetition

Picking out books for a toddler at this stage is exciting because they start zeroing in on interests such as cars, animals, fairies, unicorns, or dinosaurs. 


Pick out books with large photos and bold illustrations: the brighter, the better. You can even begin to give them books with simple stories which they would enjoy reading with you. Thick board books are best at this age. 


Go for books with songs, and don't worry if you can't sing! Look for repetitive verses that they can become acquainted with and eventually repeat. Books that teach the alphabet, counting, and colors are great at this age, too. 

Toddlers 19 to 36 Months Old Like Short Stories

Toddlers 19 to 36 Months Old Like Short Stories

As your child grows older, you can start selecting books with a fictional story or short plot. At this age, they enjoy pictures with more detail, pages filled with more information, and actions like running or playing. They start turning paper pages at this age, so it's time to switch from board books to hardcover or paperback books. 


Toddlers also love books with their favorite TV characters. They're sure to enjoy seeing these characters on paper!

4

Choose a Book Based on Texture and Type

There are many variations out there, from board books with flip pages or cloth books that develop fine motor skills. The competition is quite tough for book publishers as they strive to offer the best with their products. 

Interactive Books Entertain and Help Develop Skills

Interactive Books Entertain and Help Develop Skills

Children and parents alike love books with buttons, lights, and sound effects. Gone are the days when an interactive book only held animal noises. 


Today, we have a wide range of books teaching different things to children through sound, touch, and sight. A multisensory adventure stimulates your child's imagination and develops motor skills at the same time. 

Cloth Books Are Drool-Proof and Washable

Cloth Books Are Drool-Proof and Washable

These books are perfect for teething babies. There's no hard surface or corners to injure your baby, and they can carry, throw, or drop them without damage. And when it's covered in saliva, the book can easily be washed to make it safe for future use. 


Cloth books not only help your child release some baby stress, but they improve sensory development and are often filled with simple illustrations that teach basic skills such as the differences between textures or colors. 

Board Books Are Durable and Easy for Kids to Use

Board Books Are Durable and Easy for Kids to Use

Most toddler books come in thick board pages to make it easier for them to hold the book and flip through its pages. Board books are also very durable and can last years, even being passed down to their siblings or donated. Some board books also have interactive pages with pull-tabs with a surprise underneath, pop-ups, or textures and patterns. 

Activity Books Let Them Work on Different Skills

Activity Books Let Them Work on Different Skills

Activity books can prep your child for more engagement and learning. Grab a jumbo crayon and let them doodle through a coloring book while getting them acquainted with different shapes and boosting their fine motor skills.


Some books have built-in keyboards, tracing pages, buttons, writing activities, or pages to put stickers to recreate scenes. 

Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best Books for Toddlers

Below is a compiled list of Amazon's bestselling toddler books based on their content, material, reading level and even the author's accolades, because we know your little one deserves only the best. 
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

PriddyBaby

Look, Look!

PriddyBaby Look, Look! 1

$4.78

Low Mid

Best for New Readers to Learn First Words

2

Melissa & Doug

Around the Farm

Melissa & Doug Around the Farm 1

$14.99

High

Best Soft, Plush Book for Sensory Development

3

Marion Dane Bauer

Goodnight Moon

Marion Dane Bauer Goodnight Moon 1

$4.69

Low Mid

Best for Teaching Anatomy Through Peek-a-Boo

4

Sesame Street

If Animals Kissed Good Night

Sesame Street If Animals Kissed Good Night 1

$5.68

Mid

Best Book to Teach Hygiene

5

Sandra Boynton

The Going to Bed Book

Sandra Boynton The Going to Bed Book 1

$3.59

Low

Best to Encourage a Bedtime Routine

6

Eric Carle

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar 1

$5.18

Mid

Best Classic Story for Basic Concepts

7

Leslie Patricelli

Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book

Leslie Patricelli Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book 1

$7.93

High Mid

Best Book for Starting to Grasp Emotions

8

Tanya Emelyanova, My First Toddler Coloring Book

Fun with Numbers, Letters, Shapes, Colors, and Animals!

Tanya Emelyanova, My First Toddler Coloring Book Fun with Numbers, Letters, Shapes, Colors, and Animals! 1

$3.99

Low Mid

Best Coloring Book to Learn Letters and Numbers

9

Hervé Tullet

Peek-A-Boo Forest

Hervé Tullet Peek-A-Boo Forest 1

$8.08

High Mid

Best for Interactive Adventures

10

Dr. Seuss

The Little Blue Box of Bright and Early Board Books

Dr. Seuss The Little Blue Box of Bright and Early Board Books 1

$11.98

High Mid

Best Mini Dr. Seuss Books in a Colorful Case

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

PriddyBabyLook, Look!

Look, Look! 1
Source:amazon.com
Look, Look! 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$4.78
Low Mid
Reference price
$4.78
Low Mid

Best for New Readers to Learn First Words

Pros:

  • Uses photographs to show objects
  • Teaches colors, animals, and objects
  • Available with a padded cover, making it easy for little hands to hold
  • Shows 100 words 

Cons:

  • Some of the images and words may be confusing or conflict with one another

First 100 Words by PriddyBooks has many essentials for parents looking for their first book to introduce to their child. Realistic photographs and bright colors introduce babies to a wide variety of vocabulary topics including animals, vehicles, household objects, and other babies!


A few reviewers find some pictures and words confusing for kids or repetitive. On the other hand, most reviewers think this book is a great way to get their young toddlers to begin recognizing and pointing at common things. They also like that it's sturdy and love the diversity of children in the book. 

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

Melissa & DougAround the Farm

Reference price
$14.99
High

Best Soft, Plush Book for Sensory Development

Pros:

  • Machine washable
  • Bright, colorful pages
  • Interactive elements and textures
  • Easy to hold and turn

Cons:

  • Book does not have audio of the nursery rhyme  

This Melissa & Doug soft book brings a classic nursery rhyme to life with its plush, interactive pages. The pages crinkle, providing interesting sounds and textures. There are hidden pictures and pieces that can be pulled for a tactical reading experience. 

Some reviewers wish that it sang the nursery rhyme. However, most customers love the colors, the carrying case, and how soft it is. They also report that their children love the crinkly pages and playing with the interactive parts that hang out of the book. 
No.3

Marion Dane BauerGoodnight Moon

Goodnight Moon 1
Source:amazon.com
Goodnight Moon 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$4.69
Low Mid

Best for Teaching Anatomy Through Peek-a-Boo

Pros:

  • Available in three formats
  • Bright, colorful pages
  • Short, direct story and words
  • Interactive flaps
  • Teaches about clothing and body parts

Cons:

  • Flaps are not board book material

Toes, Ears, & Nose! cleverly teaches children about the parts of their body and various clothing items. Interactive flaps that reveal each body part provide an entertaining way to learn. A diverse group of children is featured, as are bright colors and patterns to attract the attention of a toddler.


Some reviewers feel that the book isn't durable, since the flaps are not made of the same material as the board pages. However, most parents like that this book is a quick read and shows diversity among children. They also love the bright illustrations and say that their children love to repeatedly lift and look at the flaps. 

No.4

Sesame StreetIf Animals Kissed Good Night

Reference price
$5.68
Mid

Best Book to Teach Hygiene

Pros:

  • Interactive flaps
  • Features well-known TV characters
  • Teaches good hygiene habits
  • Available in sturdy board book format

Cons:

  • Has long paragraphs that may be difficult for young readers to follow


P is for Potty! is a fun, interactive book where Elmo teaches kids how to use the potty and have good hygiene habits. This book also teaches children about accidents and helping one another learn. There are multiple interactive flaps containing surprises for children throughout the book. 


Several reviews say that their children focus more on lifting the flaps than on the story itself. Still, many other parents felt that this book's flaps and bright colors adequately keep their children entertained, and it helps their children learn to consistently use the bathroom. 

No.5

Sandra BoyntonThe Going to Bed Book

Reference price
$3.59
Low

Best to Encourage a Bedtime Routine

Pros:

  • Available in two formats
  • Fun, humorous rhymes
  • Reinforces bedtime routines
  • Simple animal characters

Cons:

  • Certain sections of the book do not reflect a standard nighttime routine

Sandra Boynton's The Going to Bed Book is a wonderfully humorous story featuring a bedtime ritual with silly animal characters and catchy rhymes. As the animals bathe, brush their teeth, and get ready for bed, the story reinforces nighttime routines for your children in a lighthearted way. It's available as a hardcover and sturdy board book.


Several reviewers are not happy that the characters exercise after they bathe, because that part got their kids wound up! They also say that, for a board book, it is thin and their children weren't engaged. But, most love the illustrations, quality of the book, and rhymes. They also appreciate that the story is short but engaging and humorous. 

No.6

Eric CarleThe Very Hungry Caterpillar

Reference price
$5.18
Mid

Best Classic Story for Basic Concepts

Pros:

  • Board book is sturdy and durable
  • Teaches days of the week, food, and colors
  • Interactive die-cut pages
  • Unique illustrations

Cons:

  • Board book is significantly smaller than the previous version
  • Fingers can get stuck in the die-cut holes

Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a classic children's book that teaches little ones about colors, food, and days of the week in a uniquely written and illustrated story. It has interactive die-cut pages to show the caterpillar's journey as it eats its way through the story. 


A few reviewers say the book is smaller than previous versions. On the other hand, most reviewers say that this classic book is a necessity. Their children love the colors, the die-cut pages in the book, and reading about all of the things the caterpillar eats. 

No.7

Leslie PatricelliDear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book

Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book 1
Source:amazon.com
Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$7.93
High Mid

Best Book for Starting to Grasp Emotions

Pros:

  • Available in three formats
  • Introduces and explains feelings to young audiences
  • Bright, colorful pages
  • Short and relatable

Cons:

  • Requires some narration from parents
  • Highly repetitive 

Baby Happy, Baby Sad is a short, quick read that helps children identify and verbalize their emotions and the emotions of others. Its simple art and words feature different situations where babies can feel positive and negative feelings. This book is available in hardcover and board books for tiny hands. 

A few reviewers find that this book is too repetitive, and wish it dealt with other emotions and had more story. However, many parents love that this book is a quick read with bold, relatable illustrations. Some also like that it encourages the parents to narrate parts and engage more with the book and their child.
No.8

Tanya Emelyanova, My First Toddler Coloring BookFun with Numbers, Letters, Shapes, Colors, and Animals!

Fun with Numbers, Letters, Shapes, Colors, and Animals! 1
Source:amazon.com
Fun with Numbers, Letters, Shapes, Colors, and Animals! 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$3.99
Low Mid

Best Coloring Book to Learn Letters and Numbers

Pros:

  • Introduces numbers, letters, and objects
  • Available in two formats
  • Large images for easy readability and coloring

Cons:

  • Recent reviews say the book is shorter and has some different content than older versions

This coloring book has large, bold-lined illustrations for easy learning. Your child can learn new words and practice their numbers and letters as they have fun coloring in each picture. Its interactive design makes it a favorite among parents, teachers, and children alike. It’s available as both a paperback and spiral-bound book for easier use.


Some reviewers wish that more was included on each page, and think it's not engaging enough for three-year-olds.  However, most reviewers find that this book is helpful for teaching kids their letters and numbers. They also love that the book is sturdy with thick pages that are easy to turn and color on, especially the spiral bound format. 

No.9

Hervé TulletPeek-A-Boo Forest

Peek-A-Boo Forest 1
Source:amazon.com
Peek-A-Boo Forest 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$8.08
High Mid

Best for Interactive Adventures

Pros:

  • Available in two formats
  • Innovative and engaging design
  • Encourages imagination and creativity 
  • Bold, easy-to-follow designs and words

Cons:

  • Might be too advanced for toddlers under two


Hervé Tullet's Press Here is an innovative take on interactive children's books. The yellow button on the cover starts your child's adventure, which encourages them to shake or tilt the book, changing what happens on every page. This provides a unique experience for parents and toddlers together or during independent reading. 


Some parents find that this book's concept is not surprising enough for their children. However, most reviewers say that this book makes learning to read fun and is very creative and engaging without using sounds, actual buttons or other traditional features of interactive books. 

No.10

Dr. SeussThe Little Blue Box of Bright and Early Board Books

The Little Blue Box of Bright and Early Board Books 1
Source:walmart.com
Reference price
$11.98
High Mid

Best Mini Dr. Seuss Books in a Colorful Case

Pros:

  • Includes four board books: Hop on Pop, Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!, Ten Apples Up On Top!, and The Shape of Me and Other Stuff
  • Comes in a beautiful case for carrying and storage

Cons:

  • The books themselves are quite small

Dr. Seuss books are a must-have for many homes. These four compact board books encourage independent reading, imagination, and recognition of shapes and counting in a case your toddler can take anywhere. This collection makes a wonderful gift or a great start for your child's library.


Quite a few reviewers remark that the small size of the books makes them difficult to read and share with others. Yet, most parents find this collection to be the perfect size for their kids' hands. They also say that their children love carrying around the case and storing other items in it.  

Here Are More Great Educational Items for Little Ones

If you'd like to add more enriching learning materials to your child's collection, take a look at these suggestions we've compiled for you!

Amazon's Best Selling Early Learning Children's Books

Amazon has an extensive selection of children's books for you to check out if you'd like to look into more options for your child. Click the link below to take a look at the list!

Top 5 Books for Toddlers

No. 1: PriddyBabyLook, Look!

No. 2: Melissa & DougAround the Farm

No. 3: Marion Dane BauerGoodnight Moon

No. 4: Sesame StreetIf Animals Kissed Good Night

No. 5: Sandra BoyntonThe Going to Bed Book

View Full Ranking
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