10+ Best Books for 0-2-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect books for 0-2-year-olds? Choosing the right reads for the littlest ones can be a delightful challenge. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, finding books that captivate and nurture young minds is crucial during these formative years. In this blog, we'll explore a variety of wonderful books tailored specifically for 0-2-year-olds. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to spark joy and encourage a love of reading from the very start!

Fun Books for 0-2-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This beloved book follows a hungry caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fantastic introduction to counting, the days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all wrapped in colorful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy vibrant illustrations and learning basic concepts.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: In a great green room, a young bunny says goodnight to all the familiar things in the softly lit room.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, gentle words and soothing pace make it an ideal bedtime story.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who need a calming bedtime routine.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A teacher and various colorful animals including a brown bear, a red bird, and a goldfish are sequentially introduced, each asking the next what they see.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to a variety of animals and colors through a simple repetitive text and bold illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy animal sounds and learning colors.

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: A child writes to the zoo asking them to send a pet. The zoo sends various unsuitable pets that are all sent back, leading to a perfect conclusion.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive with flaps to lift on every page, which makes it engaging for little ones, and it teaches about animals and adjectives.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who love interactive reading and animals.

• Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This simple, yet engaging book uses rhyming, predictable text and vibrant illustrations with cut-out windows to create a fun guessing game for the reader.
  • Why we recommend this book: The interactive format and playful text encourage anticipation and engagement, key aspects of early literacy development.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who enjoy playful read-alouds and peekaboo games.

Educational Books for 0-2-Year-Olds

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: The letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree and chaos ensues when all the letters come tumbling down.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm and rhyming, early reading skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a lively and rhythmic story that makes learning the alphabet fun and memorable.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn the alphabet and enjoy rhythmic, lively read-alouds.

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Counting Book
  • Synopsis: This book features babies from different backgrounds and shows how they might look different but all have ten little fingers and ten little toes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, diversity awareness, fine motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines simple counting with a gentle message of global unity and diversity.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers learning to count and observe similarities and differences in people.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him: as far as he can reach and as high as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare can reach farther and hop higher.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, bonding, measuring and comparing
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a heartwarming story of love and bonding between parent and child, perfect for bedtime reading.
  • Perfect for: Young children and parents looking for a sweet bedtime story that celebrates affection.

• Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: Sally the dog searches her house for her mischievous puppy, Spot, by lifting flaps to look behind doors, inside clocks, and under rugs.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Object permanence, problem-solving, animal recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s interactive and fun, encouraging children to guess and think as they read.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who love playing hide-and-seek and enjoy interactive reading experiences.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Seasonal Book
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploration, seasonal changes
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of the first snowfall.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are curious about nature and seasons, especially winter.

Challenging Books for 0-2-Year-Olds

• Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Multicultural
  • Synopsis: This board book presents photographs of babies from various cultural backgrounds, showcasing diversity from an early age.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces the concept of global diversity using real photographs, which helps develop a sense of understanding and recognition of different cultures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a wonderful way to introduce young children to the idea that people around the world can look different and yet share similar qualities.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who are beginning to notice and recognize faces and expressions.

• Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers, illustrated by Marla Frazee
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family
  • Synopsis: This book celebrates the daily activities of babies everywhere, highlighting how they are cared for by different people in various places.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses a narrative style that integrates a diverse range of family dynamics and caregiving scenarios, which can stimulate early social and emotional development.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a warm and inclusive view of the many ways babies are loved and cherished around the world.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are exploring their own daily routines and those of others around them.

• More More More, Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Family
  • Synopsis: Three short stories about toddlers and their playful interactions with their parents, full of love and everyday joy.
  • Why this book is challenging: The repetitive and rhythmic text combined with stories of familial love provide linguistic patterns that are advanced yet accessible for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the joyful essence of playful times between toddlers and parents, fostering an emotional bond through reading.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy repetitive phrases and seeing reflections of familial affection.

• Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: Three baby owls, Sarah, Percy, and Bill, wake up one night to find their mother gone. They wait anxiously but she eventually returns, reassuring them of her love.
  • Why this book is challenging: The theme of separation and reunion is explored in a way that's emotionally resonant but complex for young children, teaching them about emotional resilience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It gently addresses the anxiety of temporary separations and reassures children of their caregivers' return.
  • Perfect for: Young children experiencing anxiety when separated from parents or caregivers.

• Time for Bed by Mem Fox, illustrated by Jane Dyer
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: This soothing bedtime book uses rhythmic, gentle verse to depict various animals getting ready for sleep, helping children wind down at the end of the day.
  • Why this book is challenging: The lyrical and rhyming text promotes phonemic awareness and early language skills in a calming manner.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its peaceful, rhythmic language and beautiful illustrations make it a perfect bedtime read, helping to establish a comforting nighttime routine.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who benefit from a soothing, rhythmic bedtime story.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing your little ones to the world of books from an early age can set the foundation for lifelong reading habits. Here are some simple exercises tailored for 0-2-year-olds that are not only fun but also instrumental in developing early literacy skills.

• Read Aloud Daily
  • What it is: Spend some time each day reading picture books or board books aloud to your child.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and listening skills.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading session more engaging.

• Point and Name
  • What it is: Point to pictures in the book and name them while reading.
  • How it helps: Helps in word association and builds vocabulary.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to point and try naming the objects themselves as they grow.

• Explore Touch-and-Feel Books
  • What it is: Use books with different textures to let your child explore while you read to them.
  • How it helps: Stimulates sensory development and connects tactile experiences with words.
  • Tips: Guide your child’s hand over different textures as you describe them.

• Sing Nursery Rhymes
  • What it is: Incorporate books that can be sung or have rhythmic cadences.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and phonemic awareness through repetitive and rhythmic phrases.
  • Tips: Try to be expressive and rhythmic; enthusiasm can be contagious!

• Ask Simple Questions
  • What it is: While reading, pause to ask your child simple questions about the book, like identifying colors, shapes, or characters.
  • How it helps: Promotes thinking and understanding, and encourages interactive reading.
  • Tips: Keep questions simple and answer them cheerfully to maintain a positive reading experience.

• Make Reading a Routine
  • What it is: Set aside a specific time each day for reading together.
  • How it helps: Establishes reading as a regular part of your child's day and builds anticipation for reading time.
  • Tips: Keep the reading sessions short but consistent to suit your child’s attention span.

These exercises are a great way to introduce books into your little one's daily routine, making reading a fun and enriching part of their early development. Remember, the key is consistency and enjoyment, so keep the sessions light and full of smiles!