10+ Best Books for 1-2-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect books for 1-2-year-olds that will captivate and educate your little one? Choosing the right books at this stage can be a game-changer in your child's development. From interactive board books to bedtime stories that soothe, we've compiled a variety of lists that cater to every toddler's needs. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to delight and engage your toddler!

Fun Books for 1-2-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This colorful tale follows the journey of a hungry caterpillar as it eats its way through various foods before transforming into a beautiful butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces concepts of counting, the days of the week, and life cycles in a simple, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy vibrant illustrations and learning basic concepts through stories.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A gentle bedtime story featuring a quiet poetry as a small bunny says goodnight to familiar things in the room.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, comforting words make it an ideal bedtime read, helping children wind down for the night.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who benefit from a soothing 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 are sequentially introduced, each asking the next one what they see.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive, rhythmic text and bold illustrations help children anticipate and participate in reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy animal characters and rhythmic, repetitive texts that encourage participation.

• 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, leading to a series of lift-the-flap surprises with different animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive with flaps to lift, which keeps children engaged and helps develop their motor skills.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and interactive reading sessions.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: The lowercase letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree and then deal with the aftermath of their adventure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a fun and lively way to help children learn the alphabet.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn the alphabet and enjoy rhythmic, playful stories.

Educational Books for 1-2-Year-Olds

• Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This engaging board book features a simple rhyming text and colorful pages with die-cut windows that hint at what's to come next.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Visual perception, object permanence, language development
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses playful rhymes and peek-a-boo surprises that delight toddlers while encouraging early literacy skills.
  • Perfect for: Young children who love interactive guessing games and playful surprises.

• First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
  • Genre(s): Educational, Word Book
  • Synopsis: A book that introduces young children to a variety of everyday items grouped by themes such as colors, activities, and foods.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary building, concept development, visual recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a broad range of common words and pictures, making it easy for toddlers to learn and recognize everyday objects.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to speak and identify the world around them.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: This charming story follows Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare as they express their love for each other in increasingly large and imaginative measures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, expressive language, imagination
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the boundless nature of love between a parent and child with tender illustrations and a heartwarming narrative.
  • Perfect for: Parents and children looking for a sweet, comforting bedtime story.

• Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: In this playful book, children join Sally the dog as she searches for her mischievous puppy, Spot, around the house.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, motor skills, object recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the fun of a hide-and-seek game with the interactive element of flaps to lift, which keeps toddlers engaged and learning.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy interactive play and animal characters.

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Nursery Rhymes
  • Synopsis: This delightful book celebrates babies from all around the world, emphasizing their similarities despite their differences.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, global awareness, fine motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, repetitive text and charming illustrations promote early literacy skills while teaching about diversity and inclusion.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers learning to count and appreciate the wider world.

Challenging Books for 1-2-Year-Olds

• Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature
  • Synopsis: This book explores the secret world of animals living under the snow during the winter.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex concepts about animal behavior and ecosystems in a winter setting.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a fascinating glimpse into a hidden natural world, sparking curiosity about science and nature.
  • Perfect for: Young children who show an interest in animals and nature.

• Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Concept Book
  • Synopsis: This delightful book uses only five words, combined in various ways, to tell a story about an orange, a pear, an apple, and a bear.
  • Why this book is challenging: The minimalist text and subtle shifts in word order offer a unique linguistic challenge that encourages language development.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful exploration of language and illustrations that encourages creativity and early reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to understand language patterns and enjoy playful storytelling.

• Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Imagination
  • Synopsis: A rabbit shows the reader that a simple box is not just a box but can be anything the imagination conjures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It encourages abstract thinking and imagination by transforming a common object into various imaginative scenarios.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates creativity and imaginative play, crucial for cognitive development at this age.
  • Perfect for: Creative toddlers who enjoy turning everyday objects into playthings.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses a simple yet profound narrative to explore themes of discovery and the joy of snow.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of a snowy day through the eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Young children who delight in the wonders of winter and exploration.

• Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Cultural
  • Synopsis: This book presents photographs of babies from around the world, showing a variety of cultural backgrounds and experiences.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces diversity and global cultures through the representation of babies in different settings.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fosters a sense of global community and early awareness of cultural diversity.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in faces and stories from around the world.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to foster a love of reading in your little ones, starting early can make all the difference. Here are some simple, engaging exercises designed for 1-2-year-olds that can help develop their reading habits from the get-go. Let's dive in!

• Read Aloud Daily
  • What it is: Spend time each day reading picture 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 more engaging.

• Point and Name
  • What it is: Point to pictures in the book and name what you see.
  • How it helps: Helps link words and objects, enhancing word recognition.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to point and try naming objects too.

• Explore Touch-and-Feel Books
  • What it is: Use books with different textures to make reading a tactile experience.
  • How it helps: Stimulates sensory development and keeps young readers engaged.
  • Tips: Let your child explore each texture as you read the corresponding words.

• Sing Along with Storybooks
  • What it is: Use books that can be sung or have rhythmic cadences.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and phonemic awareness through repetition and tunes.
  • Tips: Try to match the rhythm of the book with simple melodies your child enjoys.

• Ask Simple Questions
  • What it is: Ask questions about the pictures and story as you read.
  • How it helps: Promotes critical thinking and engagement with the content.
  • Tips: Keep questions simple and directly related to what’s visible on the page.

• Make Reading a Routine
  • What it is: Incorporate reading into your daily routine, perhaps before naptime or bedtime.
  • How it helps: Establishes reading as a comforting and expected part of the day.
  • Tips: Consistency is key; try to stick to the same times each day for reading.

Wrapping up, these exercises aren't just about reading; they're about creating a joyful, interactive experience that can spark a lifelong love for books. Start small, keep it fun, and watch as your tiny tot grows into a little bookworm! Happy reading!