10+ Best Books for 1.5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect books for 1.5-year-olds that will capture their imagination and help in their development? You've come to the right place! Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, finding books that engage and entertain toddlers can be a delightful challenge. Keep reading as we explore a variety of wonderful books for 1.5-year-olds that are sure to enchant and educate the little ones in your life.

Fun Books for 1.5-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This colorful story 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 introduces concepts of counting, days of the week, and life cycles in a simple and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy colorful illustrations and learning basic concepts.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck—all parade across the pages of this delightful book.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, repetitive text helps build language skills and its vivid illustrations captivate young readers.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy animal sounds and rhythmic phrases.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny saying goodnight to all the familiar things in the softly lit room.
  • Why we recommend this book: The gentle, comforting text and warm illustrations make it a perfect bedtime reading that helps establish a bedtime routine.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy soothing bedtime stories.

• 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 a series of unsuitable pets, all sent back for different reasons, before finally sending the perfect pet.
  • Why we recommend this book: The interactive lift-the-flap format keeps children engaged, and the simple story helps develop prediction skills.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who love animals and interactive reading experiences.

• Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This book uses rhyming, predictable text, and interactive cut-out pages to engage young readers in a playful game of peek-a-boo.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple and repetitive phrases are easy for toddlers to understand and participate in, enhancing their reading confidence.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy interactive play and guessing games.

• 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 up the coconut tree, but will there be enough room? Oh no - Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, lively text and bold colorful illustrations make learning the alphabet fun.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn the alphabet and enjoy rhythmic, energetic stories.

Educational Books for 1.5-Year-Olds

• First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book introduces children to 100 essential first words and pictures, covering everything from food to animals to toys.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary expansion, image-word association, early speaking skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great tool for language development, helping toddlers connect words with images in a clear and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn words and parents looking for a comprehensive vocabulary builder.

• Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: Sally the dog searches every nook and cranny of her house looking for her missing puppy, Spot.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, object permanence, interactive reading
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple, repetitive text and interactive lift-the-flap features make it engaging and fun for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who love dogs and enjoy interactive search-and-find activities.

• Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: In this delightful rhyming book, children can play 'I Spy' with their favorite nursery rhyme characters hidden in beautifully detailed scenes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming and rhythm, observational skills, familiarity with nursery rhymes
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages interactive reading and helps develop early literary skills in a playful setting.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy nursery rhymes and picture puzzles.

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book features babies from different backgrounds and shows how they all have something in common.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, diversity appreciation, fine motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a warm-hearted celebration of babies and the universal joy they bring.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers learning to count and parents who want to introduce concepts of diversity and similarity.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: This gentle story features Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare, who express their love for each other in increasingly large measures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, bonding, expressive language
  • Why we recommend this book: Its sweet, simple narrative and beautiful illustrations make it a perfect bedtime read.
  • Perfect for: Parents and toddlers looking for a heartwarming bedtime story that celebrates love.

Challenging Books for 1.5-Year-Olds

• Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature Book
  • Synopsis: This book explores the secret world of animals living under the winter snow and those who roam the snowy landscape above.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of animal behavior and habitats in a winter setting, which are more complex topics for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully combines science with storytelling, encouraging curiosity about nature and the environment.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who show an interest in animals and the natural world.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure Book
  • Synopsis: A clever mouse uses the myth of a terrifying creature called the Gruffalo to fend off predators, only to encounter the real Gruffolo in the forest.
  • Why this book is challenging: The strategic thinking and problem-solving by the mouse are sophisticated concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling tale that promotes cleverness and bravery, with engaging rhymes and illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy thrilling stories and imaginative creatures.

• Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Imagination
  • Synopsis: Through simple illustrations and text, this book follows a rabbit who turns a plain box into various objects, showing the power of imagination.
  • Why this book is challenging: It encourages abstract thinking and creativity, which are advanced cognitive skills for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates creativity and can inspire children to think innovatively with simple objects around them.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who love to engage in creative play and imaginative activities.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Winter Book
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season, experiencing the simple joys and adventures the snow brings.
  • Why this book is challenging: The subtle exploration of emotions and the sensory experiences related to snow are nuanced topics for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and wonder of a snowy day, with beautiful illustrations that enhance the story.
  • Perfect for: Young children experiencing or curious about snow and winter activities.

• Journey by Aaron Becker
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Wordless Book
  • Synopsis: This wordless book tells the story of a lonely girl who draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and steps into a world of adventure.
  • Why this book is challenging: The absence of text requires children to interpret the story through pictures alone, promoting critical thinking and storytelling skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and narrative skills as children narrate their own version of the story.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy drawing and stories that allow them to create their own dialogues and scenarios.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing your little one to the world of books is an exciting journey. At 1.5 years old, children are curious and eager to explore everything around them, making it the perfect time to start nurturing good reading habits. Here are some fun and engaging exercises designed to help your toddler develop a love for reading.

• 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 and name objects, characters, and actions in the book as you read.
  • How it helps: Helps with word association and builds vocabulary.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to point and try to name objects as well.

• Interactive Story Time
  • What it is: Ask questions about the story or pictures, like "What do you think happens next?" or "What is this?"
  • How it helps: Promotes thinking and prediction skills.
  • Tips: Keep questions simple and answer them if your child is still learning to speak.

• Choose Touch-and-Feel Books
  • What it is: Use books with different textures to touch as you read the story.
  • How it helps: Stimulates sensory interaction and keeps the child engaged.
  • Tips: Guide your child’s hand over the textures as you describe them.

• Sing-Along Books
  • What it is: Utilize books that can be sung or have rhythmic cadences.
  • How it helps: Develops memory and rhythm skills.
  • Tips: Sing the book tunes during other daily routines to reinforce memory.

• Simple Re-Reads
  • What it is: Choose a favorite book and read it repeatedly.
  • How it helps: Reinforces familiarity and comfort with books.
  • Tips: Let your child turn the pages to make them feel more involved.

• Picture Talk
  • What it is: Before reading, flip through the book and talk about the pictures.
  • How it helps: Builds anticipation and contextual understanding.
  • Tips: Ask your child to describe what they see and create a story together.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about creating a bonding experience that instills a lifelong love for books. By making reading a fun and interactive part of your child’s daily routine, you lay down the foundation for good reading habits that will benefit them for years to come. Happy reading!