Books Lists
10+ Best Easter Books for 2-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
As Easter approaches, finding the perfect Easter books for 2-year-olds can turn this festive season into an enchanting time of reading and exploration for your little one. Whether you're looking for stories that capture the magic of the holiday or just some fun, thematic reads, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of Easter books that are sure to delight every toddler!
Table of Contents
Fun Easter Books for 2-Year-Olds
- Llama Llama Easter Egg by Anna Dewdney
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: In this charming book, little Llama Llama experiences the joy of Easter with chocolate, Easter eggs, and a fluffy surprise.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle and engaging story that introduces toddlers to the excitement of Easter traditions in a familiar and comforting rhythm.
- Perfect for: Young children who love rhythmic, rhyming texts that make reading aloud a delight.
- Happy Easter, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: Mouse finds colorful eggs hidden all around his house. Each egg has a different color, helping toddlers learn about colors and counting.
- Why we recommend this book: It combines learning with fun through a familiar character and interactive plot that keeps little ones engaged.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive reading sessions and are learning their colors.
- Duck & Goose, Here Comes the Easter Bunny! by Tad Hills
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Stories
- Synopsis: Duck and Goose try to find a perfect hiding spot to watch for the Easter Bunny. Along the way, they encounter several challenges and learn about cooperation.
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches valuable lessons about teamwork and patience through adorable characters and a fun storyline.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories about friendship and adventures.
- Ollie's Easter Eggs by Olivier Dunrea
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Stories
- Synopsis: Ollie, a gosling, watches his friends dye Easter eggs, and then he goes on a mission to find all the eggs they hide.
- Why we recommend this book: This book offers a simple yet engaging narrative that captures the excitement of an Easter egg hunt.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love playful stories and exploring along with characters.
- Peppa's Easter Egg Hunt by Neville Astley and Mark Baker
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Media Tie-In
- Synopsis: Peppa Pig and her friends go on an Easter egg hunt at Rebecca Rabbit's house and discover more than just chocolate eggs.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fun extension of the beloved Peppa Pig series that brings the joy of Easter to life.
- Perfect for: Fans of Peppa Pig and young readers who enjoy lively and colorful stories.
- The Itsy Bitsy Bunny by Jeffrey Burton, illustrated by Sanja Rescek
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: This story follows the Itsy Bitsy Bunny as he hops along to deliver Easter treats to all his friends.
- Why we recommend this book: The rhythmic, sing-song text and cheerful illustrations make it a perfect read-aloud for very young children.
- Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy playful and musical stories that can be read aloud rhythmically.
Educational Easter Books for 2-Year-Olds
- Where Are Baby's Easter Eggs? by Karen Katz
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Lift-the-Flap
- Synopsis: A playful lift-the-flap book where readers help Baby find her hidden Easter eggs throughout the house.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Object permanence, fine motor skills, spatial awareness
- Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and colorful, perfect for keeping little hands busy and minds engaged.
- Perfect for: Toddlers who love interactive reading and exploring pictures.
- Bunny Roo, I Love You by Melissa Marr, illustrated by Teagan White
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Family
- Synopsis: A soothing narrative that compares a mother's care to that of animals caring for their young, all framed in a cozy, comforting context.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, animal behaviors, bonding
- Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle, loving story that reassures children of their parents' unconditional love.
- Perfect for: Young children who enjoy bedtime stories and need a calming read.
- Easter Bugs: A Springtime Pop-up by David A. Carter by David A. Carter
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Pop-Up Book
- Synopsis: This book features bright, engaging pop-ups of bugs that spring into action, themed around Easter.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory skills, hand-eye coordination, color recognition
- Why we recommend this book: The pop-up elements add an element of surprise and delight that encourages interaction and engagement.
- Perfect for: Kids who love tactile experiences and playful surprises in their reading.
- My First Easter by Tomie dePaola
- Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: This book introduces the traditions and symbols of Easter, from eggs to the Easter bunny, in a simple, accessible way.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural understanding, holiday traditions, vocabulary
- Why we recommend this book: It's a great introduction to Easter traditions with clear, engaging illustrations.
- Perfect for: Young readers new to the concepts and celebrations of Easter.
- Ten Easter Eggs by Vijaya Bodach, illustrated by Laura Logan
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Counting Book
- Synopsis: A fun counting book where readers count down from ten as each page reveals colorful Easter eggs and playful chicks.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, color identification, number recognition
- Why we recommend this book: It combines learning numbers with the excitement of finding out what each egg hides.
- Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn numbers and who enjoy colorful, engaging illustrations.
Challenging Easter Books for 2-Year-Olds
- The Easter Egg by Jan Brett
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: Hoppi, a young bunny, hopes to make the best Easter egg and win a chance to help the Easter Rabbit deliver the eggs. He embarks on a quest that leads to an unexpected and rewarding twist.
- Why this book is challenging: The story incorporates a more complex narrative and a deeper moral lesson compared to typical toddler books.
- Why we recommend this book: It nurtures creativity and teaches the importance of kindness, making it more than just a holiday read.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy detailed illustrations and stories with a moral.
- The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward, illustrated by Marjorie Flack
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Classic
- Synopsis: This timeless tale follows a country bunny who becomes one of the Easter Bunnies despite facing challenges and skepticism due to being a mother of twenty-one bunny children.
- Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of perseverance and gender roles in a way that's unusual for books targeted at toddlers.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a powerful message about achieving one's dreams regardless of societal expectations.
- Perfect for: Children and parents interested in classic stories with strong, inspirational messages.
- Max's Chocolate Chicken by Rosemary Wells
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Stories
- Synopsis: After Max and his sister Ruby go on an Easter egg hunt, Max finds a chocolate chicken and must decide whether to share it with Ruby.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative explores themes of sharing and sibling rivalry, which are complex social skills for toddlers.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and relatable story that encourages empathy and sharing among young readers.
- Perfect for: Youngsters who enjoy stories about family dynamics and learning social skills.
- Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Folklore
- Synopsis: Babushka, known for her beautifully painted eggs, finds her life changed after she rescues a wounded goose, which lays a series of extraordinary eggs.
- Why this book is challenging: The book introduces elements of traditional folklore and the art of egg painting, which are sophisticated topics for young minds.
- Why we recommend this book: It celebrates creativity and the magic of unexpected gifts, enriching a child's appreciation for art and culture.
- Perfect for: Children who love art and stories with a touch of magic and cultural heritage.
- The Golden Egg Book by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Classic
- Synopsis: A lonely little bunny finds an egg, and he speculates about what is inside. His interaction with the egg leads to a surprising new friendship.
- Why this book is challenging: The use of suspense and the concept of friendship emerging from loneliness are profound themes for toddlers.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a classic story that explores curiosity and friendship through delightful and engaging illustrations.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy gentle stories about friendships and surprises.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Easter is a wonderful time for little ones, filled with colorful eggs, bunnies, and of course, story time! As you introduce your 2-year-old to Easter books, here are some engaging exercises that can help develop their reading habits early on. These activities are designed to be fun and educational, enhancing your child's reading experience during this festive season.
- Picture Walk
- What it is: Flip through the pages of the Easter book and talk about the pictures before reading the text.
- How it helps: Encourages visual literacy and helps your child link images to words.
- Tips: Ask your child to describe what they see and guess what might happen in the story.
- Repetitive Phrase Reading
- What it is: Choose books with repetitive phrases and encourage your child to say the phrases with you.
- How it helps: Builds confidence in reading and aids in memorization and word recognition.
- Tips: Emphasize the repetitive phrases with excitement to make participation fun.
- Story Role-Play
- What it is: Act out parts of the story with your child after reading the book.
- How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps your child recall story details.
- Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-play more engaging and memorable.
- Interactive Reading
- What it is: Ask questions and encourage your child to point to things on the page as you read together.
- How it helps: Promotes interactive learning and keeps your child engaged in the story.
- Tips: Keep questions simple and related to the pictures or themes in the book.
- Sound Out Words
- What it is: Help your child to sound out simple words in the story.
- How it helps: Introduces phonics and basic word decoding skills.
- Tips: Be patient and praise any effort, even if they don't get it right the first time.
Integrating these simple exercises into your reading routine can make Easter book reading not only a fun activity but also an educational one. These activities help lay the foundation for good reading habits and enhance your child's enjoyment of books. Happy reading and Happy Easter!