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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect story books for 1-2-year-olds? Finding engaging and age-appropriate books for toddlers can be a delightful yet daunting task. Whether you're a parent, guardian, or gift-giver, you want to choose books that captivate and nurture young minds. In this blog, we’ve rounded up a variety of story books that are sure to enchant and educate your little ones. Keep reading to discover our top picks for your toddler's next favorite read!

Fun Story Books for 1-2-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 visually stimulating with its colorful and distinctive illustrations and teaches counting and the days of the week, making it educational as well as entertaining.
  • Perfect for: Young readers 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 this calming bedtime story, a young rabbit says goodnight to all the objects in the room and the world outside.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, gentle words make it an ideal bedtime read, helping to establish a soothing nighttime routine.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who need a peaceful story to help wind down at the end of the day.

• 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 colored animals are asked what they see, leading to the introduction of another animal; the pattern repeats with engaging colorful illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It features simple repetitive text that helps with memorization and provides a playful way to learn colors and animal names.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy repetition and colorful artwork.

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: A child writes to the zoo asking them to send a pet, leading to a series of lift-the-flap surprises with various animals being sent.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive with its flap-lifting feature, which keeps young readers engaged and helps develop their motor skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and interactive reading sessions.

• Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This simple, rhyming book invites young readers to guess what's peeking through the die-cut windows, ending with a surprise mirror at the end.
  • Why we recommend this book: The repetitive and playful text encourages interaction and participation, which is great for cognitive development.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who enjoy playful surprise elements and engaging with their books.

Educational Story Books for 1-2-Year-Olds

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: In this lively story, the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? As the story unfolds, the letters experience a chaotic tumble!
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm and rhyming, early reading skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines playful rhymes and bold, cheerful illustrations to make learning the alphabet fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn the alphabet and those who enjoy rhythmic, lively stories.

• 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, measuring it through wide-ranging and imaginative comparisons.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, conceptualization of size and distance, expressive language skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that beautifully illustrates the boundless nature of love between a parent and child.
  • Perfect for: Young children and parents looking for a bedtime story that celebrates love and affection.

• Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: In this engaging book, children join Sally, Spot's mother, on a search to find her missing pup. Each page features a flap that lifts to reveal a variety of hiding spots and different animals.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, animal recognition, interactive reading
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive lift-the-flap design encourages curiosity and hands-on engagement, making it a fun and educational reading experience.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy playing hide-and-seek and those who love animals.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Seasonal Story
  • Synopsis: This story captures the adventures of a young boy named Peter as he explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, understanding of weather and seasons, imaginative play
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a timeless classic that offers a delightful depiction of a child's wonderment at the simple joys of a snowy day.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who delight in the magic of snow and exploring the world around them.

• Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt
  • Genre(s): Touch and Feel Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This book invites the youngest readers to interact directly with the story by patting the bunny, feeling Daddy's scratchy face, and looking in the mirror.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory skills, hand-eye coordination, interactive reading
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a sensory-rich experience that encourages babies and toddlers to explore the world through touch.
  • Perfect for: Infants and toddlers who are beginning to explore their senses and interact with their environment.

Challenging Story Books for 1-2-Year-Olds

• 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 sit on a branch and wait, worrying and wondering when she will return.
  • Why this book is challenging: The text explores themes of separation anxiety and reassurance, which are complex emotions for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully addresses and resolves the fear of temporary separation, offering comfort and security to its readers.
  • Perfect for: Young children experiencing anxiety about separation or those who enjoy stories about animals.

• Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyme, I-Spy
  • Synopsis: In this delightful rhyming book, children are invited to spot various characters from well-known nursery rhymes and fairy tales hidden in the illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: It requires observational skills and familiarity with various fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters, which demands higher cognitive engagement.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages interactive reading and helps develop observational skills while enjoying the rhyming text.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy I-spy games and fairy tales.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: This classic tale follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden and finds himself in all sorts of trouble.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative includes advanced vocabulary and a moral lesson about obedience and the consequences of misbehavior.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a timeless story that combines beautiful illustrations with a moral lesson, engaging and educating young readers.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy animal stories and those learning about consequences and responsibility.

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: This book celebrates babies from all around the world, emphasizing their differences and the one thing they have in common: ten little fingers and ten little toes.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of diversity and similarity, which are important and complex topics for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a rhythmic, gentle narrative that celebrates diversity while teaching about anatomy and counting.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers learning to count and those beginning to understand the wider world.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A kind witch and her cat face a problem when her hat, bow, and wand are blown away during a flight. They receive help from a dog, a bird, and a frog, who all ask for a ride on her broom.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a narrative that builds on cumulative tale structures and introduces themes of teamwork and problem-solving.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging story that encourages cooperation and kindness, with vibrant illustrations that captivate young readers.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy tales of magic and adventure, and learning about helping others.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to instill a love of reading in your little ones, starting early is a fantastic idea. Here are some simple and engaging exercises designed specifically for 1-2-year-olds that can help develop good reading habits. These activities are fun, easy to do, and beneficial for early development.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flipping through the book and talking about the pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Stimulates curiosity and helps children connect images to words.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to make the session interactive.

• Read Aloud
  • What it is: Reading stories out loud to your child.
  • How it helps: Improves language skills and helps in understanding the rhythm of language.
  • Tips: Change your tone and pace to make the story more engaging.

• Name the Objects
  • What it is: Pointing at and naming objects in the book during reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and recognition skills.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to point and try to name objects as well.

• Story Prediction
  • What it is: Asking your child to guess what will happen next in the story.
  • How it helps: Develops thinking and anticipatory skills.
  • Tips: Keep the questions simple and guide them with clues if needed.

• Make it a Routine
  • What it is: Setting a specific time each day for reading.
  • How it helps: Establishes a reading habit and creates a comforting routine.
  • Tips: Choose a quiet time, like before naps or bedtime, as reading time.

• Sing the Story
  • What it is: Turning the book's text into a song or rhyming.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a fun activity and enhances memory.
  • Tips: Be creative with tunes and encourage your child to sing along.

• Reenact the Story
  • What it is: Acting out scenes from the story with gestures and props.
  • How it helps: Boosts comprehension and makes the reading experience interactive.
  • Tips: Use simple props like toys to represent characters or elements of the story.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading time can make it a delightful experience for both you and your child. Not only do they foster a love for books, but they also aid in the developmental milestones typical for children ages 1 to 2. So, grab a book and let the stories unfold in the most enriching way. Happy reading!