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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect reading material for your little one? Look no further than Usborne Books for 2-Year-Olds! These books are tailor-made to captivate the curious minds of toddlers, offering a delightful blend of fun and learning. Whether you're looking for a bedtime story or an interactive book to engage your child during the day, Usborne has something that will light up your child's imagination. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks from the Usborne collection for 2-year-olds!

Fun Usborne Books for 2-Year-Olds

• That's Not My Puppy... by Fiona Watt; Illustrated by Rachel Wells
  • Genre(s): Touch-and-Feel Book, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This engaging book features different puppies with various textures for toddlers to explore.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its sensory play enhances fine motor skills and the repetitive text helps in language development.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy sensory experiences and animal lovers.

• Peep Inside the Zoo by Anna Milbourne; Illustrated by Simona Dimitri
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: A delightful peek inside the bustling world of a zoo, with flaps to lift and animals to discover.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young children to different animals and their habitats, encouraging curiosity and discovery.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers who are fascinated by animals and interactive reading sessions.

• Very First Words by Felicity Brooks; Illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet
  • Genre(s): Early Learning, Vocabulary Builder
  • Synopsis: This book introduces basic vocabulary through colorful illustrations and simple words.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's perfect for vocabulary building and helps in developing early language skills.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to speak and build their vocabulary.

• Baby's Very First Slide and See Animals by Stella Baggott
  • Genre(s): Interactive Book, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This interactive board book allows toddlers to slide and reveal animals in their habitats.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes hand-eye coordination and keeps toddlers engaged with interactive elements.
  • Perfect for: Little ones who love interactive play and are curious about animals.

• Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers About Animals by Katie Daynes; Illustrated by Marie-Eve Tremblay
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: Filled with flaps to lift, this book answers common toddler questions about animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: It satisfies curious minds and teaches facts about animals in an interactive format.
  • Perfect for: Inquisitive toddlers who have lots of questions about the animal kingdom.

Educational Usborne Books for 2-Year-Olds

• First Thousand Words in English by Heather Amery; Illustrated by Stephen Cartwright
  • Genre(s): Language Learning, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book provides a wealth of vocabulary covering everyday situations, designed to help young children develop their language skills.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary expansion, language skills, recognition of everyday objects
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses colorful illustrations and small scenes to make word association fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are expanding their English vocabulary and enjoy picture-rich books.

• Look Inside: Your Body by Louie Stowell; Illustrated by Kate Leake
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Science
  • Synopsis: A fascinating exploration of the human body with over 100 flaps to lift and discover what goes on inside the human body.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic anatomy, curiosity about science, understanding of bodily functions
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning about the body interactive and accessible for young children, sparking early interest in science.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who have questions about how their body works and love interactive books.

• Animal Hide and Seek by Penny Worms; Illustrated by Stephen Cartwright
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Puzzle Book
  • Synopsis: This book combines animal themes with engaging hide-and-seek puzzles where children can find hidden animals on each page.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, attention to detail, knowledge about animals
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages observational skills and concentration through fun and playful hide-and-seek games.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy puzzles and discovering hidden objects in detailed illustrations.

• The Usborne Big Book of Colors by Felicity Brooks; Illustrated by Sophia Touliatou
  • Genre(s): Concept Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This visually striking book introduces children to colors through beautifully illustrated pages that include a spectrum of shades and color-related phenomena.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color recognition, understanding of shades and hues, visual perception
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a vibrant and engaging way to learn about colors and stimulates visual learning.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child fascinated by colors and engaging visuals.

• Noisy Farm by Sam Taplin; Illustrated by Stephen Cartwright
  • Genre(s): Sound Book, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This interactive book features a noisy farm environment where children can press and listen to different farm animal sounds.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Auditory skills, animal sound recognition, cause and effect understanding
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides an auditory learning experience that captivates and entertains while educating about farm life.
  • Perfect for: Little ones who love animals and are thrilled by sound books.

Challenging Usborne Books for 2-Year-Olds

• Lift-the-Flap General Knowledge by Alex Frith; Illustrated by Colin King
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book covers a wide range of topics from nature to history, each page filled with flaps to lift and discover facts and information.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces a broad spectrum of complex topics that are usually not explored in depth at this age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It broadens knowledge and satisfies the curiosity of young minds with interactive elements.
  • Perfect for: Curious toddlers who love exploring new ideas and learning about the world around them.

• Secrets of the Apple Tree by Carron Brown and Alyssa Nassner
  • Genre(s): Shine-A-Light Book, Nature
  • Synopsis: A unique book where children use a flashlight to reveal hidden creatures and elements in the apple tree environment.
  • Why this book is challenging: It requires understanding of light and shadow and interaction with the book to reveal hidden images, which are concepts beyond simple reading.
  • Why we recommend this book: It engages multiple senses and teaches about nature in an innovative way.
  • Perfect for: Young nature enthusiasts and kids who enjoy interactive and discovery-based learning.

• Count to 100 by Felicity Brooks; Illustrated by Sophia Touliatou
  • Genre(s): Educational, Counting Book
  • Synopsis: This vibrantly illustrated book takes children on a journey from 1 to 100, showing them different scenes and objects to count along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: It goes beyond basic counting to introduce larger numbers and counting in groups, which is advanced for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps in developing numerical skills and understanding of number sequences in a playful and engaging manner.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn numbers and those who enjoy detailed, colorful illustrations.

• All Better! by Henning Löhlein
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This book uses reusable sticker bandages to help "heal" the injuries of various animal characters, teaching children about caring and empathy.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of empathy and basic first aid through interactive play, which are sophisticated themes for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes empathy and caring for others while being fun and engaging through the use of stickers.
  • Perfect for: Young children who like playing doctor and are empathetic towards animals.

• One Thousand Things by Anna Kovecses
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Vocabulary Builder
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book introduces toddlers to over one thousand words, each depicted with engaging and colorful artwork.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a vast array of vocabulary and concepts, far more than typical books for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a comprehensive vocabulary builder that stimulates visual and verbal learning.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are rapidly expanding their vocabulary and enjoy visually rich books.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're exploring ways to kickstart your 2-year-old's reading journey with Usborne books, here are some fun and effective exercises to incorporate into your daily routine. These activities are designed to make reading a delightful and educational experience for your little one.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the pages of a book, looking at the pictures and talking about them before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Storytelling Swap
  • What it is: Take turns telling parts of the story, with you reading one page and your child telling the next from memory or imagination.
  • How it helps: Boosts memory, imagination, and narrative skills.
  • Tips: Encourage your child by showing excitement about their version of the story.

• Find the Sound
  • What it is: As you read, pause and ask your child to find items in the book that start with a particular sound.
  • How it helps: Enhances phonemic awareness and letter-sound recognition.
  • Tips: Start with sounds that are easy for your child to recognize and pronounce.

• Role Play Reading
  • What it is: Act out the story with your child, using different voices for different characters.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and makes reading a playful, engaging activity.
  • Tips: Use props around the house to make the story come alive.

• Book-Based Crafts
  • What it is: Create simple crafts related to the story, like drawing characters or making a paper collage.
  • How it helps: Reinforces the story's themes and characters in a tactile way.
  • Tips: Keep craft materials simple and safe for your child's age.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only make reading time more enjoyable but also significantly contribute to your child's cognitive and language development. Usborne books, with their vibrant illustrations and engaging narratives, provide the perfect foundation for these activities. So, grab a book and let the fun and learning begin!