24 Must-Have Books for Toddlers

Last year I created two lists of must-have titles for babies – 0-6 months old and 7-12 months old. Now, as a huge proponent of early literacy and lifelong reading, I’ll let you in on a little secret, these books can be read to kids (and adults) of all ages!

But, that being said, I often hear from parents that they don’t have any idea (beyond the classics) of books to read to their little ones. So, without further ado, here’s a list of 24 Must-Have Books for Toddlers. Again, I’m focusing on ages 1-3, but these books can be read to younger and older kids alike.

1. Animal Ark by Kwame Alexander
2. Bee-Bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park
3. Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
4. Escargot by Dashka Slater
5. Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne Lang
6. Go! Go! Go! Stop! by Charise Miracle Harper
7. Goodnight Already! by Jory John
8. Grandma’s Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
9. Have You Seen My Dragon? by Steve Light
10. Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel
11. Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won
12. The House In the Night by Susan Marie Swanson
13. How Do You Say? / ¿Cómo Se Dice? by Angela Dominguez
14. I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
15. The Library Book by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark
16. Lovely by Jess Hong
17. My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
18. Say Zoop! By Hervé Tullet
19. Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
20. Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk
21. Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Mathieson
22. Thank You, Omu! By Oge Mora
23. This Little Trailblazer by Joan Holub
24. The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal