27 Best Books for Two Year Olds Recommendations

The best books for young children involve many picture books and imagination. Bedtime stories are an important routine in our house and along the way we have found some really great books for two year olds that all center around a sweet story and hopefully lead you to making some fun and different sounds to keep your young children interested.

Whether it is bedtime or just a way to pass the time during the day, these best books for two-year-olds will serve as good books to keep them entertained and hopefully set the foundation for a love of reading for years to come.

27 Books for Two Year Olds

Top Books in 2024 for Two Year Olds

The Pout Pout Fish (series): Dive into underwater adventures with the lovable Pout-Pout Fish and his friends in this fun series by Deborah Diesen. Each book is filled with colorful illustrations and catchy rhymes that teach valuable lessons about friendship and self-acceptance. They are definitely one of my favorite children’s books.

A is for Awesome - 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World: Introduce your little one to inspiring women from history with "A is for Awesome." From Amelia Earhart to Malala Yousafzai, each page celebrates the achievements of extraordinary women in a way that's accessible and empowering for young readers. This book is a great way to introduce your child to some impactful women!

We are Golden - 27 Groundbreakers Who Changed the World: Spark curiosity and inspire dreams with "We are Golden." This beautifully illustrated book introduces children to trailblazers from diverse backgrounds who have made a significant impact on the world, encouraging them to believe in their own potential to make a difference. Talk about a delightful story book of impactful stories!

Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site (series): Wind down with the adorable trucks of the construction site as they prepare for bedtime in this charming series by Sherri Duskey Rinker. Perfect for little ones who love big trucks, each book in the series is a soothing read-aloud that helps ease children into a peaceful night's sleep.

Dragons Love Tacos: Get ready for a fiery feast with "Dragons Love Tacos"! This hilarious tale by Adam Rubin will surely tickle the funny bones of both kids and adults. Filled with colorful illustrations and laugh-out-loud moments, it's a must-have for any young reader's bookshelf. Sing the pages in animal noises for some extra fun for the young kids!

Hey Bruce (series): Join Bruce the bear and his adorable animal friends in a series of heartwarming adventures by Ryan T. Higgins. From unexpected guests to chaotic holidays, each book is packed with humor and heart, making them perfect for storytime cuddles and a fun way to end the day.

Penelope Rex books: Meet Penelope Rex, the hungry young dinosaur with a big appetite for mischief! In this playful series by Ryan T. Higgins, readers will follow Penelope as she navigates the ups and downs of dinosaur life with humor and charm. This little book makes for a great story for read-aloud time.

Tiny T. Rex: Join Tiny T. Rex on a big adventure in this sweet and uplifting story by Jonathan Stutzman. Despite being small in stature, Tiny T. Rex proves that with determination and friendship, anything is possible. With its endearing illustrations and heartwarming message, this book is sure to become a favorite.

We are the Dinosaurs: March and roar along with the dinosaurs in Laurie Berkner's playful adaptation of her beloved song. Filled with rhythmic text and dynamic illustrations, "We are the Dinosaurs" invites young readers to stomp and sing as they journey back in time to the prehistoric era and what a silly story it is!

Everything is Mama: In this adorable board book by Jimmy Fallon, little ones will giggle as they discover all the silly ways animal mothers try to teach their babies that "everything is mama." Its charming illustrations and simple text make it the perfect book for bonding and cuddling with your little one for some real life mama time.

Board Books

Poke-a-Dot books: Interactive and engaging, Poke-a-Dot books combine storytelling with tactile exploration. With each page filled with colorful dots to pop, little ones will have a blast while developing fine motor skills and counting abilities. These books offer a multisensory reading experience that's sure to captivate young minds and will help your two year old learn new skills along the way.

Our Solar System: Blast off into space with "Our Solar System" and embark on an educational journey through the cosmos. From the fiery sun to the mysterious outer planets, this book introduces young readers to the wonders of our celestial neighborhood with captivating illustrations and age-appropriate facts for the youngest listener. It is the perfect way to introduce your toddler to big concepts, all while snuggling in for reading time.

Little Dumplings: Delight in the adventures of Little Dumplings, a charming tale that celebrates friendship, diversity, and the joy of discovery. Follow along as these lovable characters explore their world, learning important lessons along the way. With its heartwarming story and vibrant illustrations, "Little Dumplings" is sure to become a cherished favorite and a special book to give at baby showers as well!

Los Angeles is….: Discover the magic of the City of Angels in "Los Angeles is…", a captivating picture book that showcases the diverse sights and sounds of this iconic metropolis. From palm-lined beaches to bustling neighborhoods, readers will be immersed in the vibrant energy of LA through vivid illustrations and engaging text. Perfect book for the end of the day as a little LA toddler!

Think Big Little One: Empower young minds to dream big and reach for the stars with "Think Big Little One". This inspiring book encourages children to embrace their potential and pursue their passions with confidence. With its uplifting message and bold illustrations, it's the perfect read for aspiring adventurers and future leaders which makes it one of the best story books on this list!

Classic Books

Goodnight Moon: Enter the cozy world of "Goodnight Moon," where little ones bid goodnight to everything around them, from the moon to the quiet old lady whispering "hush." With its rhythmic text and soothing illustrations, this beloved classic children’s book has been delighting children for generations, making it a beloved staple of bedtime routines around the world. It’s been a favorite in many kids’ books collections for a while now.

The Napping House: Join the sleepy residents of the napping house as they doze off one by one in this whimsical tale by Audrey Wood. With its gentle repetition and playful illustrations, "The Napping House" is a perfect read for naptime or bedtime, inviting young readers to snuggle up and drift off to dreamland.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Follow the journey of a ravenous caterpillar as he munches his way through a variety of delicious foods in "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle. With its vibrant collage illustrations and clever die-cut pages, this classic story not only teaches counting and the days of the week but also celebrates the miracle of transformation and the beauty of nature.

The Runaway Bunny: Join a little bunny as he imagines all the ways he could run away from his mother, only to discover that no matter where he goes, she will always find him in this heartwarming tale by Margaret Wise Brown. With its timeless message of unconditional love and reassurance, "The Runaway Bunny" is a comforting read for children and parents alike.

Courduroy: Meet Corduroy, the lovable teddy bear who goes on a heartwarming adventure in search of a forever home in Don Freeman's classic tale. With its endearing characters and charming illustrations, "Corduroy" has been capturing the hearts of readers for over half a century, teaching valuable lessons about friendship, acceptance, and the power of love. Give this classic for their second birthday.

Fairy Tales

F is for Fairy Tales: Dive into a magical world filled with fairies, princesses, and brave knights in "F is for Fairy Tales." This charming book introduces young readers to classic fairy tale characters and settings while teaching the alphabet in a fun and engaging way. With its whimsical illustrations and timeless stories, it's sure to spark imaginations and inspire a love for reading. This charming children’s book serves as the perfect lullaby for nighttime as a toddler.

There was an old Dragon who Swallowed a Dragon: Join the hilarious adventure of a hungry dragon with a penchant for swallowing everything in sight in "There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight" by Penny Parker Klostermann. With its rollicking rhymes and lively illustrations, this clever twist on a familiar tale will have young readers giggling from start to finish. This is a fun book that every classic book collection needs!

Five Minute Stories - Over 50 Fairy Tales + Stories: Settle in for a magical journey through over 50 fairy tales and stories in "Five Minute Stories." From beloved classics to lesser-known gems, this delightful collection is perfect for bedtime reading or anytime snuggles. With its bite-sized tales and vibrant illustrations, it's sure to captivate the imagination of young readers and leave them dreaming of faraway lands and fantastical adventures. You’ll find a cute story in each of the chapters! It is a beautiful book for toddlers of all ages.

Fairy Tale Pets: Fairy tale creatures become pets in this cute, funny, and chaotic story about living with timeless creatures.

2-Minute Stories for 2-Year-Olds: Two minutes is all it takes to read-aloud and look at pictures. Makes this treasury perfect for quiet time or bedtime that are perfect for toddler attention span.

Social-Emotional Learning Books

The Girl who Makes a Million Mistakes: Follow the journey of a brave girl who learns the power of resilience and self-acceptance in "The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes" by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein. Through her ups and downs, she discovers that mistakes are simply opportunities for growth and that it's okay to be imperfect. With its empowering message and whimsical illustrations, this heartwarming story encourages readers to embrace their mistakes and believe in their ability to bounce back stronger than ever. This has been one of my favorites in our home library in order to teach my son early on that mistakes are human!

The Way I Feel: Explore a rainbow of emotions in "The Way I Feel" by Janan Cain. Through colorful illustrations and simple text, this book helps young readers identify and understand their feelings, from happiness and excitement to sadness and anger. With its gentle approach to emotional literacy, it's a valuable resource for fostering empathy, self-awareness, and healthy emotional expression in children. I love the imaginative journey that it provokes and wishes that I had it early on in my own childhood!

Fill a Bucket: Spread kindness and build a culture of empathy with "Fill a Bucket" by Carol McCloud. In this uplifting book, children learn that everyone carries an invisible bucket that can be filled with acts of kindness and emptied by unkind actions. Through its simple yet powerful message, "Fill a Bucket" inspires readers to make the world a better place one bucket at a time, fostering compassion and empathy in the hearts of young readers.