I’m going to make this a sticky post and am hoping people have suggestions on great books for 2-3 year olds. I’ve gone to three of the public libraries in my area and am overwhelmed by the number of books in the children’s area. I don’t know where to start and I often find myself picking up books that I later find out are geared towards 4-8 year olds and my daughter doesn’t find interesting. I know I am probably missing out on a ton of great books so please leave any suggestions in the comments of this post. Thank you!
Munchkin's Book Journey 
Page (One Book At A Time) said,
August 18, 2010 @ 7:54 pm
I’ll have to pay more attention to what we check out from the library. I have a 2 1/2 year old and an almost 5 year old.
My 2 year old still loves board books. Anything short with big pictures keeps her attention.
My 4 year old loves all the Dora books, Barbie (the short story ones), and any big pictures books that deal with animals.
The1stdaughter (Danielle) said,
August 18, 2010 @ 8:23 pm
I know right where you’re at! That’s pretty much the entire reason I started There’s A Book. My son, The Turkeybird devours books like chocolate. If you haven’t read a few of these, I’d definitely recommend them:
Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt (Any in the series are great, but the 1st especially)
The Three Horrid Little Pigs by Liz Pichon
Anything by Mo Willems, but for her age the Elephant & Piggie series is great
Not A Box by Antoinette Portis
Little Pea, Little Hoot & Little Oink by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
If you need more, I am always adding to reviews from my son, just look under my “Turkeybird Speaks” category on the site. Hope this helps! :o)
dsuzuki said,
August 29, 2010 @ 8:37 pm
Daughter loves Not a Box and Scaredy Squirrel. Saw your review of Cat the Cat Who Is That? by Mo Willems and will have to check that one out. Thanks!
Zoe @ Playing by the book said,
September 8, 2010 @ 2:24 am
As a rule of thumb my 2 year old goes for books with only a sentence or phrase per page (as compared to my 5 year old who can enjoy stories with a whole paragraph or more on a single page) – so just pick up anything where the illustrations grab you and there isn’t too much text. I find that my 2 year old really loves anything with a rhyming text too. Don’t worry about picking up books that don’t do it for your kid – I’m sure you’ll find lots of great stuff, and also stuff you’ll want to remember for when your kid is older and able to enjoy slightly longer stories. Some of my best finds have come through random choices at the library!
dsuzuki said,
September 10, 2010 @ 9:54 pm
Zoe-that’s a good rule of thumb. Sometimes if a book is too wordy I’ll shorten it and make up my own sentences to make it more of her level. I just wish I had more time to browse through the books at the library. As is I’m usually trying to rush in and out before she gets fussy or the baby starts crying.
Violets said,
September 13, 2010 @ 10:48 am
Have you tried Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Cronin?
What Moms/Dads/Grandma’s Can’t Do by Wood
Most of Todd Parr’s books are great, too. (We love Todd Parr, he even answers fan mail!)
Charlie Needs a Cloak by DePaolo was always one of our favorites, too!
Sam @ Sam and Boo Book Reviews said,
September 13, 2010 @ 5:19 pm
Boo (currently 2) loves Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas, Bear Snores On and The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson, and The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson. Those latter three have more words per page than most books beloved by kids this young, but they’re very rhythmical and fun to read and listen to. He’s also still a fan of some of Sandra Boynton’s books, but at three your daughter might be outgrowing her.
dsuzuki said,
September 15, 2010 @ 7:52 am
Those all sound great. Going to request them from our library!
Janelle said,
October 29, 2010 @ 1:20 pm
All of these are my toddler son’s favorites:
Chugga Chugga Choo Choo by Kevin Lewis
Smash! Crash! by Jon Scieszka
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
I’m Dirty by Kate & Jim McMullan
Olivia books by Falconer
Have you tried non-fic? My son has also really started to like the simple non-fiction books about animals meant for beginning readers. Few words on each page and looks of pictures.
Debbie's World of Books said,
January 22, 2011 @ 10:52 pm
Just requested Smash! Crash! and Harry the Dirty Dog. Unfortunately my library doesn’t have the others 😦
Ana said,
November 8, 2010 @ 12:21 pm
My son loved ” llama, llama red pajama; llama, llama mad at mama; by anna dewdney
Pinkalicious by Viktoria Kann ( also Purplecious); Gruffalo, Lady Bug Girl by David Soman ( also Ladybug Girl and Bumble bee boy)
Debbie's World of Books said,
November 17, 2010 @ 4:39 pm
Thanks Ana! We loved Llama Llama Misses Mama. I have Pinkalicious on her wish list. Will check out the other ones.