Good Books for a Two Year Old

I have a house full of little readers! With my littlest one weighing in, we’ve got a great list of Good Books for a Two Year Old. Happy Reading! 

Two is such a fun age for little readers. We are finally graduating from the baby board books where we only point to the picture on the page and repeat a word. At two, my little one is finally interested in the story! It still needs to be a short story, and engaging pictures are essential, but it’s so fun to finally be reading real books together.

One of my favorite things about reading with a two year old is that they are in the stage of developing their own opinions. My two year old knows what he likes now and it’s so fun to have him weigh in on what he likes to read. I know we’ve found a winner when he keeps bringing me the same book over and over to read and reread.

I put this list of Good Books for a Two Year Old together with the help of my own little two year old. On this list are books with stories short enough for a little reader to hang in there to the end. All of these books have fun, engaging pictures. Most importantly, all of the books on this list are entertaining reads for both little ones and their grown-up readers. Because we’re in the stage of reading favorites over and over and over, it’s important to me to have books around that I don’t hate reading. 

Good Books For a Two Year Old

These are all books that we’ve read, over and over, and enjoy every single time! Reading with a Two Year Old can be so much fun.

Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Bruce the Bear is a rather grouchy fellow, so it’s equal parts hilarious and adorable when four little goslings mistake him for their mother.

 

 

Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony

It’s a manner’s book, but not an annoying one. Turns out there is a proper way to ask for a doughnut. Plus, the illustrations are so fun!

 

 

Frog on a Log by Kes Gray 

A bright and colorful book full of funny rhymes. I love that Rory will sit and repeat all the rhymes long after we’ve finished the book.

 

 

Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett

It should be easy to count the monkeys, if only they weren’t too frightened to show up on the page. My two year old loves interactive books like this one. Amusing, every single time.

 

 

Don’t Push the Button by Bill Cotter 

There’s only one rule: Don’t Push the Button. But if no one is looking . . .

 

 

Night Animals by Gianna Marino 

This one makes for a fun bed time book. The animals are scared of the night animals, but as Bat informs them, they are night animals. The illustrations are the best part of this one.

 

 

Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems 

I never get tired of reading Mo Willems books. But this one is a particular favorite of mine and Rory’s. Is it possible to play catch with a snake – a snake with no arms? You’ll see!

 

 

 

The Great Sheep Shenanigans by Peter Bentley 

One of my all time favorites! A wiley old wolf by the name of Lou Pine is looking for a tasty sheep to eat and gets up to all sorts of crazy mischief.

 

 

Hairy Maclary by Lynley Dodd

I love all of the Hairy Maclary books! A friend sent a couple to me a few years ago and we’ve been hooked ever since. An adorable little dog and perfect, engaging rhymes.

 

 

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina 

This classic from the 1940’s is so wonderful. It’s been at the top of my two year old’s favorite list for a while now. While the cap salesman sleeps, a tree full of monkeys steal all of his caps. How will he get them back?

 

 

Charlie Needs a Cloak by Tomie de Paola 

I love this sweet little book about how the wool starts on a sheep and ends up a cloak for Charlie. My little one’s favorite part, however, is watching the tiny mouse on each page while he steals little items.

 

 

Happy Reading! Share your recommendations for good books for a two year old in the comments – I’d love to hear what you’re reading!