Which Toddler Books are Best?

Describing pictures in books not only develops your child's speech, it also paves the way for learning how to read, encourages a love of learning and raises self-esteem too. Fortunately little ones usually love being read to as well as looking at books on their own.

As an experienced childcare professional, I wrote a child book review for a few of the toddler books I've come across. They are based on years of observation in nurseries (daycare centers) and toddlers at home as well as considering young children's developmental needs.

These toddler books are basically children's first non-fiction books, which really helps in their mission to make sense of the world. If you had toddler stories in mind here are reviews of toddler stories for one-year-olds and two-year-olds.

For your convenience, there's two links to find each of the books. Choosing either the UK or USA version will hopefully save you on postage.

Have a browse through these toddler book reviews and see if any would suit your little one.

First Word Toddler Books

Pros: Since toddlers love repetition they enjoy books about everyday things. I think this toddler book over-delivers on that front. With over 1,000 photographs and illustrations this book certainly widen toddlers' vocabularies!

The clear photographs of colourful objects on white backgrounds seem to appeal to toddlers the most. Little ones can soak up the knowledge of categories through the themed sections. The amount of objects aid discussion about the objects, which can include linking, comparing and counting. A big plus of this book is that the photographs are of real things rather than toy replicas, which appear in many other first word books.

My First Word is a lovely sturdy book, which has come in very handy as it's proved to be a favourite of many toddlers.

Cons: Scenes, objects and children are dotted around on the pages, so the overall feel of the book is a little cluttered and messy. I think toddlers benefit from photos of real things more than drawings. But then again, having a mixture does provide scope for learning about different media, especially if it's pointed out.

Some less verbal toddlers are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information in this book while many others lap it up. Often younger or more active toddlers prefer thinner books with less pictures per page.

My First Word Board Book (UK) My First Word Board Book (USA)

Pros: This also proved to be popular with another group of one year olds! Numbers uses bold photographs on contrasting coloured backgrounds, which catches a toddler's eye. A much loved bonus feature on this book was the textured parts on the pictures. Being able to use their sense of touch as well as sight often keeps toddlers' attention for longer.

This counting book has the added advantage of widening your child's vocabulary as well as counting skills. Some counting books use identical pictures within one group, whereas this book provides some variety while still using the same object or animal within each grouping. I found it useful in drawing the toddlers' attention to the similar and contrasting details, which most of them seem to find interesting.

Often textured panels in toddler books create weak points in the hands of enthusiastic little learners. The Bright Baby Touch and Feel range are strong little touchy feely board books and took a lot of loving!

I've used all eight of the Bright Baby Touch and Feel books with toddlers. The clear, bright object per page format and rhyming text make them just as popular as Numbers.

Cons: My only complaint is that about half the pages feature photos of toys or models rather than real objects.

Numbers (UK) Numbers (USA)

Toddler Books with Games

Pros: Flaps to lift takes reading to children from a passive activity to an interactive experience. A few one-year-olds actually squeal with excitement as they discover the hidden gems. What a great way to start a lifelong love of reading! Throughout Emergency Vehicles little ones get to find Russ the rescue dog under flaps.

Young children find emergency vehicles fascinating. There's also heaps of educational value in teaching children about them too. I can imagine that in an emergency, a toddler could find some comfort if they already understand that other people come in special vehicles to save them. There's heaps of scope for useful discussion, which is sure extend your toddler's vocabulary.

This sturdy, multi-cultural book is a good size too, larger than a lot of board books but still manageable for a tot to handle.

Cons: My only gripe is that the flaps could be a little easier to open, but they are sturdier than a lot of flaps in other books.

Emergency Vehicles (UK) Emergency Vehicles (USA)

NB: American readers should note that this book is about the British sense of the word 'holiday', meaning 'vacation'.

Pros: There's various busy holiday scenes and five labelled objects from that scene on the opposite page of each spread in this book. I've found 18 - 30 month olds in particular get very involved in finding the objects and the reading experience turns into a game. The isolated pictures provide a visual matching game as well as the age-old finding game. There's lots to talk about so it's great for building vocabulary too.

Holidays, as many other of the topics in this series, might be a new and unfamiliar experience (or as far as your toddler can remember anyway). This book is perfect for preparing for, during and reflecting on your family holiday or vacation. Most of the scenes also portray common family outings and day trips so it's handy all year around. An added feature to this book are the robust tabs with a symbolic picture to easily reference a certain theme.

Cons: Both the pages and tabs are sturdy but the binding is a bit weak for enthusiastic one year olds.

Holiday (UK) Holiday (USA)

Find the Puppy (Board book)
By Claudia Zeff and Stephen Cartwright
Rating: 9/10

Pros: This is one of the most popular toddler books in the one-year-old group. The text encourages little ones to interact and be involved with this story by finding the puppy. At the end toddlers are given some more things to find and also count. This suits toddlers so well as they have an important part to play rather than a passive one. The finding game also develops their cognitive, concentration and observation skills.

Cons: Again, I think the binding could be a little stronger but other than that it's great toddler book. It was tested to the limit with 20 toddlers constantly using it!

Find the Puppy (UK) Find the Puppy (USA)

Toddler Books to Talk About

Pros: This toddler book is perfect for developing your child's speech. Toddlers love zoo trips so much more when they know some of the animals. The Zoo is also great for reflecting back on the fun outing, which helps to develop a toddler's memory and the concept of history.

The busy but clear pictures and questions on each page of this book create lots of scope for discussion with your toddler. Since there's little funny details throughout this is also enjoyed by preschoolers. The robust tabs make it easy for little ones to find their favourite animal. The book's construction holds up nicely to children of two years and up.

Cons: There's a little too much going on in the pictures for most one year olds but two year olds love it.

The Zoo (UK) The Zoo (USA)

Jungle (Board book)
By Fiona Watt and Andy Elkerton
Rating: 10/10

Pros: This is a fun and engaging introduction to jungle life. Each spread has a few bold but realistically drawn animals with an informative background that's not too busy. The simple sentence per page provides a solid foundation of basic knowledge about this child friendly topic. I think it's handy for even young children to realise that animals don't actually come from zoos.

Toddlers' favourite feature is the touch feely part of each page. Jungle is slightly larger than most board books, which seems to appeal to toddlers. It's a good sturdy toddler book too.

Cons: I can't think of any!

Jungle (UK) Jungle (USA)

Pros: I'm impressed by the quality, feel and cuteness of Fudgy the bear. I love the fact that the books are illustrated by bold, clear photos. I think little one's get a sense of the real deal with these photos. The idea of holding a teddy bear while reading about his adventures is just brilliant and Sarah's carried it out beautifully. The one-year-old I care for enjoys it and the pages are holding up well to her enthusiastic handling too!

Cons: As long as an adult doesn't put pressure on tots to answer the question on each page about numbers and colours, it will teach rather that test the subject. It is paper so not so great if your toddler tends so rip books, it is tough for paper though.

Count With Fudgy (UK)

I hope you found the reviews of these toddler books useful.

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