Reading with your little one is a great way to bond with them while helping them develop their language and many other developmental skills. Whether it’s part of the bedtime routine or something you work into your day, thousands of books are appropriate for this age that are both fun and educational.
I’ve gathered the 7 best books for 18 to 24-month-olds to help you find some tried and true favorites you and your child will love reading together.
Why it’s great: The My First Learn-to-Talk Book: Written by an Early Speech Expert! By Stephanie Cohen is an essential text for caregivers looking to enhance their children’s speech development. This book for 18 to 24-month-olds uses simple, exciting sounds that little ones can easily imitate and slowly build on from there. The actual photographs attract young toddlers’ attention, while the gestures and facial expressions provide further context for speech development.
Keep in mind: This book is short in length and only 20 pages long.
Good for: Caregivers who want a book that can help expose their little one to new vocabulary and build a strong foundation for learning the language.
Why it’s great: This book for 18 to 24-month-olds engages all your kids’ senses in a hands-on interactive experience. The World of Eric Carle, Around the Farm 30-Button Animal Sound Book by PI Kids, stimulates young minds’ and encourages little readers to share in the reading by pressing the buttons to make various animal sounds. The art stylings of Eric Carle make this option a classic addition to your children’s library.
Keep in mind: The stiff paper helps prevent tearing but may cause paper cuts if pages are turned too aggressively.
Good for: Kids who pay attention best with books that incorporate numerous senses.
Why it’s great: The ABC Science Book (STEAM for Infants and Toddlers) by Anjali Joshi is the ideal textual companion for little scientists who are intrigued early on with the fields of science and mathematics. Rich, vibrant illustrations grab your children’s attention while the clear words help introduce early phonetic skills. This option is the perfect book to introduce the alphabet while also allowing your toddler to discover the topics of STEAM.
Keep in mind: This book currently only comes as a paperback and is not as durable as a board book.
Good for: STEAM-loving families that want to introduce their 18 to 24-month-old kids to these fields at an early age.
Why it’s great: This high-quality, durable board book is perfect for little readers who are still working on how to care for delicate items. I Love You Like No Otter by Rose Rossner is a beautifully written story that’s sure to warm the hearts of parents and relatives alike. The beautiful illustrations and sweet story ensure this book will be treasured for years to come.
Keep in mind: This book is very simple and is more of a collection of quotes rather than a true storyline.
Good for: Parents seeking a charming, engaging story that comes in a durable board book option that can withstand little hands and mouths.
Why it’s great: Your toddler won’t ever get bored with the array of options included in The Baby Einstein – My First Library 12 Board Book Set by Editors of Pheonix International Publications. This book for 18 to 24-month-olds covers everything your little one needs to know for preschool, from colors and shapes to animals and seasons. The small size easily fits into little hands, and the thick, heavy-duty pages are simple for toddlers to use and read independently.
Keep in mind: These books are smaller than many board books at only about a three-inch square and may be too tiny for adults to hold comfortably.
Good for: Families who want to invest in one book set that covers everything your little one needs to know before entering preschool.
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Why it’s great: This book for toddlers is highly interactive and makes reading come alive for toddlers. The First 101 Words: A Highlights Hide-and-Seek Book with Flaps by Highlights Learning is a great initial text to introduce your child to important vocabulary and word patterns. The lift-the-flap questions encourage your child to actively take part in storytime to keep their attention and gain all the benefits of reading.
Keep in mind: While the book is made from durable board material, the flaps are made of a thinner material and can tear if flipped too roughly.
Good for: Distracted toddlers who benefit from a book that requires various actions on their part to read.
Why it’s great: The Tuffy Farm Babies Book is the perfect companion for teething toddlers, as the pages are washable, chewable, and unrippable. Made from non-toxic, BPA-free materials, these indestructible pages guarantee this book can hold up against teether toddlers. The functional punchout hole means you can easily attach this book to your child’s high chair or stroller, so a book is always within arm’s reach.
Keep in mind: The colors of the book may fade and bleed if washed with a harsh cleaner or rubber too aggressively.
Good for: Teething toddlers who are still putting items in their mouths and need a book that won’t fall apart when wet.
The My First Learn-to-Talk Book: Written by an Early Speech Expert! By Stephanie Cohen is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
There are so many different benefits that come from reading, even at this early age. It helps little ones with their language and vocabulary, listening skills, observation skills, attention span, and much more. Depending on the types of books you choose, it can teach them letters, numbers, words, colors, shapes, and so many other things. It also helps to promote their reading skills, making it easier for them to learn to read on their own as they get older.
You can start reading to your baby as soon as they’re born – or even while they’re still in the womb! Reading is a great activity to do with your child because it helps you bond, and it’s also very calming for your child. We mentioned all the different benefits you’ll get from reading to your little one, and most of these start immediately, so it’s never too early to start reading to your child.
There is no set amount of time that’s best, but the more you read, the more your child benefits, so try to do it as often as you can make the time. At least once a day at a minimum, and it’s easy to build this into the bedtime routine. It’s also a great way to calm your child before a nap. Board books are made to be handled by babies and toddlers, so you can even set one or two near your child in the playpen to see if it captures their interest.
Definitely! Not only does this help keep your little one engaged while you’re reading, but it also helps them understand and learn more during the process. You can ask them to point to certain objects that you think they’ll recognize, get them involved with lifting flaps or touching things, and even ask them what they think about what’s going on in the story.
There are a few things you’ll want to think about when choosing a book for a child this age. The first is the size. Smaller, lightweight books are best, so your child can hold them and handle turning the pages. Board books with rounded edges are a great choice. You’ll also want to look for books with bright colors and larger fonts, making them more attractive and easier for little ones to look at and try to read. Books with rhymes are always fun for this age group, too.
It’s never too early to start reading to your child, and there are so many benefits to spending this time with your little one. There are an amazing amount of fun and entertaining books designed just for little ones from board books to lift-a-flaps to educational texts. This list covers a variety of popular books for this age group, so you should easily be able to pick up one (or all!) to add to your child’s collection.
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