Table of Contents

7 Best Books for Toddler Speech Development (2025 Reviews)

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One of the most stressful parts of parenting is fretting over whether or not your little ones are achieving their milestones on the recommended timeline. From sitting up to taking their first steps, parents are often searching for the right tools and techniques to help their children grow. As your baby reaches his or her physical milestones, by the time they grow into a toddler the focus shifts to developing their language and building their vocabularies.

Early intervention is especially key for toddlers who have limited words, however, these toddler books for speech development can be used to enhance all children’s early language skills. This selection of books for toddler speech development provides various games and strategies to create a word-rich environment for your tot to flourish.

Best Books for Toddler Speech Development

  • 1. My Toddler Talks: Strategies and Activities to Promote Your Child’s Language Development by Kimberly Scanlon

    (Best evidence based strategies — $$ )

    Why it’s great: Textbook theory and evidence-based techniques are shared in a simple and fun way that’s user-friendly. My Toddler Talks: Strategies and Activities to Promote Your Child’s Language Development demonstrates play routines that can help stimulate speech as well as how to use toys in a meaningful way to get your toddler talking. This book for toddler speech development has the advice of various speech therapists to improve your child’s communication skills without causing him or her to become overwhelmed or frustrated.

    Keep in mind: The strategies in this book for toddler speech development are better targeted for older toddlers.

    Good for: Parents who want to utilize speech therapy techniques with their toddlers that are backed by evidence.

    My Toddler Talks: Strategies and Activities to Promote Your Child’s Language Development by Kimberly Scanlon

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 2. 100 First Words for Toddlers by Jayme Yannuzzi

    (Best book to increase vocabulary exposure — $)

    Why it’s great: Helping children discover new words to express themselves, 100 First Words for Toddlers grows little ones’ vocabulary beginning with simple words that get progressively more complicated. The book for toddler speech development includes tips and tricks to help tots remember each word. The colorful, simple artwork and clear writing engage young readers and help them not only learn new words, but the meanings behind them.

    Keep in mind: This book is a paperback rather than a board book so monitor your toddler’s use to avoid torn pages.

    Good for: Parents seeking a kid-friendly book that exposes their toddler to new vocabulary.

    100 First Words for Toddlers by Jayme Yannuzzi

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Talking with Your Toddler: 75 Fun Activities and Interactive Games that Teach Your Child to Talk by Teresa Laikko

    (Best play based activities — $$)

    Why it’s great: Talking with Your Toddler: 75 Fun Activities and Interactive Games that Teach Your Child to Talk teaches you to stimulate language development in your everyday play with your toddler. With hands-on games that teach new words, tips that promote talking throughout the day, and techniques to keep kids engaged, this book for toddler speech provides numerous pathways to reach your child. Written by speech professionals, these strategies can be used and applied by parents and all caregivers.

    Keep in mind: Some of the strategies provided require additional outside work to set up and might not be feasible for all families.

    Good for: Toddlers who learn best with play-based games and strategies.

    Talking with Your Toddler: 75 Fun Activities and Interactive Games that Teach Your Child to Talk by Teresa Laikko

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. The Late Talker: What to Do If Your Child Isn’t Talking Yet by Dr. Marilyn C. Agin, Lisa F. Geng and Malcolm Nicholl

    (Best resource for nonverbal toddlers — $$)

    Why it’s great: For toddlers who are not talking and may have other concerns causing a delay in speech, this book for toddler speech development can help provide parents with practical, effective answers to the questions they have in regards to their child’s language. The Late Talker: What to Do If Your Child Isn’t Talking Yet shares how to identify the warning signs of a speech disorder and how to get the right kind of therapy and evaluation. Fun at-home activities that stimulate speech and groundbreaking evidence on nutritional supplements are also included.

    Keep in mind: Most of the guidance in this book is focused on speech apraxia rather than an overview of all speech disorders.

    Good for: Toddlers who are not yet speaking at all.

    The Late Talker: What to Do If Your Child Isn’t Talking Yet by Dr. Marilyn C. Agin, Lisa F. Geng and Malcolm Nicholl

    View on Amazon.com ➜

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  • 5. It Takes Two to Talk: A Practical Guide For Parents of Children with Language Delays by Elaine Weitzman

    (Best responsive intervention strategies — $$$)

    Why it’s great: Designed to integrate simple, effective speech strategies into everyday life in a natural, seamless way, The Late Talker: What to Do If Your Child Isn’t Talking Yet includes checklists and goal charts that makes it easy for parents to choose the appropriate interventions. The responsive intervention strategies help enhance children’s language skills by fostering enjoyable and engaging interactions. These tips and techniques can be applied during normal day activities, from mealtime and bath time to playtime and beyond.

    Keep in mind: This book for toddler speech development is on the higher end of the price range for texts on this topic.

    Good for: Parents who want responsive intervention strategies that fit seamlessly into their day.

    It Takes Two to Talk: A Practical Guide For Parents of Children with Language Delays by Elaine Weitzman

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 6. What Are They Doing? A Fun Early Learning Book of Animals and Verbs by Molly McIntyre

    (Best resources for toddler use — $)

    Why it’s great: This fun, adorable text will help your child develop simple sentence structure and delight young readers. What Are They Doing? A Fun Early Learning Book of Animals and Verbs is especially helpful for children with autism and experiencing language delays due to the clear illustrations and precise word choice. Written by a speech and language pathologist, this book for toddlers with speech development will help foster a love of language by describing animals and their actions as it relates to their own world.

    Keep in mind: Some of the word examples and associated illustrations are not realistic and may need further explanation for some early learners.

    Good for: Toddlers who want a speech development book they can use and handle.

    What Are They Doing? A Fun Early Learning Book of Animals and Verbs by Molly McIntyre

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. The Speech Teacher’s Handbook: A Parent’s Guide to Speech and Language by Molly Dresner

    (Best step by step guide — $)

    Why it’s great: The Speech Teacher’s Handbook: A Parent’s Guide to Speech and Language offers step-by-step tips and techniques to help facilitate little one’s language development. This book created for toddler speech development lays our skills in a clear and compassionate manner, making the suggestions manageable for busy parents. The functional tips can be implemented at home during the normal day-to-day activities and routines.

    Keep in mind: The book heavily focuses on articulation issues rather than the full spectrum of speech development.

    Good for: Parents who want tips and techniques broken down into manageable step-by-step chunks.

    The Speech Teacher’s Handbook: A Parent’s Guide to Speech and Language by Molly Dresner

    View on Amazon.com ➜

Best Overall

My Toddler Talks: Strategies and Activities to Promote Your Child’s Language Development by Kimberly Scanlon

The My Toddler Talks: Strategies and Activities to Promote Your Child’s Language Development by Kimberly Scanlon 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..

My Toddler Talks: Strategies and Activities to Promote Your Child’s Language Development by Kimberly Scanlon

View on Amazon.com ➜

FAQs about Best Books for Toddler Speech Development

  • 1. How can I encourage my toddler to talk?

    Creating a language-rich environment is the easiest way to encourage your toddler to talk. This might include having access to high quality children’s books, talking often to your little one about your day, as well as using these books on toddler speech development to implement key strategies and activities into your daily routine.

  • 2. Which book for toddler speech development is best for my toddler?

    When looking for a book to help your toddlers develop their speech, find a resource that works with your lifestyle so you’re more likely to use the provided suggestions. If your child is at home most of the day, opt for a book that has various games and activities you can set up on your own time. If your toddler is in school, choose a book that focuses on simple ways to advocate for your child and create a language-rich environment for when they are home.

  • 3. When should I seek professional help if my toddler is not talking?

    Follow the guidance of your pediatrician for when your child needs further intervention for language development. Take note if there are other factors that may be hindering your child’s speech, such as an underlying illness, lack of social interaction, or a hearing impairment, and communicate these to your child’s wellness team. Early intervention is key and an assessment by a speech therapist can help recognize if there is a delay.

  • 4. How do I introduce new words to my toddler?

    The easiest way to introduce new words into your children’s vocabulary is to talk with them simply and often about what is happening around them. Ensure their environment is filled with rich, diverse children’s literature with bright pictures to help build word association.

  • 5. What age should I begin reading books for toddler speech development?

    It is never too early to begin reading books for toddler speech development. Even if your child is an infant, reading ahead on developing your child’s speech can help you create a language-right environment in your home where your little one can grow his or her vocabulary.

Conclusion

Creating a language-rich environment is an essential component of helping develop your toddler’s language. This selection of books for toddler speech development provide an array of strategies and activities to implement into your daily life to help foster your child’s speaking and listening skills. From creating a language-rich environment, to setting reasonable expectations for your individual child, as well as recognizing when further intervention is needed, these speech language resources will provide all the information you need to ensure your little one is successful.