50 Best Books for 3-Year-Olds: 2024 Picks

This story begins with an illustration of a mother and her child walking hand in hand while holding balloons. The mother wonders about all the fantastic things her daughter could do when she grows up.

The book uses simple rhymes and illustrations of animals, superheroes, and plants, among others, to explore different possibilities for a child. The book inspires children to dream about their future and know they will always have their parent’s unconditional love and support.

Meet Lami, a beloved member of her African village known for her impressive skills in catching chickens. However, Lami runs into trouble, which prevents her from catching chickens. Can she find a way around this issue?

This beautifully illustrated book captures the essence of African village life. It’s a great way to show your kids a different culture. With its engaging and rhythmic text, this book is sure to inspire both boys and girls to approach challenges with the same can-do attitude as Lami.

This is a beautiful story of a father and his son who playfully compare their love for each other.

Little Nutbrown Hare stretches out his arms and declares that he loves his father that much. Big Nutbrown Hare, being much bigger, stretches his arms even further out, also declaring his love.

This story’s free proclamation of love encourages parents to express their love for their children. Your child will be happy to know that you love them more than anything else in the world.

Get all your giggles out during this hilarious story about how much dragons love tacos. The problem is… they hate spicy salsa!

You’ll learn all the secrets to making the perfect tacos for your dragon friends and how to throw an awesome party for them. Watch out for what might happen if you accidentally serve them spicy salsa.

The randomness of this book will send any three-year-old into a laughing fit.

With colorful full-page illustrations, this book explores the bedtime routines of young diggers, fire engines, and other trucks. Some ask for hugs, others put away their toys, take a bath, brush their teeth, and so much more.

The repetitive questions will have your child think about their own bedtime rituals and help reinforce them. Plus, you get to snuggle for a bedtime story!

Four kids wonder what their parents do in their absence all day. Are they jumping on trampolines? Making everyone practice good manners? Or… are they eating candy without them?!

This picture book features vivid and colorful illustrations, an abundance of candy, and lyrical text that appeals even to the youngest kids.

Your toddler might not love this book at first. After all, it has no pictures. But once you start reading it, they’ll soon be laughing at each page.

This book is a perfect read-aloud book since the words on each page are so ridiculous! You’ll learn new words, such as BLUURF or BLORK. Parents, this book will take you on a crazy (and kind of embarrassing) adventure of pretending you’re a robot monkey and singing a silly song about eating ants for breakfast!

This is a heartwarming story of Corduroy, a little bear in a store who wants someone to take him home. One day, a little girl named Lisa comes along and wants to buy him. Her mom says no because the bear is missing a button.

That night, Corduroy decides to go around the store to find himself a button. He finds a mattress full of buttons and tries to get one. Luckily for him, Lisa returned the following day and brought Corduroy to his new home, showing that imperfections do not affect the power of love.

Dick and Sally are bored at home on a rainy day. Suddenly, something goes “bump!” and it’s a cat in a hat.

The next thing you know, the cat and the fish are talking. The mischievous cat has a ton of tricks in his bag, which leads to a wrecked house, a disapproving fish, and helpless children.

Fortunately, the cat cleans up after himself and leaves before Mom comes home. This story combines nonsensical rhymes, funny facial expressions, and delightful naughtiness to bring lots of laughter.

A little boy finds a penguin at his door one morning. Presuming he is lost, the boy embarks on a quest to bring him home, which includes traveling to the South Pole.

The penguin, who hasn’t said anything all this time, looks sad as the boy leaves him behind. The little boy goes back for him, but the penguin is no longer there. He’s at sea looking for the little boy.

The two are reunited and become good friends. This book teaches the value of friendship and caring for others, particularly our animal friends.

It’s never too early to teach your kids the importance of healthy eating. In this book, we meet the caterpillar while he’s still in an egg. He hatches from the egg, feeling very hungry, and looks for something to eat.

This colorful book, simple text, and interactive design encourage fine motor skills, as well as a chance for toddlers to name all the food throughout the book.

Picture Book Winner of the Barnes and Noble Children’s & Young Adult Book Awards, this silly story is about books that eat their readers! The readers are transported into exciting stories where they meet dinosaurs and other weird creatures until they finally meet children eating books.

It’s a strange plot, but it highlights how books can transport us to different worlds and give us exciting experiences.

Told through gorgeous imagery and vivid colors, this beautiful book takes readers on a tour of planet Earth. The story moves through land and sea, teaches readers about their bodies and how to stay alive.

This lovely book is perfect for teaching three-year-olds about the Earth, their peers, animals, and how to take care of the world around them, including themselves.

Warning: it’s a little bit emotional!

Enjoy a bit of silly rhyming fun before bed with this lyrical book about a baby llama waiting for his mama to tuck him in. When she gets distracted, baby llama starts to get anxious! But the moral of the story is that Mama is always near, even when she can’t be here.

This book was designed to support emotional and social development for little ones, reminding them that they’re loved but that it’s also okay to be alone.

Read all about the funny chaos in the red brick building. Following a range of noisy sounds — such as “waaaaah!” and “pitter patter stomp” — your three-year-old can learn about all kinds of sounds.

Little ones will love the vivid illustrations while learning about the importance of being quiet at nighttime. Once everyone returns to bed, relaxing sounds will replace the disruptive ones, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

What happens when a mini mouse meets a confident lion? The little mouse is determined to learn how to roar like the strong lion! This book inspires children to be bold and brave when striving for change.

Told in easy-to-follow rhymes with vivid illustrations, this rhythmic story will capture your distracted three-year-old. And, to top it all off, the sweet and silly ending will surely make them giggle!

Finding funny stories to read with your toddler is so important. Hilarity can captivate a toddler and grow their love for reading, encouraging them to read more and more. Plus, it’s a great bonding experience.

In this silly story, an old lady swallows a fly for no apparent reason! She goes on to swallow a spider, a bird, a cat, and many more animals, all hoping to catch the fly. Your little one will laugh at the story and enjoy the whimsical illustrations.

This mischievous pigeon wants to drive a bus. He asks the reader (your toddler) a bunch of questions as he tries to convince them to let him drive the bus. Your little one can answer back to his questions. Will your toddler be able to save the day?

This interactive book captivates a toddler’s attention while teaching them how to handle the answer “No.” If your toddler struggles with being told ‘no’, they’ll learn lots from this book. And if they like it, there are plenty of other stories in the Pigeon series.

Pete the Cat loves his new white shoes. He walks down the street, singing about his favorite white shoes. But then he steps in a pile of strawberries, turning his shoes red. Your child can learn from Pete’s cheerful attitude, as he proves that nothing can bring him down!

If your little one enjoys this story, there are plenty more stories about Pete the Cat, such as where he visits the library or solves a mystery about missing cupcakes.

This book might be a tongue-twister for your toddler, but they’ll enjoy you reading it out loud to them. Together, you can try some of the rhyming words which can help with language and speech development.

But even so, it’s a funny book to sit back and read to your little one while they listen. It’s a hilarious book full of tongue tanglers and silly rhymes that will make the whole family chuckle!

When Peppa Pig goes to playgroup, it’s Friendship Day! Peppa makes happy memories with her friends and even writes special cards to each of them. Her friends let Peppa know how much they love her, reminding her she is kind and special.

This book celebrates friendship and the power of saying nice things to one another. As you read this book with your little one, take a moment to share something you love about each other.

If you haven’t introduced your child to Peter Rabbit, this is a great place to start! Mishiveious Peter Rabbit disobeys his mother and visits the forbidden garden, where he runs into trouble. This thrilling story features an exciting story and gorgeous watercolor illustrations.

The classic story of Peter Rabbit teaches children important life lessons about the consequences of their actions — and how crucial it is to trust their parent’s advice.

Whether your toddler is already a fan of Disney’s Frozen film or totally new to the story, this book is a great way to share the icy adventure with them. It follows Anna and Elsa, two sisters stuck in an eternal winter. Can Anna and her friends save the kingdom from the ice spell?

This exciting book features stunning illustrations. It’s a perfect book for a three-year-old, especially if they’re seeing some of their favorite characters in this adaptation!

Three baby owls live in a tree with their owl mommy. One night they wake up to find that their mother has disappeared. The sad and scared owls wait at home for their mommy to return, and of course, she does!

Sometimes parents need to leave their children, whether that’s to go to work or have a doctor’s appointment. But the important thing to remember is that parents will always come back, and this book emphasizes that message for toddlers.

In this almost wordless book, a zookeeper says goodnight to all the animals. But instead of going to sleep, they sneak out of their cages and follow him through the zoo. Silly animals!

Parents can make up their own words and sounds while they read this book or simply enjoy the pictures that convey the naughty animals resisting bedtime. It’s a cozy comforting bedtime story that three-year-olds will adore, time and time again!

It’s likely that your three-year-old is already craving independence! In this story, the little critter shows off all the things he can do by himself. He can get dressed, sail a boat, and even put himself to bed. But when it comes to falling asleep, they still need a little help from mom and dad.

This book is a wonderful way to encourage your child’s independence while also reinforcing the special bond between parent and child.

Toddlers have a tricky time understanding emotions. But the color monster in this book explains emotions in a simpler way for three-year-olds to understand. It attaches each emotion to a color: yellow conveys happiness; blue conveys sadness; red is anger.

Next time your toddler is trying to identify their feelings, you can ask them what color they feel like. It can be easier for them to explain their feelings when it’s broken down into something they understand.

Parents and kids praise this book for its hilarious humor! It’s a favorite with kids from the ages of three all the way into their teenage years! In this book, a box of crayons quit their job as crayons because they feel unappreciated or underused by their owner, Duncan.

Parents can read each letter using a different voice which will surely make toddlers laugh! This engaging book uses top-tier humor to tell the story of protesting crayons and a creative young boy.

No matter where these two kids go, a tickle monster is always lurking! Whether it’s Mom, Dad, Gran, or Grandpa, the two kids are constantly being tickled. You can join in on all the ticklish fun by tickling your own toddler, encouraging lots of giggles and laughter.

Books are an excellent way to teach your child valuable life lessons, and this story is no different. It follows Lou, a fire hydrant, who is often ignored (except by dogs who use him as a toilet). But on one unexpected day, Lou is allowed to help extinguish a fire!

Kids like Lou might wonder if they’ll ever do anything meaningful in life. But with time, they will discover their unique purpose and talents.

Meet Good Egg: he’s a super good egg in a world full of rotten characters. He does good deeds, like watering plants and painting houses! But he begins to crack under the pressure — literally! It’s a lot of work being good all the time.

The problem is Good Egg spent so much time caring for other people that he forgot to take care of himself! This story teaches your child the importance of self-care. Not only will they remember to take care of themselves, but they’ll understand when parents invest in self-care, too.

If your child loves this story, there are many more in the series, including The Big Cheese and The Sour Grape. 

Who doesn’t love ice cream? But when you’re waiting in line for your ice cream, being patient can be challenging! However, when you finally get your ice cream, the joy is unmatched!

Told with lots of fun language and vivid illustrations, this is a fun read that teaches patience, mindful eating, and the joy of sharing.

This sweet book is a great Father’s Day gift from your little one. It’s a fantastic book to read together, especially if you want bonding time between child and father.

The famous hungry caterpillar takes you on an exciting adventure as different animals tell their fathers what they like about them. Your toddler can join in, letting their dad know what makes them so loveable!

Before your little one falls asleep, read this inspiring bedtime story about Black women who have done incredible things. In this book, they’ll meet Mae Jemison who went to space, and Ella Fitzgerald who played amazing jazz music.

When they close their eyes and drift off, they’ll think about their dreams and ambitions, knowing they can achieve anything they want.

Halloween can be a little spooky for toddlers, but this book is funny and happy! It follows a witch flying through the sky with her cat when the wind blows away her hat, bow, and wand. Helpful animals assist the witch on her hunt for her belongings, and she kindly lets them fly on the broomstick with her. What will happen next in this thrilling tale?

This is a great book for three-year-olds and older kids, too. The rhyming scheme and exciting illustrations make it a gripping story for children and parents.

Has your child ever felt like the odd one out? Or perhaps that they don’t have the same talent as others? The story follows a giraffe named Gerald who is told he can’t dance by other animals.

This book reminds readers that if they’re a bit different than others, that doesn’t mean they can’t get involved. They just need to take a different approach. This inspiring story reminds kids that they are capable of anything they want and that you’ll always find supportive friends along the way.

Join this happy family as they head out on an adventure to find a bear! This book has been a beloved staple in home and school libraries for decades. Famous for its rhymthic journey through swishy-swashy grass and thick oozy mud, toddlers love the excitement of the adventure and the thrilling ending.

Parents can make up their own song for this book. The way my mom read it is different from the way the next mom reads it! It gives parents a unique chance to make the story their own.

Fletcher, the fox, is worried that Santa might be unable to find the rabbit’s new home, so he makes a trail for Santa Clause. As he sets out, he’s joined by a squirrel, some birds, and helpful mice who all pitch in to make Santa’s trail.

This cozy Christmas story explains some exciting details about how magical Santa is while emphasizing the importance of helping others during the holiday season.

This beautifully-illustrated story about a still stone captures what it means for time to pass. The stone remains where it is in the world as others crawl over it, as the sun sets over it, and how it is home to many creatures. But it also has a deeper meaning about how the world changes and memories remain.

With its lovely rhymes, this calming and soothing book is a great one to read during quiet time or before bed. I love that it ends with an open question for little readers to answer.

This book is a fantastic chance to explore patterns, colors, animals, sizes, and other basic details with your three-year-old. At this age, many toddlers are still learning these concepts.

This gorgeous book introduces readers to all kinds of details, such as body parts, various shapes, and weird and wonderful animals. It says “hello” to each thing on the page, making it clear to toddlers what the book introduces next!

If you want a story that reminds your child that it’s okay to stand out from the crowd and not give in to peer pressure, this book is for you!

Ferdinand is a little bull who is different from his peers. They are all a bit rowdy, but Ferdinand is quiet and calm.

Told with black-and-white illustrations, this tells the story of a quiet bull who is selected to partake in a bullfight, much to his disappointment. Because Ferdinand is confident in his peaceful nature, he doesn’t fight; instead, he sits quietly and enjoys the view. This is a great way to teach your children about going about life in a fun and down-to-earth manner.

I remember reading this one when I was a young child and being captivated by the bright illustrations and the fish’s sparkly scales. The story is all about a beautiful fish who has uniquely gorgeous scales.

However, when he refuses to share his scales, he realizes he has no friends. Feeling lonely, the rainbow fish goes on an epic adventure to figure out how to be happy and make friends. This book has many morals about friendship, beauty, happiness, and sharing. What lessons can you teach your toddler while reading this together?

Toddlers like random humor, and I think yours will enjoy this funny story about a frog who has made up a bunch of random rules. Cats must sit on gnats, dogs on logs, and ponies on macaroni!

With a fun cast of characters (especially enjoyable if you parents put on funny voices), exciting illustrations, and rhythmic rhymes, this book is excellent for reading to your child or a group of kids.

Nell, the dog, is clever beyond words! With her amazing sense of smell, she can solve an abundance of mysteries. In this story, Nell is determined to solve the mystery of the missing books.

This is a thrilling tale of a detective dog. Toddlers will love following along with Nell as she races around the town searching high and low for the thief.

Little Spinderella, a tiny spider who lives in a school with her family, wants to learn about numbers. She asks her mother and siblings about numbers, but they don’t bother teaching her. One day, Hairy Godmother appears and teaches Spinderella all about counting.

Not only is this a cute and funny story about spiders, but it also teaches readers to count from one to 20! It even sets up the basics of multiplication and division, which will be useful for older children.

It’s very important to teach your child the basics of sign language at this age, so they can communicate with hard-of-hearing people. They don’t grasp everything yet, but they can learn to spell their name or ask for help. In this book, kids will learn the sign for the letters A to Z.

The beautiful illustrations show how to make each sign. Each page features an image starting with the corresponding letter, such as asparagus for “A” and a mirror for “M.”

This book is a great way to teach your child something new while enjoying lovely pictures. It’s suitable for ages two and up, but keep in mind that it might take a year or two to really sink in!

Toddlers are curious creatures, and I think a book like this is a great solution to some of their burning questions about famous landmarks. This book educates them on what the Statue of Liberty is and represents. Using accessible language and vivid illustrations, this book captures attention of little ones in order to teach them about one of the world’s most famous monuments.

This is one of my favorite children’s books! It’s a fantastic story about why kindness matters. Felix learns all about invisible buckets, which are full when you’re happy or empty when you’re sad.

Felix discovers that when his bucket is empty, he has mean thoughts. But when someone is nice to him, his bucket fills back up, and he has kinder thoughts. As a fellow parent, I love that this teaches the importance of being nice to others. It makes them feel good, and in return, everyone will be kinder.

Toddlers are often fascinated by basic bodily functions, like pooping. I recommend this excellent choice if you want a book to read during potty training. It showcases how different species poop, including camels, fish, and humans.

It also highlights how grown-ups and older kids use the toilet, while babies use diapers.  If your little one feels embarrassed about using a potty, this book is an excellent reminder that pooping is not only normal but also healthy!

Bringing home a new sibling is a challenge, and your three-year-old might grow through a range of unpleasant emotions, just like Bunny does in this book. When her parents adopt Wolfie, Bunny is worried that the wolf will eat them. But she soon realizes that just because something might look a little scary doesn’t mean it is.

I recommend this to all parents bringing home a new addition to the family, whether that’s an adopted baby, a biological one, or even a puppy! This story will teach your three-year-old to welcome the new addition with loving arms.