Best Toddler Books of 2023

This book helped my child right before the first day of school. It’s the story of Chester Raccoon, who doesn’t want to go to school in the forest. His mom then shares a little family secret to give reassurance when it’s most needed.

The book includes stickers, so your little one can take the kissing hand with them to fight their insecurities at daycare or school. Even if your toddler isn’t struggling with separation anxiety, it’s still a fantastic, sweet book to read. Toddlers can relate to Chester Raccoon, which reassures them that such feelings are normal and okay.

Upon its release in 1962, The Snowy Day broke new ground by presenting a realistic, multicultural urban setting. Celebrated for its inclusive portrayal of children from diverse ethnic backgrounds, it has since cemented its place as a cherished classic.

Experience the wonder of the season’s first snowfall through the eyes of a child and all the magic and possibilities it brings. This book is especially heartwarming to read around Christmas time.

Embark on an endearing journey with a duck family searching for the perfect place to rest. At last, they settle on Boston’s Public Garden. But the challenge remains: how do they safely usher their ducklings to this haven?

Along their trek, the ducks encounter a friendly police officer who displays the essence of kindness and community support. The book teaches about kindness and the importance of helping one another.

Press Here is a whimsical journey through a world of vibrant dots. While minimal in words, it brims with playful interaction. Each page invites the reader to press, tilt, or shake it, transforming a simple reading experience into an exhilarating game of cause and effect.

As toddlers gleefully follow along, they’ll be captivated by the dots’ reactions, ensuring belly laughs with each turn of the page.

Big Girl Panties takes a light and positive approach to the world of potty training. With its catchy rhymes and vibrant illustrations, the book follows a little girl’s milestone moment of trading diapers for her very own big girl underwear.

Not just a tool for potty training, it’s a delightful read that celebrates growing up, offering encouragement with a dash of humor.

With this fun, colorful book by Eric Hill, you get to help the mother dog find her lost puppy, Spot. She looks everywhere — under and over, inside and outside — she sees a lot of animals on the way, but no Spot. Your toddler can help open the different flaps to expose who’s hiding.

Beyond its playful narrative, the book cleverly introduces spatial concepts like ‘over,’ ‘under,’ and ‘inside,’ making learning a delightful game.

We all know the song, but did you know that reading it to your toddler could be even better? The book is full of goofy, mischievous images of the five little monkeys getting in trouble. There’s no lesson to the story other than not to jump on the bed.

Their antics are a visual treat, prompting giggles with each turn of the page.

Follow Trixie and her dad as they venture off to the neighborhood laundromat along with Knuffle Bunny. Through its lively illustrations and relatable narrative, the story highlights the challenges faced by non-verbal toddlers. It beautifully portrays the importance of understanding and the magic of a child’s first words.

For toddlers who are potty training, this is one book they can relate to. It addresses the process in a charming, straightforward way that’s easily understood by small children. The colorful and intriguing illustrations make it a hit.

The book discusses how to use the potty and why it’s essential to do so. It encourages confidence as tots approach this milestone. We also love this book because the story is in both English and Spanish.

Eric Carle’s timeless classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, invites children into a world of discovery. As the caterpillar munches its way through foods, toddlers learn about counting, days of the week, and how the little caterpillar transforms from an egg into a butterfly.

It’s a delightful mix of education and entertainment, and great for toddlers as they can follow along, seeing the holes the caterpillar has eaten.

How do animals say goodnight? This is a whimsical little bedtime story about a girl asking if animals are kissed goodnight and wondering how they would do it.

Giraffes must stretch high in the sky to kiss. Sloths move slowly, so they’ll still be saying goodnight after the other animals are sleeping. The book tickles your toddler’s curiosity, forcing them to use their imagination and ask questions.

In this bundle from Dr. Seuss, you’ll receive four board books wrapped together in a cute blue box. You get Hop On Pop, Oh, The Thinks You Can Think, Ten Apples On Top, and The Shape Of Me And Other Things. 

We love Dr. Seuss, and this bundle is a wonderful beginner’s package.

Join Olivia, the spirited piglet, as she navigates the festive chaos of Christmas preparations. Ian Falconer’s story is simple, with few words and sentences on each page — but the illustrations are whimsical and cute.

Toddlers can experience the December anticipations through Olivia’s eyes as she hangs stockings and eagerly awaits her gifts.

Let Elmo and friends from Sesame Street tell your little one about using the potty with this lift-the-flap book. It includes more than 30 flaps to flip, so there are plenty of things for your toddler to discover.

The book is sturdy and can easily be read while on the potty.

This book will teach the many things that hands can do other than hitting. It addresses an important topic — that violence is never okay. Instead, it shows that everyone is capable of performing positive, loving actions.

It’s bright and inviting but also durable with simple words toddlers understand. Additionally, there are tips for parents and caregivers.

For small boys, this take on the ABCs teaches the alphabet using all the things boys love.

This includes airplanes and construction vehicles, among many other things. It’s excellent for boys from an early age up to 5 years.

Toddlers can’t always label their feelings, which often leads to tantrums. The Feelings Book can help your little one learn about the various emotions they experience.

The book illustrates different moods with fun images the young reader can relate to.