Reading to toddlers is such an important thing to aid in toddler development. But, it can hard at times if your toddler is not gentle with the pages. Personally, I’ve found the best solution to the lack of gentleness from toddlers is to get board books, at least until they learn to treat paper pages well!
While we have some paper page books for our toddler, I’ve largely stuck to buying board books for Elijah. Being the active almost two year old that he is, he just isn’t always very gentle with his books. To top it off, he also went through a brief stage of deliberately tearing the pages.
For those reasons, I’ve stuck to board books for pretty much his entire book collection. After all, hard pages can’t tear, and if they can’t tear then he can look at them anytime he wants.
I’ve found that this encourages him to look at his books more, since it doesn’t depend on my availability to read to him. It’s a win-win for me.
In this post, I wanted to share some of the best board books for toddlers that we’ve found and added to our growing collection.
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Best Board Books For Toddlers
Bright Baby Touch and Feel Series
If you have a young toddler that is still learning basic words, Bright Baby Touch and Feel books are a great way to get those language skills going. Even now that my son is verbally communicating with us, he still loves to look at these books.
The fun colors and textures are the perfect way to engage your child’s sense of sight and touch. And, the simple words are a great way to work on learning basic words.
Little Blue Truck Series
The Christmas after Elijah turned one, we got him the book Little Blue Truck’s Christmas. A year later, it’s still one of his favorite books to read!
Although our copy doesn’t technically have “board” pages, it does have thicker, heavier pages to prevent tearing. And on the final page, it even has a Christmas tree that lights up when you turn onto the page.
Although we only own a few of the Little Blue Truck books, there is a whole series of books centered around the adventures of the Little Blue Truck.
Peep and Ducky Series
Of the Peep and Ducky series, Elijah currently has just Peep an Ducky Rainy Day. This is such a cute book for toddlers, whether you’re reading it to your child or your child is learning to read with it.
The book centers around the rainy day adventures of Peep, a baby bird, and Ducky, who is of course a duck. The silly fun the two have is perfect for toddlers. The series also includes the books Peep and Ducky and Peep and Ducky It’s Snowing!
Will Ladybug Hug?
Will Ladybug Hug? is a great book to help teach toddlers the concept and importance of personal boundaries.
In the book, Ladybug hugs several of her friends, after getting their consent. All but one of her friends want a hug, and the book emphasizes that it’s okay that one doesn’t want a hug.
Ladybug is respectful of her friend’s wishes. Through this simple book, toddlers will learn that others have personal boundaries, and it’s important to respect them.
Llama Llama Series
If you’re looking for a fun book series for your toddler, look no further than the Llama Llama series.
Of this series, we personally own Llama Llama I Love You and Llama Llama Red Pajama. Both are incredibly cute, and very fun to read to Elijah!
There are so many books in this series that I can’t even begin to list them all. Definitely check it out—there’s one for every season, mood, and life situation for toddlers.
Hedgehugs
I know I’m not a toddler, but Hedgehugs is one of my personal favorite board books to read to Elijah. And I like to think he likes it just as much as I do.
In this book, two best friend hedgehogs struggle to find a way to hug each other. The ending is so creative and cute it’s not even funny. Definitely worth getting for your little one!
Hey, Duck!
Elijah has recently gotten very into this book. And I can’t blame him—it’s so funny and cute. Hey, Duck! centers around the friendship—albeit strange—between a cat and a duckling.
It’s a very entertaining book to read to your little one, and will likely have you snickering as well! And, there are several other books in the series too.
Duck & Goose Series
The Duck & Goose series is another fun series perfect for toddlers. We currently only have one book from this series, Duck & Goose Here Comes The Easter Bunny.
In this particular book, the good friends Duck and Goose set off on an adventure to catch sight of the Easter Bunny. Of course, things don’t quite as planned.
The series includes numerous books involving the adventures of the two friends.
Biscuit Series
Cute and simple, the Biscuit series captures the adventures of a young puppy named Biscuit. We have both Biscuit’s Snowy Day and Biscuit’s Pet and Play Easter.
Elijah loves to read these books and look at the pictures of biscuit. Not to mention interacting with the touch and feel parts of the latter book.
With many books to choose from in this series, you’re bound to find one your toddler will love.
I’ll Love You Always
I’ll Love You Always has got to be cutest of all the board books I’ve bought, and definitely deserves to be ranked as one of the best for toddlers.
The cadence of the rhyme makes it a perfect book to read during bedtime routines.
In this book, a parent mouse goes through a soothing rhyme detailing how much he loves the baby mouse. It will melt your heart for sure.
The Itsy Bitsy Snowman
The Itsy Bitsy Snowman is definitely one of the best books to include in your toddlers board book collection.
This fun spin on the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” nursery rhyme both clever and cute. Your toddler will be sure to love it.
And, it would make a perfect addition to a winter or Christmas themed book collection.
Clifford Series
If your toddler is into dogs (mine certainly is!), the Clifford series may just be the best board book for your toddlers.
The Clifford series centers around a red puppy who eventually grows up to be an absurdly large dog—like, bigger than the house.
It’s a comical tale that is sure to amuse your toddler. Some of the books come in paperback, but there are same that you can get in the board book format.
What are your toddler’s favorite books?
Have you or your toddler read any of these books? What’s your toddler’s favorite board book?
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