Fun Read Alouds for Toddlers

I am forever hesitant to label any of my blog posts “the best [insert thing here].” I know full well that what I do here is all based on my opinion, so rather than sayin these are the best books for toddlers, I’ll just say they’re some fun books for toddlers. I tried to mix some classic and contemporary titles that would build a great base for a home library or a starting point for a visit to the public library!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

Fun Books to Share with Toddlers

Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Once there was a river flowing through a forest. The river didn’t know it was capable of adventures until a big bear came along. But adventures aren’t any fun by yourself, and so enters Froggy, Turtles, Beaver, Racoons, and Duck.

These very different animals take off downstream, but they didn’t know they needed one another until thankfully, the river came along.

This hilarious picture book and heartfelt message celebrates the joy and fun that’s in store when you embark together on a ride of a lifetime.

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

In a cave in the woods,
in his deep, dark lair,
through the long, cold winter
sleeps a great brown bear.

One by one, a whole host of different animals and birds find their way out of the cold and into Bear’s cave to warm up. But even after the tea has been brewed and the corn has been popped, Bear just snores on!

See what happens when he finally wakes up and finds his cave full of uninvited guests—all of them having a party without him!

The Book with No Pictures by B. J. Novak

You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . . here’s how books work. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say . . .

BLORK. Or BLUURF.

Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast, or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

When a bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place-a pigeon! But you’ve never met one like this before. As he pleads, wheedles, and begs his way through the book, children will love being able to answer back and decide his fate.

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You’re in red-hot trouble.

The Feelings Book by Todd Parr

Sometimes I feel silly.
Sometimes I feel like eating pizza for breakfast.
Sometimes I feel brave.
Sometimes I feel like trying something new…

Todd illustrates a wide range of moods to introduce readers to the powerful, ever-changing, and sometimes nonsensical emotions that we all feel. With Todd’s trademark bold, bright colors and silly scenes, The Feelings Book helps young readers understand and discuss their feelings—both the fun and not-so-fun—in a kid-friendly and accessible way.

Freight Train by Donald Crews

Donald Crews used childhood memories of trains seen during his travels to his grandparents’ farm in the American South as the inspiration for this timeless favorite.

Red caboose at the back, orange tank car, green cattle car, purple box car, black tender and a black steam engine . . . freight train.

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld

As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight.

One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they’ll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play!

Even the roughest, toughest readers will want to turn off their engines, rest their wheels, and drift to sleep with this sweet and soothing story. Vibrant illustrations and gentle rhyming text make this construction book for kids a surefire bedtime favorite.

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama’s tale of nighttime drama has charmed readers for over a decade and makes an ideal story for bedtime reading. With this board book edition, Anna Dewdney’s infectious rhyming text and expressive artwork are availabe to the youngest readers. Children will relate to Baby Llama’s need for comfort, as much as parents will appreciate Mama Llama’s reassuring message.

Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh

One day three white mice discover three jars of paint–red, blue, and yellow. But what happens when they splash in the colors, mixing the red and blue? Or dance in the blue and yellow? This playful introduction to colors will appeal to any budding artist or curious preschooler.

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean

Pete the Cat goes walking down the street wearing his brand-new white shoes. Along the way, his shoes change from white to red to blue to brown to WET as he steps in piles of strawberries, blueberries, and other big messes!

But no matter what color his shoes are, Pete keeps movin’ and groovin’ and singing his song…because it’s all good. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes asks the reader questions about the colors of different foods and objects—kids love to interact with the story.

Press Here by Hervé Tullet

Press the yellow dot on the cover of this interactive children’s book, follow the instructions within, and embark upon a magical journey. Each page of this surprising touch book instructs the reader to push the button, shake it up, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next. Children and adults alike will giggle with delight as the dots multiply, change direction, and grow in size. Especially remarkable because the adventure occurs on the flat surface of the simple, printed page, this unique interactive picture book about the power of imagination and interactivity will provide read-aloud fun for all ages.

Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw, illustrated by Margot Apple

Here they come, a flock of rollicking sheep in their sturdy red jeep. Will their outing be a success?

Jeep goes splash! Jeep goes thud! Jeep goes deep in gooey mud!

Here is a lively, funny tale, perfect for reading aloud. The youngest lap sitters will quickly learn to chant along with the reader as the brisk story unfolds, and they’ll delight in the colorful portrayal of the hapless sheep.

We All Play by Julie Flett

Animals and kids love to play! This wonderful book celebrates playtime and the connection between children and the natural world. Beautiful illustrations show:

• birds who chase and chirp!
• bears who wiggle and wobble!
• whales who swim and squirt!
• owls who peek and peep!
• and a diverse group of kids who love to do the same, shouting:

We play too! / kimêtawânaw mîna

Where Is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek

There are red sheep and blue sheep, wind sheep and wave sheep, scared sheep and brave sheep, but where is the green sheep?