Best books for 2-year-olds

Follow the heart-warming tale of Sarah, Percy and Bill, three owl babies who wake up one night to find their mother is gone. As the darkness grows, the owls become more and more worried, until finally their mother returns safe and sound. The happy reunion of the owl family makes this the perfect storyline if your little one struggles with separation anxiety.

This empowering book of female figures will teach your little one the important lesson that they can be anything, regardless of gender. Let your 2-year-old be drawn in by the inviting and vibrant colours, and inspired by stories of historical heroines, ranging from inventors and athletes to artists and activists.

If your little one is an animal lover, they’ll be over the moon with the comical illustrations and silly descriptions in Oi Frog!. Thanks to its clever play on words and lively rhyming pattern, this is a book that begs to be read aloud, making it just as fun for the reader as it is for the child listening. This ribbeting tale promises to get your little one giggling!

One BabyCentre parent said: "The Oi Frog! range is good for vocabulary".

A firm family favourite, this beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Lily and her most-loved toy Blue Kangaroo, which she has a habit of losing. Lily and her cuddly friend always find a way back to each other, until one day Blue Kangaroo is nowhere to be found. The perfect addition to storytime, this tale teaches young children the importance of friendship and looking after their belongings.

If your little one is struggling to say goodbye to nappies, this hilarious storyline of a princess learning to potty train is sure to tickle your 2-year-old into giving it a go. Written to both entertain toddlers and help out parents, once your child hears that the Little Princess is ready to stop wearing nappies, they’ll be eager to follow in her royal footsteps.

Designed for curious minds, this interactive little book is full to the brim with charming illustrations, details and holes for your 2-year-old to peep through. The gentle rhyming text running throughout the story will also calm listening ears, making it a great bedtime story.

One BabyCentre parent said: "I think something that has rhythm or rhymes is best for a baby to recognise and enjoy. 'Peepo' is nice with the repetitive and distinct repetition of 'peepo'. This also comes in a board book version."

From the author of the classic book Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy, Lynley Dodd brings another sparkling character to life, this time in the form of a very naughty cat! Told in fast-paced rhyme and energetic images, your little one will delight in following the journey of this roaming rascal as he wreaks havoc in his neighbourhood.

One BabyCentre parent said: “We’ve been stuck on this same book for a long time!”.

With your 2-year-old’s vocabulary growing by the day, now is an ideal time to introduce them to this bright and bold alphabet book. The simple text and fun fonts will make your young reader eager to learn their ABCs, while the colourful illustrations of animals are sure to keep them entertained. Equipped with large lift-up flaps and hard pages, this is a great book for curious little hands to explore.

his beautifully bright picture book from the author of the classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar will take your toddler on a multi-sensory journey. A simple story about a spider spinning her web, it's packed with features that can help boost your child’s development.

Not only will their language skills improve by hearing the gentle rhythmic text, but they’ll able to see and feel the energetic collages of familiar animals, encouraging their imagination and learning.

One BabyCentre parent said: "Eric Carle is one of my favourites."

If your little one is into their construction vehicles, what better way to encourage their budding numeracy skills than by counting tractors, diggers and trucks? Featuring 15 puzzle pages and heaps of counting, searching and finding challenges, this great little book is sure to broaden young children’s minds.

If your little one is a fussy eater, they may be fascinated by the monstrous meals Max feasts on. From bug burgers to cockroach curry, if it tastes terrible, this hairy hero will devour it. But nothing quite hits the spot like Max’s most favourite food, spider sandwiches! Young children are sure to ask for this unique tale for many storytimes to come.

One BabyCentre parent said: “My toddler was obsessed with it for years”

The best audiobooks for 2-year-olds in the UK 2024

Although nothing is more comforting to your toddler than the sound of your voice, sometimes it’s not always possible to read aloud to them. Why not give one of these top-rated audiobooks a try?

Any of these audiobooks is free when you sign up for a 30-day Audible trial. After 30 days, it costs £7.99 a month, which gives you access to thousands of audiobooks for your 2-year-old.

• Giraffes Can’t Dance by Guy Parker-Rees
• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
• Zog by Julia Donaldson
• Ten Little Dinosaurs by Mike Brownlow
• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
• There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Child’s Play

Why we love these audiobooks for 2-year-olds

We’re off to the jungle for this light-hearted audio rendition of the best-selling classic book. Read by Hugh Laurie, this lively tale of a giraffe learning to dance, accompanied by a range of music, will have your 2-year-old dancing the day away.

One BabyCentre parent said: “Giraffes Can’t Dance has been a firm favourite here for a long time”.

A perfect read for winter time, this story conveys the hope, magic and excitement that fresh snow brings to children. Following a little boy’s adventures in a city blanketed by snow, young children will love snuggling up with this warming audio tale.

Fly off on an adventure with this fantastical tale of Zog the clumsy dragon. Zog normally has a little helper to keep him out of trouble, but will anyone support him on his biggest mission yet? With one parent revealing that their little one “loves anything with Julia Donaldson”, this audiobook features a listening game and music to captivate your 2-year-old.

One BabyCentre parent said: “Orton is OBSESSED with Zog“

This action-packed audiobook will take your toddler on a trip to prehistoric times, as they meet stomping, munching, grumpy dinosaurs. Even if your 2-year-old doesn’t fully understand the concept of dinosaurs yet, they’ll love the fast-paced rhyme and rhythm of this exciting story. Part of the popular ‘Ten Little’ books series.

One BabyCentre parent said: “In our family, this is our fave”.

Don’t be fooled by its spooky title – this mystical audiobook will have your 2-year-old in fits of giggles as they hear about the adventures faced by a witch and her cat. Flying on her broomstick over forests and picking up furry friends along the way, this is the perfect story to spark your little one’s imagination.

One BabyCentre parent said: "my lo was bought a big collection of Julia Donaldson books and he's mad over them, especially Room on the Broom, which I now know off by heart."

A much-loved classic, it’s no surprise that this rhyming tale has stayed in parents’ top picks years after its publication. Your little one will be captivated by the musical sound of the simple text and it's sure to get the whole family singing along. Your child will also love the repetition, as they hear about the many animals swallowed by the old lady, over and over again.

One BabyCentre parent said: "I loved this nursery rhyme as a child and my eldest loved it too. The absurdity of all the animals she swallows to catch the previous is hilarious to kids."

More great books and toys

• The best toys for 2-year-olds

• Brilliant plastic-free gifts for babies and toddlers

• Books for children over 12 months