What do toddlers like in picture books? What kinds of books will keep them most engaged?
Young toddlers are still developing their eyesight, so super-complicated images with lots of detail might be harder to decipher. They need more information spelled out in the text, and a simpler plot with fewer sentences - one or two per page - as their attention spans are short. VERY short.
Toddlers, in general*, love: books with repeated refrains, simple concepts (counting, colors, numbers), bright colorful pictures, animals, vehicles, books that can be sung, interactive books where they can participate in the telling and/or lift flaps, and books with predictable patterns.
So here are a few of my favorite titles for toddlers:
*[Yes, I'm generalizing. Every child is different, and some toddlers may like more complicated stories or have longer attention spans]
The LOLA series by Anna McQuinn and illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
Lola is a little girl who loves: going to the library, hearing stories, gardening, her friends, her family, and cats. In each outing, the author explains simply what is happening in a very toddler-friendly way. The soft but clear illustrations reflect a young child's experience. See also: the series about Lola's brother, Leo!
Fun fact: in England, where the author an illustrator live, Lola is called Lulu and Leo is Zeki!
MAD, MAD BEAR and SAD, SAD BEAR and GLAD, GLAD BEAR by Kimberley Gee
These simple stories about emotions reflect how sometimes, you just feel mad. Or sad. And after a while, you might feel differently.
TOOT TOOT BEEP BEEP and CHUGGA CHUGGA CHOO CHOO and TAP TAP BANG BANG by Emma Garcia
Bright collage illustrations and fun sounds make these great books to share over and over!
BARK, GEORGE! by Jules Feiffer
Anyone who does storytime regularly knows this classic. It's a hilarious tale of a puppy who doesn't know that dogs are supposed to bark - not say "quack" or "moo!" WHY is puppy confused? The reason will surprise you - and George's mother, too!
GRANDMA'S TINY HOUSE by JaNay Brown-Wood and Priscilla Burris
Everyone's coming to Grandma's house for dinner! But will they all fit? This is a great book for counting all the things.
DEAR ZOO by Rod Campbell
You really can't go wrong with a lift-the-flap book, and this one is a classic. The narrator writes to the zoo for a pet, and the zoo sends a variety of animals. Each one is too "something" until, finally, they get it just right. A great introduction to adjectives, too!
BEAR SEES COLORS and BIG BEAR SMALL MOUSE by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
These are a great introduction to these concepts using favorite characters from the series that starts with BEAR SNORES ON.
BIG MOONCAKE FOR LITTLE STAR and BIG BED FOR LITTLE SNOW by Grace Lin
Little Star bakes a mooncake with her mama - but isn't allowed to eat it yet. Mama won't notice if Little Start takes just ONE little bite, will she? Grace Lin has created new fables with these stories - big mooncake about the phases of the moon and big bed about first snow.
TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE CAR by Kate Dopirak and Mary Peterson
Cars? Check. A story that can be sung to the tune of "Twinkle, twinkle, little star?" Check. What's not to love?
B IS FOR BABY by Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank
B is for Baby. And bananas, brother, and bicycle. When Baby's brother takes bananas on his bicycle to Baba (grandfather), he has a surprise stowaway in the basket - baby! Practice hearing the letter sound that starts most of the words in the story while reading this warm, friendly tale set in the author's native West Africa.
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