I update a round-up of our favorite children’s books every few months, and now that Arlo is two, I wanted to share what he’s loving right now. As with many toddlers, several of these titles focus on emotions and behavior — which is helpful because that’s where we spend a lot of parenting energy at the moment — but there are also playful, silly, and beautifully illustrated choices in the mix. Below are the books that get requested most often in our house.
Graphic by Meagan Knight for Studio DIY
1. Allie All Along by Sarah Lynne Reul: Recommended by a friend, this book does a lovely job of naming big emotions and showing simple, visual ways to cope with them. It’s gentle and easy for toddlers to follow.
2. Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney: We used this around the time Arlo tried a drop-in daycare and was having a hard time. The story helped him understand separation and we read it over and over until he felt calmer and more secure.
3. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins: A funny, clever story about a dinosaur who’s learning how to treat classmates with kindness and respect. It handles boundaries in a playful, memorable way.
4. Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel: This has been Arlo’s favorite for months. Simple, beautiful illustrations introduce a variety of animals and highlight connections through shapes, colors, and patterns. The back index helps identify each animal, and we love pointing them out together.
5. Where Is/Donde Esta El Chavo by Patty Rodriguez & Ariana Stein: From the Lil’ Libros bilingual series, this board book blends Latin American culture with early learning concepts. It’s a great bilingual option that introduces vocabulary in an engaging way.
6. Ha Visto A Mi Gato? / Where Is My Cat? by Eric Carle: A sweet bilingual story about a boy searching the world for his missing cat. The language is simple, making it approachable for families beginning to use Spanish at home.
7. Kindness Rules by Eunice Moyle & Sabrina Moyle: Full of bold, colorful illustrations and positive messages, this book encourages manners and empathy. Arlo asks for it by saying “More rules!” which always makes me smile.
8. We Are Family by Patricia Hegarty and Ryan Wheatcroft: This title celebrates different kinds of families by showing similar daily moments across many households. It’s a great way to talk about diversity and connection while comparing pictures to our own family.
9. Little Dinos Don’t Hit by Michael Doll and Adam Record: Part of a series that redirects unwanted behavior toward positive alternatives. We read this one often since hitting has been an issue, and the board-book format is perfect for toddlers.
10. What Makes A Rainbow? by Betty Ann Schwartz: A favorite from my own childhood and a frequent gift from my mom, this board book teaches colors through layered pages that reveal a new ribbon of color on each turn until a rainbow forms.
11. Love Makes A Family by Sophie Beer: A celebration of diverse family structures where love is the central theme. The vivid, graphic illustrations are great for playing simple observation games and sparking conversation.
12. Pizza! An Interactive Recipe Book by Lotta Nieminen: From the same series as a well-loved taco book, this interactive title walks kids through a simple recipe with tactile and imaginative elements. These make fun gifts and encourage hands-on play around food and cooking.
More Favorite Kids Books
- Our Favorite Board Books
- Favorite Books For One Year Olds
- Favorite Books For 18 Month Olds
- Our Favorite Books For Three Year Olds
- Our Favorite Books for 4 Year Olds