Tammy's Ten: Best Books for Toddlers

Toddlers love learning, but have the attention spans of flies. It takes a special book to hold their interest for even a short amount of time. Whether you are shopping for a baby shower, birthday party or extra amusement for your own little toddler, see Tammy's Ten list for some great ideas.

1. Silly Sally by Audrey Wood- This book is an excellent choice for any toddler. It comes as a board book, has wonderful illustrations, a humorous plot and catchy rhymes.

"Silly Sally went to town, walking backwards upside down.
On the way she met a pig, a silly pig, they danced a jig."

2. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback- Toddlers love this funny book with repetitive words and hilarious drawings. The story is also a nursery song.

"There was an old lady who swallowed a fly
I don't know why she swallowed a fly
Perhaps she'll die!"

3. Alligator Pie by Dennis Lee- Alligator Pie is a silly poem your toddlers will love. It's a short book with cute pictures and funny rhymes.

"Alligator Pie, alligator pie,
If I don't get some I think I'm gonna die
Give away the green grass, give away the sky
But don't give away my alligator pie."

4. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson- The Gruffalo is a story about a clever mouse and his adventure to survive in the forest. This book has fantastic illustrations by Axel Scheffler and repetitive versus that are easily remembered.

"A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood.
A fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good.
Where are you going to, little brown mouse?
Come and have lunch in my underground house.
It's terribly kind of you, Fox, but no-
I'm going to have lunch with a gruffalo."

5. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch- This story depicts the love and relationship between a boy and his mother from infancy to adulthood. Watch out parents, you may need your tissues!

"A mother held her new baby and
very slowly rocked him back and forth,
back and forth, back and forth.
And while she held him, she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be"

6. Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Dr. Seuss- This is a great book for teaching your toddler letters using imaginary creatures and words. Creative rhyming and amusing pictures bring the alphabet to life!

"Big A, little A, what begins with A?
Aunt Annie's alligator!
A, A, A."

7. I Love You All The Time by Jessica Elin Hirschman & Jennifer Elin Cole- This story reminds children that their family and friends still love them even when they are angry, busy or far away. It's a great book for parents who have busy schedules or for helping children with separation anxiety.

"I love you in the morning,
and all throughout the day.
I love you every moment,
And in many different ways.
I love you all the time."

8. The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton- This story can be purchased as a board book and is great for those bedtime routines. It's a short rhyming story about the bedtime rituals of funny animals.

"The sun has set not long ago.
Now everybody goes below
to take a bath in one big tub
with soap all over
SCRUB SCRUB SCRUB!

9. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown- This classic story depicts a child's room as night falls. Your children will love saying goodnight to all their favorite belongings!

"In the great green room
There was a telephone
And a red balloon
And a picture of
The cow jumping over the moon."

10. Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb by Al Perkins- This story can be purchased as a small board book and is filled with silly monkey pictures. Simple rhyming and nonsense lyrics make it a great choice for any toddler.

"Hand, hand, fingers, thumb,
One thumb, one thumb,
Drumming on a drum.
Dum ditty , dum ditty,
Dum, dum, dum!"

With so many children's books to choose from, the task can seem overwhelming. It's easy to choose a book with your child's favorite TV character, typical fairy tales or one that has buttons, flaps, stickers or photos. Tammy's Ten will help you select quality old-fashioned books your family will love and will stand the test of time. Happy reading!