10 books to reconnect with your toddler

Every family will have its tricky days now and again, when peace and harmony is lost in a storm of grumpiness and tears – and that might just be the adults! 

Coming unstuck from our little ones is completely normal, of course, but the key is to find techniques to reconnect so you can move forward together positively. 

But, on top of that, it can be an opportunity to read stories that reflect your own emotional situation, and which offer a gentle roadmap to resolving any differences more successfully next time.

For this collection, I’ve chosen some books which simply offer a fun and joyful experience to share; others take you on a journey of conflict or disconnection, while the remainder give you the opportunity to express your love for each other – because very often that’s all we need to make everything all right. Happy reading! 

This is the charmingly holey rhyming story of a little woodpecker sent off by his dad to practise pecking. With no overt moralising, it nonetheless speaks of the boundless energy of toddlers, and of the time and space we all need to learn to be ourselves. 

Whether they have flaps to lift, buttons to press, or sliders to move, interactive books of all sorts are fantastic for getting a child to focus, engage and be present, which is sometimes just what you need to break a negative moment. This book actually has no physical interactivity – it’s all done through words – but it’s engaging and delightful, even so. 

Children can often feel deeply frustrated by their lack of power and choice, so this is a chance for you and your little one to share an experience and for them to call the shots, just for once. I can’t count the number of times I’ve read this ​‘pick-your-own-story’ book – it’s totally genius! 

This is the classic story of a dog who runs away from home to avoid having a bath – but then becomes so dirty that his family no longer recognise him. A charming story about our common need for love and security – with a cheeky twist at the end. 

A much-loved tale of a patchwork elephant who wishes he wasn’t different from the other elephants, this is a story about learning to value ourselves, and the power of the individual. 

Sometimes things go wrong and it’s no one’s fault, it’s just bad luck. When Pip accidently drops Posy’s beautiful birthday cake, the friends show that teamwork is how to make the best of the life’s challenging situations, however sticky they are! Ideal for 18 months and up. 

A funny story about taking ownership – and control – of our own feelings, this is the tale of Barbara, who realises that she doesn’t have to let the Wobbler ruin her day. Perfect for older toddlers. 

Perhaps the best picture book ever written, this is the exquisitely illustrated tale of Max, who yearns to be a king of the wild things, but in the end returns home, to ​‘where someone loved him best of all’. For the wild thing in us all. 

The origin of the now ubiquitous phrase ​‘I love you right up to the moon and back’, this is the classic story of Nut-Brown Hare and his mum, who gently compete to express their love for each other. The story to read when someone needs to know that they’re adored unconditionally.

With its repetitive rhyming text and slightly unearthly atmosphere, I’m convinced that this book has hypnotic powers which work to calm both adults and children alike! A simple, deeply reassuring story about home and love, it has lulled millions of children to sleep for the last 70 years – the ultimate bedtime story.