Best books for 2-year-olds

This fun book offers lots of interaction, from the trails (which are great for fine motor skills and getting used to tracing, a precursor to learning to write) to the information about the natural world. 

Five beautifully illustrated spreads show a series of friendly savannah animals hiding behind bright felt flaps. You’re in for a treat on the final page too.… There’s a mirror!

It’s bedtime, but the toddler in this delightful little board book is not tired and has lots to do before she’s ready to sleep. With plenty of familiar scenes which will resonate with children and their parents, this lovely tale is sure to become a firm favourite, especially at bedtime. 

Mr Fox has lost his socks! Where could they be? A ​‘getting dressed’ book, a hide-and-seek book and a lift-the-flap book, all rolled into one! The ultimate question, of course, is will Fox find his socks?

One day, an elephant offers a baby a ride through the town, and the set off on a great adventure.

The little girl in this delightful board book takes Snappy Croc through each teeth-cleaning step: from squeezing out the toothpaste to brushing round and round, and showing off her sparkling smile at the end.

This book is an absolute winner, which soon has toddlers joining in with the rhyming words – and admiring the fabulous dinosaur pictures. 

Young children will love singing along to the familiar nursery rhyme Old Macdonald while learning to count to five in this delightful, interactive board book.  

Help Suki zoom to the moon by pushing and pulling the sliders. Interactive and with charming illustrations, this would be perfect for sharing with toddlers. 

Little fingers will love to follow the very hungry caterpillar as he munches his way through the pages of this classic, colourful, interactive picture book.

An all-time favourite that introduces different colours through simple text, presented in a satisfyingly repetitive pattern.

Everyone knows that owls are nocturnal but one curious little owl decides to take a long nap at night so she can stay awake during the day.

This hilarious book – about an elephant who wants to play hide and seek – will delight children and adults with its offbeat humour and beautiful illustration.

This is a bright, lively book, full of cheerful rhyme about the many different kinds of birds in the world. It is drawn with very distinct pop-art colours that really zing and grab your attention from the get-go. 

Featuring a typical selection of toddler or pre-schooler activities, Wow! Look at Me! supports little ones in achieving new skills and cheerleads their efforts. 

A book of fun, short poems on all kinds of themes, with accompanying actions. A useful resource for adults to help little ones develop their fine motor skills while supporting their social and emotional development.