Books about developmental milestones from 2-4
Toddlers are bundles of energy and contradictory desires. They want to be independent yet can cling to a parental figure.
This selection of books celebrates all the things most toddlers learn to do from age 2 to 4 or thereabouts, from jumping, drawing and playing with other children, to potty training and going to nursery or school. And of course, they enjoy being read to at any age!
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Now Wash Your Hands!
Author: Matt Carr
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 2-5
Matt Carr’s sweet picture book is a useful one for little ones and would be perfect at school or at home as a fun reminder to wash our hands and keep nasty germs away.
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Miss Dotty’s Potty School
Author: Tracey Corderoy Illustrator: Ali Pye
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 7+This charming and reassuring picture book offers up gentle tips and guidance in a super child-friendly way for children starting out on their toilet training journey.
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Time to Eat
Author: Penny Tassoni Illustrator: Mel Four
Publisher: Featherstone
Interest age: 2-4
Toddlers with ponytails and toddlers with braids enjoy all sorts of delicious snacks and meals in Time to Eat. In addition to the story, there are helpful tips for parents and carers about how to introduce new food and encourage a healthy and balanced diet.
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Dog Loves Drawing
Author: Louise Yates
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 6+A great read for all those children who love books and drawing
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Don’t Make Me Cross
Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls Illustrator: Angie Rozelaar
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 2-5
Little Monster claims to be sweet, but is proving to be anything but! Children will love the naughty monster snatching presents and hogging sweets, and parents will delight in reminding them not to be like Little Monster if they don’t want to end up feeling silly!
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Meekoo and the Big Red Potty
Author: Camilla Reid Illustrator: Nicola Slater
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 1-3
A cute and thoughtfully produced book that is non-gender specific and will make the potty an approachable concept for even the most sensitive child. There are also interactive buttons!
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Zeki Gets a Checkup
Author: Anna McQuinn Illustrator: Ruth Hearson
Publisher: Alanna Max
Zeki is a big boy now – he loves hiding toys, playing ball, singing and dancing. Today, he’s going for a checkup at the doctors’ with Daddy and his toy Mister Seahorse. A lovely book to share with toddlers, which marks their developmental milestones.
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My New Shoes
Author: Leilani Sparrow Illustrator: Dan Taylor
Publisher: Boxer Books
Interest age: 2-6
Reading age: 5+Young bear’s feet are growing, so it is time for him to get some new shoes. Vibrant illustrations and rhyming text capture the excitement of this familiar experience, making this an ideal tale for toddlers who are embarking on their own visit to the shoe shop.
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Zeki Rise and Shine
Author: Anna McQuinn Illustrator: Ruth Hearson
Publisher: Alanna Max
Interest age: 2-3
Rise and shine, it’s time to wake up for little Zeki. Follow little Zeki as he gets ready with Mummy and Daddy for a morning of fun and adventure.
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Lulu and the Noisy Baby
Author: Camilla Reid Illustrator: Ailie Busby
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Interest age: 1+
Reading age: 4+Mummy and daddy have some great news for Lulu - she is going to be a big sister! This is an absolutely adorable book about adapting to change. Each page is bursting with detail and endless flaps to lift and investigate.
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Where's Lenny?
Author: Ken Wilson-Max
Publisher: Alanna Max
Interest age: 2-3
Lenny and Daddy have a great time playing hide and seek! This charming tale, which features a mixed-race family, is ideal to share with toddlers.
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Puddling!
Author: Emma Perry Illustrator: Claire Alexander
Publisher: Walker Books
This delightful celebration of splashing in puddles is a joyous book, full of community, friendship and the pleasure of being outdoors, whatever the weather. Parents and carers of little ones will know how fun “puddling” is and it’s nice to see this popular game reflected in a picture book.
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Let’s Go to Nursery!
Author: Caryl Hart and Lauren Tobia
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-5
Bee and Billy are going to nursery! What will the day hold? This sweet book about the potentially anxiety-making environment of nursery focuses on the friendship between little ones that play there together – and is full of wonderfully creative rhyming text.
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Hugless Douglas Goes to School
Author: David Melling
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 4-5
Hugless Douglas has a great first day of school when he shows everyone his favourite activity.
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See What I Can Do!
Author: Jon Roberts Illustrator: Hannah Rounding
Publisher: Graffeg Books
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+See What I Can Do! introduces a range of characters (based on real-life children) who each share an insight about disability and point out the challenges but also positive aspects of their lives. A beautiful book that celebrates individuality, empathy and understanding.
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Two Can
Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls Illustrator: Ben Javens
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Interest age: 2-5
Maybe playing together is better because two can have twice as much fun as one! This is an adorable book about letting others join in your games - and each page has hidden details that young readers will love to discover.
