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Original poster

Books for a 20 month old toddler

63 replies

TFImBackIn · 27/02/2026 12:32

There's a look of distinct boredom on my gd's face whenever she has to find Spot now! She's got all those books and knows We're Going on a Bear Hunt inside out. Can anyone tell me what their toddler enjoys reading? I think we all need a change! She's got plenty of books for older children but I'm struggling to find anything she can enjoy. Any recommendations? She's 2 in June.

OP posts:
Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 27/02/2026 12:34

Touch books. Like that’s not my turtle. Gruffalo and other Julia Donaldson books. Dr Seuss ones.

Lighterandbrighter · 27/02/2026 12:34

Have you got any of the Duck in the Truck, Catch the Ball Duck type books? My two year old (and older boy) both love these. Cops and Robbers is also a favourite.

shellyleppard · 27/02/2026 12:34

@TFImBackIn does your local library have a toddler reading session?? Or a child section in the library?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

1 year olds 2 year olds Behaviour & development Children's books
shellyleppard · 27/02/2026 12:34

@TFImBackIn my sons used to love the Thomas the tank engine books and the gruffalo/gruffalo child

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 27/02/2026 12:35

Hungry caterpillar. Babar. Quentin jones (sp?) clown book. Pop up books.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 27/02/2026 12:36

shellyleppard · 27/02/2026 12:34

@TFImBackIn my sons used to love the Thomas the tank engine books and the gruffalo/gruffalo child

DNephew 2 was bought a mole like in gruffalo for one of his Christmas presents he loves it!

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 27/02/2026 12:36

What’s her favourite animal? Mog.

Original poster
TFImBackIn · 27/02/2026 12:38

shellyleppard · 27/02/2026 12:34

@TFImBackIn does your local library have a toddler reading session?? Or a child section in the library?

They have a child section but I'm yet to find a book that fits - she's got a lot really, not just the Spot ones, but the library seems best for the Spot ones or proper stories.

OP posts:
shellyleppard · 27/02/2026 12:38

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain used to love reading all the mog books....we still have them!! My sons are now 20 and 17 but still remember the mog books 📚 ❤️

Original poster
TFImBackIn · 27/02/2026 12:38

shellyleppard · 27/02/2026 12:34

@TFImBackIn my sons used to love the Thomas the tank engine books and the gruffalo/gruffalo child

She's got a Gruffalo book but I thought she'd be too young for it. I'll try her with that, thanks.

OP posts:
shellyleppard · 27/02/2026 12:38

Peepo is another good one

Original poster
TFImBackIn · 27/02/2026 12:40

shellyleppard · 27/02/2026 12:38

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain used to love reading all the mog books....we still have them!! My sons are now 20 and 17 but still remember the mog books 📚 ❤️

Oh I'd forgotten about the Mog books! Thanks - have ordered the set.

OP posts:
Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 27/02/2026 12:42

Slinky Malinki - another cat book! The Dogger one too.

HeadyLamarr · 27/02/2026 12:42

Very Hungry Caterpillar
That's Not My series
Dear Zoo
Wibbly Pig books
Goodnight Moon (spot the tiny mouse)
Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See
Sandra Boynton books
Each Peach Pear Plum

Pernicketywishes · 27/02/2026 12:43

DGC Turned 2 around Christmas and has been working through the Julia Donaldson books. She absolutely loves the Gruffalo and Highway Rat 😆 Another one she loved that o got her was The little mouse, the red ripe strawberry, and the big hungry bear. Not many words but lots of fun!

The Acorn Wood books are good for this age too. Also do Usborne do good toddler books still? I can remember my kids having some lovely ones.

Oh just remembered these DGC loved:

10 little pirates
20 little princesses

more in that series!

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 27/02/2026 12:44

HeadyLamarr · 27/02/2026 12:42

Very Hungry Caterpillar
That's Not My series
Dear Zoo
Wibbly Pig books
Goodnight Moon (spot the tiny mouse)
Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See
Sandra Boynton books
Each Peach Pear Plum

I’m a volunteer in a museum that has an aquarium and I’m often there. I love the That’s not my Turtle book they have there and I’m 54!

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 27/02/2026 12:45

Pernicketywishes · 27/02/2026 12:43

DGC Turned 2 around Christmas and has been working through the Julia Donaldson books. She absolutely loves the Gruffalo and Highway Rat 😆 Another one she loved that o got her was The little mouse, the red ripe strawberry, and the big hungry bear. Not many words but lots of fun!

The Acorn Wood books are good for this age too. Also do Usborne do good toddler books still? I can remember my kids having some lovely ones.

Oh just remembered these DGC loved:

10 little pirates
20 little princesses

more in that series!

The Julia Donaldson books and films are great. We also like the one about the busker with the cat.

Original poster
TFImBackIn · 27/02/2026 12:45

shellyleppard · 27/02/2026 12:38

Peepo is another good one

Thank you - I'd forgotten about that, too! I take her a new book each week so that'll be next week's buy.

OP posts:
user1492757084 · 27/02/2026 12:47

Peepo by Allan Ahlberg.

Take your baby to the library. My grandchild has his own library card and borrows books at age two.

Original poster
TFImBackIn · 27/02/2026 12:47

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 27/02/2026 12:42

Slinky Malinki - another cat book! The Dogger one too.

Oh I can't wait until she's old enough for Dogger! I've put these too in my basket for later, thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
TFImBackIn · 27/02/2026 12:50

user1492757084 · 27/02/2026 12:47

Peepo by Allan Ahlberg.

Take your baby to the library. My grandchild has his own library card and borrows books at age two.

It's my GD, not my own child. We go to the library every week but the books there just aren't right for her at this age. There's not a good selection, unfortunately.

OP posts:
Original poster
TFImBackIn · 27/02/2026 12:53

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. You've all reminded me of a lot of books I loved reading with my own children.

OP posts:
LabradorVibe · 27/02/2026 12:55

We are big fans of the Acorn Woods books here too, and the books by Jill Murphy. Whatever Next (baby bear goes to the moon) is a particular fav, but also like 5 Minutes Peace.

neleh87 · 27/02/2026 12:56

Mog has already been suggested.
Avocado Baby.
All the Ahlberg books. They are probably a tad old for a 20mo but my DS loved them anyway.
Elmer

TheFairyCaravan · 27/02/2026 13:08

DGS was 2 on Boxing Day, he’s a massive book lover.

The Acorn Wood Series is great. Most Julia Donaldson books come in board book form, as does the Tiger who Came to Tea. That was his favourite for months.

This one is a favourite too, and the threads of the webs are raised so they can trace it with their fingers.

He’s just got this bugs book which you shake and the bugs move.

If you have The Works near you they’re worth a visit because they often have good books in the 10 for £10 deal. And I’ve got some great books, really cheaply, from the middle aisle of Aldi.