A Friend Asked for Toddler Book Recs…
and I pulled together a list of interactive favorites too good not to share
Midweek Musings is a cozy mix of book recs, parenting wins (and fails), and fun activities for the whole family. Intentional updates I’d bring up at a playdate.
“Finallly got a library card and we want to get some fun books for Jack!! he'll be 3 in december and is currently obsessed with sports, diggy trucks, bugs, airplanes, dogs and dinos (so, all things boy). Also would love some good books that teach him about Jesus / the Bible too!”
My friend Julie posted this question last week and my heart just lit up. Nothing makes me happier than pulling together a book list. Especially for a toddler who’s just falling in love with stories. There’s something magical about this age: the way their little hands can’t resist lifting a flap or pushing a button, the way they gasp when a hidden animal appears, the way a story read on repeat somehow gets better every time. Toddlers don’t just listen to books, they live inside them.
So when Julie asked, I couldn’t help but gather up some favorites. The kinds of books that make bedtime feel like playtime, and library trips feel like treasure hunts.
Here’s what I sent her!
Lift-the-Flap Favorites
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell — animals hiding behind sturdy flaps never get old.
Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill — the OG peekaboo book.
Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden — cut-out pages and bold colors keep little eyes glued.
Eric Carle Around the Farm — lift the flaps and hear real animal sounds.
Button-Pushing & Noisy Fun
Dinosaur Roar! Sound Book by Henrietta Stickland — each button brings dinos to life.
Noisy Trucks (Tiger Tales) — dump trucks, diggers, and all the honks.
Listen to the Birds (Marion Billet) — sweet sound buttons that feel calm, not chaotic.
Cars and Trucks Sound Book by Richard Scarry — classic illustrations + sound buttons.
Dogs & Animal Friends
Never Touch a Dinosaur by Rosie Greening — silly rhymes + bumpy textures.
Dr. Seuss’s Dogs — silly rhymes + playful pups.
That’s Not My Puppy (Usborne series) — repetitive text toddlers memorize instantly.
Lift-the-Flap Bugs and Butterflies (Usborne) — sturdy flaps with fun bug facts hidden underneath.
Faith-Based Interactive Picks
Lift-the-Flap Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones — engaging Bible stories with flaps to explore.
Noah’s Ark: A Hide-and-Seek Story — find the animals two-by-two.
God Loves You! by Kathleen Long Bostrom — peekaboo flaps with sweet reminders.
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