The best books for toddlers

One of the greatest books for toddlers if you're about to start potty training, the story introduces Millie and Mo, two toddlers who are ready to ditch their nappies and learn how to use the potty. Each page contains helpful potty-training tips for parents, and is equally as enjoyable and entertaining for toddlers to flick through.

A classic story in a lift the flap book, your toddler will love lifting the flaps as they turn the pages to follow Buster around Grandma's farm. This is one of the most interactive books for toddlers and is especially engaging because of the fun pictures and the playful design. A classic farmyard animal scene that will entertain your toddler - what's not to love?!

If you're expecting a baby, this book is a lovely way to get your toddler used to being a big brother or sister and help them feel excited during the wait to meet their new sibling. The simple conversational text and illustrations are designed to encourage dialogue between you and your little one, making this one of the best books for toddlers who are about to get a new sibling.

Wetting the pages of this bath book will bring the playful scenes to life in full colour, helping to make bath time an exciting experience for your toddler as they discover what cute baby animals do at bath time. This is one of the best books for toddlers who love to be constantly on the go - it's great for parents because they can ensure bath time is a raging success, and the toddler can have a fun time with their new book.

This funny rhyming story about dealing with change and overcoming worries, following Kevin the Koala who discovers the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone. This is one of the best books for toddlers who are about to start preschool - it's a great way to start the idea of trying something new. A new routine can often feel scary for our little ones, so introducing them gently to the idea is more productive than throwing them into something totally out of their comfort zone.

A laugh-out-loud rhyming picture book that will have your youngster giggling, this supersonic space adventure follows Danny and Dinosaur and their adventure in space. Written by two of the four McFly band members, Tom who is a Dad and Dougie who is a self-declared cool uncle to all the other band members' kids, the book is funny and up-lifting. We'd say this book is perfect for boys who are just getting into their toilet humour phase - and girls too! After all, toilet jokes are universally funny.

An extremely relevant book for current times, in this Peppa tale, Peppa and her friends get a visit from Dr Brown Bear and Nurse Fox who come to show the children how to keep fit, eat healthily and remember to wash their hands. In classic Peppa Pig style, this is one of the brilliant educational books for toddlers on the market. The two E's we love to see - educational and entertaining, the perfect combination for a toddler's book.

A book that has been loved by families for over 30 years, this is the story of Mrs Large the elephant – who just needs five minutes of peace and quiet away from her children! Sound familiar?! it's safe to say that this is one of the books for toddlers that parents will enjoy just as much as their children, if not more than their children. Let's be honest, when humour is relatable - how can you not laugh along with your toddler?

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler books are a must for any toddler's bookshelf. In this story, one small snail longs to see the world and hitches a lift on the tail of an enormous whale. Together the pair go on an amazing journey. This is a classic tale of friendship and fun - two of the perfect components in books for toddlers.

Your tot may not be reciting all of the planets just yet but this board book is a great place to start, teaching toddlers all about the sun, moon, stars, and planets, alongside colours, shapes, sizes, and super-simple facts. Bright and bold, this book will definitely catch the attention of your toddler - making it one of the best educational books for toddlers on the market.

A book that needs no introduction, if you haven't already got your toddler The Very Hungry Caterpillar, what are you playing at?! Snuggle up and read as one very hungry caterpillar eats his way through the week. Let's be real, this tale is one of the most well-known and every toddler should be read this story at the very least ten times. For sure, this is one of the best classic books for toddlers out there.

Team M&B are huge fans of the Little People, Big Dreams books and we know you will be too. There are lots of inspiring people to choose from in the series - but one of our top picks is about the incredible civil rights activist Rosa Park. As a parent, if you are a history nerd then this will be entertaining for you as well as your toddler - a really great way to include education and entertainment in a book. This has to be another pick for one of the best educational books for toddlers.

Part of a series of storybooks co-written by Dr Sharie Coombes, Child and Family Psychotherapist, A Dragon Called Worry contains plenty of advice and reassurance for little ones and their parents managing childhood worries. As much as this is an adorable anecdotal tale, the message that the book gives to toddler and parents is vital. This has to be one of the best books for toddlers for growth and development. And, it will definitely help us parents learn a thing or two!

Like it or not, most kids find poo hilarious which is why they will love this book where they can lift the flaps to discover how much poo an elephant does, and what you can do with it. The classic Usborne illustrations are something that your toddler will engage with, and that they will enjoy flicking through.

Another classic which has truly stood the test of time, these beautiful illustrations and the story of Little and Big Nutbrown Hares’ efforts to express their love for each other will have you cuddling your toddler close. A beautiful book - this has to be up there with one of our all-time favourite books for toddlers. Careful - this one may bring a tear to your eye.

This classic story is full of rhyme and repetition with beautiful, bright and colourful pictures and clear large print text, making it easy for your tot to enjoy. The lift-the-flaps on each page are ideal for little hands to explore - and this is another engaging and exciting read for your toddler to quite literally get to grips with.

Packed with stunning illustrations, this tender story is inspired by true events in Syria and war gardens around the world and throughout history. Gently touching on issues of conflict and migration, this is a story of hope that deserves to be bought immediately.