From two-years-old, your child's language is developing quickly and they probably know around 200 or more words. Encouraging reading is a great way to get your little one to expand their knowledge, enabling them to learn new words and start making connections between books and real life. Books that you can link to challenges your toddler might be facing in real life, such as potty training or brushing their teeth, are a good way to get your toddler interacting with books and seeing the positives to each story.
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Top tips for encouraging your two-year-old to read
1) Let them choose the book
By letting your little one choose their own book, they're more likely to sit and join in reading it. Repetition and rhyming words are easy for children to remember too, so even if they pick the same book each story time, they'll eventually start helping to re-read the book back to you and correct you if you read the story wrong, (especially if you skip a page to speed up story time - we've all done it!)
2) Set an example
Children learn through watching what you do and trying to copy you, which is why toy kitchens and cleaning toys are perfect gifts for children, as it teaches them social skills and how to use their imagination. With this in mind, it's a good idea to start reading while your toddler is playing. If they see you reading a book at least once a day, they'll see you doing it and be happier to join in on storytime.
3) Choose funny books
Choosing books with funny rhymes and silly storylines is a guaranteed way to keep little ones engaged with reading and eager to turn the pages! Who doesn't love a book that gives a good giggle?
Take a look at our pick of books that are perfect to read to your two-year-old:
The best books to buy for two-year-olds
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Where The Wild Things Are
Best-loved monster book
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This adorable story of Max and his monsters has entertained children for years. After dressing up in his wolf costume, Max wreaks so much havoc (sound familiar?) he is sent to bed before dinner. That night, his bedroom transforms into a forest, and he is taken to where the wild things are. The perfect night-time story for all those loveable little monsters out there.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Best classic book
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Another classic that has stood the test of time, this beautiful story of Sophie and her very hungry tea-time guest is a must if you’ve got an animal-lover in your brood. Why not plan a tea-party for your own hungry tigers at the weekend?
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Best repetition book
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We're going on a bear hunt, will your toddler join? This fun, repetative book is a great way to encourage children to repeat phrases!
Giraffes Can't Dance
Best confidence-building book
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Giraffes can't dance, can they? This funny book is a joyful read for children, with a simple moral of confidence and daring to be different.
Room on the Broom
Best witch book
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The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, but when a stormy wind blows away the witch's hat, bow and wand, who will retrieve them for her?
Pirate Pete's Potty
Best potty training book
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This book is great for little ones who might be starting to potty train! It's easy to following along, and when Pirate Pete uses his potty correctly, tots can press the 'cheer' button for a noisy reward.
There's even a Princess Polly's Potty if your little one prefers this character.
How to Brush Your Teeth with Snappy Croc
Best tooth-brushing book
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This board book about brushing teeth is a lovely way to encourage tots to brush their teeth, with the help of the lovely crocodile!
Help! My Dinosaurs are Lost in the City!
Best dinosaur book
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Can your little one find the missing dinosaurs? This lovely book tests childrens puzzle-solving skills in a Where's Wally kind of way!
You Can't Take an Elephant on the Bus
Best book to make your little one laugh
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You can't take an elephant on a bus, or ask a whale to ride a bike! This book will definitely have your little one in fits of giggles!
Peppa Pig: At the Zoo
Best Peppa Pig book
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What toddler doesn't love Peppa Pig? Join Peppa on her class trip to the zoo! What animals will she see?
Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?
Best sounds book
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This book encourages children to repeat the sounds they hear in the book, with a moo moo! Hoo hoo! And a cocker-doodle-do, what else can Mr. Brown do?
Roald Dahl's Colours
Best colours book
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This lift-the-flap book will help your tots discover all the colours of the rainbow.
Roald Dahl’s 123
Best counting book
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2 little chiddlers waiting for their friend. Can you spot 1 enormous crocodile hiding in the grass? This book is a great way to teach children all about numbers and counting, with a fun little storyline.
Goodnight, Pooh
Best Winnie the Pooh book
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Join Winnie the Pooh as he gets ready for bed, in this delightful story with peep-through holes to play peepo!
Maisy's Bus
Recommended
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Maisy’s adventures have been translated into 28 languages and sold over 25 million copies. You can now find more than 150 stories full of letters, numbers, and shapes for your baby to learn, all featuring the wonderfully illustrated mouse.
The Baby's Catalogue
Best routine building book
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The Baby's Catalogue is a lovely picture book of objects and scenes from a baby's world. The content of this book has made it a classic addition to your nursery library.
Peepo!
Best classic peek-a-boo book
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Peepo! Is set in the early forties, showing an unpretentious vision of a baby's contented life based on Allan Ahlberg's own working-class childhood.