If you’ve got a little one who’s starting to notice letters, sing the ABCs unprompted, or shout “That’s an S for Snake!” at the grocery store, guess what? You’ve got yourself a budding reader. And as you already know, reading with toddlers isn’t just about learning letters, it’s about connection, imagination, and those magical snuggle moments that make all the chaos worth it.

So let’s ditch the pressure and make reading feel like a joyful daily ritual. These best books for learning how to read are designed for early literacy but in the most fun, engaging, and wiggle-friendly way possible.

Why Reading Matters So Much (Even Before They Read Alone)

Even if your little one can’t read yet, just spending time with books helps them:

• Build vocabulary and sentence structure

• Understand story flow (beginning, middle, end)

• Develop listening, memory, and emotional skills

• Strengthen imagination and creativity

• Feel comforted and connected (that part we LOVE)
  

And when they’re ready to start decoding sounds and words? These books are here to guide them gently into the world of independent reading.

1. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

By Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle

This timeless classic is beloved in homes and classrooms for a reason. With its sing-song rhythm, repetitive phrasing, and vivid artwork, toddlers quickly learn to "read" along, long before they can decode actual words. Each page follows a predictable pattern, which boosts memory and early sight-word recognition.

Why It Works:

• Builds confidence through repetition

• Great for group reading or one-on-one snuggles

• Introduces animals, colors, and sequence

Mom Tip: Pause after “What do you see?” and let your toddler shout at the next animal, it’s empowering and adorable.

2. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

By Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault

Get ready for a full-on alphabet party! This high-energy, rhythmic book makes learning letters feel like a musical jam session. With its bold visuals and playful rhymes, it helps children link sounds with letters and remember them through rhyme and repetition.

Why It Works:

• Alphabet learning through fun storytelling

• Encourages memorization and phonemic awareness

• Great read-aloud pace for toddlers with short attention spans

Mom Tip: Add claps or drum taps to the rhythm, turn story time into dance time.

3. Press Here

By Hervé Tullet

Want your toddler to fall in love with reading? Give them control! This interactive book feels more like a game. Each page gives a new instruction, press, tilt, shake, and kids see the “results” on the next page, teaching cause and effect in the most engaging way.

Why It Works:

• Boosts focus, comprehension, and memory

• Teaches sequencing and direction-following

• Encourages active engagement (great for wigglers!)

Mom Tip: Let your little one “read” by giving the commands themselves!

4. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

By Eric Carle

An all-time favorite! This beautifully illustrated story teaches days of the week, counting, and healthy eating all through the story of one very hungry little caterpillar. The die-cut pages add tactile fun, and the simple sentences are perfect for beginning readers.

Why It Works:

• Combines storytelling with foundational concepts

• Repetition supports word recognition

• Visual sequencing builds early comprehension skills

Mom Tip: Use real food to “eat along” with the caterpillar, it’s interactive and snack-friendly!

5. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

By Eric Litwin & James Dean

Pete is laid-back, fun, and all about rolling with the punches (or puddles). This book’s catchy rhythm and positive message make it a hit with toddlers, and the repetitive storyline helps them learn to predict text and join in reading.

Why It Works:

• Builds early reading fluency with repeated phrases

• Encourages emotional regulation through story themes

• Color and object recognition made fun

Mom Tip: Make up your own verses when Pete steps in new things, kids love customizing the story.

6. Bob Books: Set 1 – Beginning Readers

By Bobby Lynn Maslen

Ready for that “I did it myself!” moment? These minimal, phonics-based books are a goldmine for early readers. Each book introduces a few new sounds and short words, making it achievable and rewarding for beginning readers.

Why It Works:

• Phonics-focused with gradual learning progression

• Bite-sized stories boost confidence

• Clean, simple illustrations support text comprehension

Mom Tip: Read the first few together, then hand over the reins for solo practice. Confidence = motivation.

7. Hop on Pop

By Dr. Seuss

This silly Seuss classic uses playful rhymes and easy word families to teach reading basics. It’s a phonics goldmine disguised as a gigglefest. The simplicity and silliness keep kids engaged and help them identify rhyming patterns.

Why It Works:

• Introduces word families and rhyming sounds

• Great for sounding out words

• Combines humor with literacy

Mom Tip: Use silly voices and let them shout rhymes, they’ll be “reading” before you know it!

8. Alphablock

By Christopher Franceschelli

This chunky, sturdy board book takes toddlers on an alphabet journey with peek-through pages that reveal words associated with each letter. The tactile cutouts and bold graphics keep even the most active toddlers interested.

Why It Works:

• Combines visual, auditory, and tactile learning

• Introduces vocabulary in a fun, sensory way

• Super durable for repeat reads

Mom Tip: Let your toddler trace the cutout letters with their finger, it reinforces letter recognition and fine motor skills.

9. First 100 Words

By Roger Priddy

This book is essential for an early reader. With real-life photos and bold word labels, it helps toddlers connect language to the world around them. Whether you’re pointing out animals, clothes, or vehicles, it’s vocabulary-building in a way that sticks.

Why It Works:

• High-contrast images ideal for young eyes

• Great for building word-object associations

• Supports early sight-word recognition

Mom Tip: Use it like a game, “Can you find the dog?” or “Which one is the banana?”

10. Alphabet Mystery

By Audrey Wood & Bruce Wood

This isn't your average ABC book, it's an actual story where lowercase letters go on a mission to find their missing friend, X. It's creative, adventurous, and sneaks in letter learning through narrative.

Why It Works:

• Teaches alphabet recognition through story

• Builds memory and sequencing skills

• Engages curious readers with a playful mystery

Mom Tip: Do voices for each letter! It helps kids remember and gives you an excuse to be a little silly.

What to Look for in a “Learn to Read” Book

Parent Tip: Create a Cozy Reading

Okay, hear us out, one of the best things we ever did was set up a cozy, no-pressure “reading spot” using our Poppyseed Play Padded Baby Play Mat. It’s soft, washable, and the perfect little reading zone. Here's what we do:

Our Mini Reading Routine:

1. Choose two books together, one familiar, one new.

2. Grab a snack or cozy blanket, and snuggle up on the mat.

3. Let your toddler flip pages too, even if they just babble through it. It’s part of the process!

4. Point and pause at letters or rhymes, encourage them to “read” with you.

5. Celebrate when they guess a word, spot a letter, or say “again!”

This turns reading into a special event, not a chore. Plus, having a soft, defined space helps kids associate it with comfort and fun.