10+ Best Award Winning Books for 2-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime story or interactive read for your toddler? Look no further! Our curated list of award-winning books for 2-year-olds offers a treasure trove of captivating stories that are sure to delight and engage your little one. From tales that tickle the funny bone to stories that gently lull them to sleep, discover the magic of reading with your child. Keep reading to explore various lists of award-winning books for 2-year-olds, each promising to be a hit at storytime!

Fun Award Winning Books for 2-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its colorful illustrations and interactive die-cut pages help young readers learn about counting, the days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful stories and learning about nature.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Classic
  • Synopsis: In this calming bedtime story, a young rabbit says goodnight to all the things in the room and beyond.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, gentle words and comforting pictures make it an ideal bedtime read, helping children wind down at the end of the day.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who need a soothing story to help them get ready for sleep.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A teacher and various colorful animals including a brown bear, a red bird, and a goldfish are sequentially asked what they see, introducing children to different colors and animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive, predictable text and vibrant artwork help toddlers develop language skills and recognize patterns.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy animal stories and learning about colors.

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: A child writes to the zoo asking to send a pet, leading to a series of crate openings revealing different animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: The interactive lift-the-flap format keeps toddlers engaged and helps develop their motor skills, while the simple, delightful story fosters a love of reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love interactive play and animals.

• Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: Sally searches for her missing puppy, Spot, around the house, encountering other animals along the way.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive flaps encourage curiosity and hands-on engagement, making reading a fun activity.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy playing hide-and-seek and stories featuring dogs.

Educational Award Winning Books for 2-Year-Olds

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: Letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree and tumble down, creating a lively, rhythmic story.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm and rhyme, early literacy skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines playful text and bold colorful illustrations to make learning the alphabet fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are starting to learn the alphabet and enjoy rhythmic, lively stories.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare express their love for each other, trying to measure how much they love each other.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, expressions of love, bonding
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a heartwarming story that beautifully illustrates the boundless nature of love between a parent and child.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and parents looking for a sweet, comforting bedtime read.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Winter Story
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploration, understanding seasons
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of a snowy day through the eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love snow and exploring the world around them.

• Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: Three baby owls, Sarah, Percy, and Bill, wake up one night to find their mother gone and try to comfort each other as they wait for her return.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional resilience, family bonding, understanding nature
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses separation anxiety with a reassuring story of the mother’s return, beautifully illustrated to captivate young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who experience separation anxiety or love stories about animals.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Adventure Book, Pattern Book
  • Synopsis: A family goes on an adventure, facing several obstacles, as they swish through grass, splash through a river, and squelch through mud in search of a bear.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sequencing, physical movements, adventure and exploration
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhythmic phrases invite active participation and the story encourages bravery and curiosity.
  • Perfect for: Energetic toddlers who enjoy acting out stories and going on imaginary adventures.

Challenging Award Winning Books for 2-Year-Olds

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently tries to convince the narrator to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with different companions.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces early readers to rhymes and repetitive phrases, which can be a bit complex for two-year-olds to grasp fully but excellent for cognitive development.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches persistence and the value of trying new things in a fun, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy playful sounds and silly scenarios.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: This classic story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, facing various challenges and learning important lessons.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure and the use of more formal English can be challenging for toddlers but provide a rich language experience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the imagination with its beautiful illustrations and timeless tale of adventure and consequences.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animal stories and exploring the natural world.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: Madeline, a brave and mischievous little girl living in a Parisian boarding school, goes on various adventures and faces challenges, including an appendectomy.
  • Why this book is challenging: The sophisticated rhyme scheme and occasional advanced vocabulary present a higher reading level that challenges young listeners.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to a different culture and the virtues of courage and resilience.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories of adventure and children in unique settings.

• Corduroy by Don Freeman
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure Book
  • Synopsis: Corduroy, a teddy bear in a department store, goes on a nighttime adventure to find a missing button, hoping to improve his chances of finding a home.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story's themes of friendship and belonging are woven through a narrative that requires understanding slightly complex emotional concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a heartwarming story about perseverance and the value of self-acceptance.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy heartfelt stories and have a fondness for toys.

• Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Harold uses a purple crayon to draw a world of his own adventures, creating everything from the moon to a boat to navigate his imagined seas.
  • Why this book is challenging: The abstract concepts of creating one's reality can be profound for young minds, encouraging imaginative thinking and problem-solving.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates creativity and shows how imagination can lead to discovery and joy.
  • Perfect for: Creative youngsters who love to draw and invent stories.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to introduce your 2-year-old to the magical world of award-winning books, here are some fun exercises that can help develop their reading habits early on. These activities are simple, engaging, and perfect for little learners!

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside time each day to read with your child.
  • How it helps: Builds a routine and fosters a love for reading.
  • Tips: Choose a consistent time each day to make this a comforting habit.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the pages of a book, discussing the pictures before reading the words.
  • How it helps: Enhances visual understanding and sets a context before reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what might happen in the story based on the pictures.

• Reenact Stories
  • What it is: Act out the stories you read with your child using simple props or costumes.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and makes reading a more interactive experience.
  • Tips: Let your child take the lead in choosing roles and deciding on props.

• Sing Along with Rhyming Books
  • What it is: Choose books with rhyming texts and sing them like songs.
  • How it helps: Encourages phonemic awareness and enjoyment of rhythmic patterns.
  • Tips: Be expressive and use different voices to make it more fun and engaging.

• Point and Name
  • What it is: Point to and name objects and characters in the book as you read.
  • How it helps: Helps build vocabulary and recognition skills.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to point and name things they recognize too.

Incorporating these simple exercises into your reading routine can significantly enhance your toddler’s early literacy skills. Not only will these activities keep them engaged, but they'll also build a strong foundation for their reading journey. So, grab some award-winning books for 2-year-olds and start having fun!