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

Are you on the lookout for the perfect French books for 2-year-olds to introduce a new language to your little one? You've come to the right place! Navigating through the sea of children's books can be overwhelming, but we've curated a delightful selection of French books that are just right for toddlers. Keep reading to discover our top picks that will not only entertain but also help foster a love for the French language early on in your child's life.

Fun French Books for 2-Year-Olds

• T'choupi va sur le pot by Thierry Courtin
  • Genre(s): Early Learning, Fiction
  • Synopsis: T'choupi, the beloved toddler character, faces the challenge of using the potty for the first time.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s great for introducing toddlers to the concept of toilet training in a fun and relatable way.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn about potty training and parents seeking a supportive tool for this milestone.

• Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: This timeless tale tells the story of a young prince who travels the universe gaining wisdom.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple language and profound messages about life and human nature are accessible and thought-provoking for readers of all ages.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and thinkers, as well as parents who enjoy philosophical and heartfelt stories to discuss with their children.

• Pomme d'Api by Various Authors
  • Genre(s): Magazine, Educational
  • Synopsis: A monthly magazine that includes stories, activities, and games tailored for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a diverse range of content that helps develop language skills and keeps learning interactive and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Energetic toddlers who enjoy a mix of reading and play, and parents looking for educational content in a fun format.

• Devine combien je t'aime by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare show each other how much they love each other, stretching their arms wide and hopping high.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the boundless nature of love between a parent and child.
  • Perfect for: Young children and parents seeking a heartwarming bedtime story to share.

• Cache-cache des grosses bêtes by Émile Jadoul
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This book invites toddlers to engage in a hide-and-seek game with big, friendly animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive flaps encourage motor skills and playful discovery.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who love animals and interactive reading sessions.

Educational French Books for 2-Year-Olds

• Mon imagier des animaux by Nathalie Choux
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This colorful board book introduces toddlers to various animals through engaging illustrations and simple text.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal recognition, vocabulary development, early language skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses large, tactile flaps which are perfect for little hands to explore and interact with, making learning fun and active.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are animal lovers and young learners beginning to build their vocabulary.

• Couleurs by Hervé Tullet
  • Genre(s): Concept Book, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book engages toddlers with the concept of colors through pressing, mixing, and discovering new shades.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color identification, cause and effect understanding, hand-eye coordination
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a playful and hands-on approach to learning colors, encouraging creativity and interaction.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy interactive reading and parents who appreciate creative educational tools.

• L'imagerie des bébés - La ferme by Nathalie Bélineau, illustrated by Émilie Beaumont
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book features simple and appealing images of farm life, aiming to teach young children about animals and farm activities.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Farm animal recognition, basic vocabulary, early learning about the farm environment
  • Why we recommend this book: Its clear, bright images and simple text are perfectly suited to capture the attention of young minds and stimulate early learning.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to explore the world around them, especially those interested in animals and nature.

• Cherche et trouve des tout-petits - Chez les animaux by Thierry Laval
  • Genre(s): Search and Find, Educational
  • Synopsis: This interactive book invites toddlers to search for various animals in different settings, enhancing observation skills.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, animal recognition, concentration
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a fun and engaging way to develop focus and observational skills through colorful and detailed illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy playing 'I spy' and those who love animals.

• Mes premières chansons by Sophie Maraval-Hutin
  • Genre(s): Music, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This sound book introduces toddlers to classic French nursery rhymes, with buttons to press and songs to sing along.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Musical rhythm, auditory skills, language development
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines auditory learning with interactive features to enhance language comprehension and musical appreciation.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy music and singing, and parents looking for a fun way to introduce French songs to their children.

Challenging French Books for 2-Year-Olds

• Le Loup qui voulait changer de couleur by Orianne Lallemand, illustrated by Éléonore Thuillier
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This story features a wolf who is unhappy with his natural color and tries various ways to change it throughout the week.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces concepts of days of the week and colors through a narrative that requires understanding of sequence and memory.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches color recognition and the days of the week in a fun and engaging story format, encouraging both cognitive development and emotional understanding.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy colorful stories and are learning about colors and time concepts.

• Ma maison by Delphine Chedru
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This book invites young readers to explore various types of homes and what makes them unique, using flaps and detailed illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: It incorporates interactive elements that require fine motor skills and understanding of different living environments.
  • Why we recommend this book: It expands a child’s understanding of the world and different cultures through the concept of homes, fostering early geographical and social awareness.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are curious about different places people live and love interactive reading.

• Qui quoi qui by Olivier Tallec
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Mystery
  • Synopsis: This book presents a series of simple mysteries for children to solve about who did what in various scenarios.
  • Why this book is challenging: It encourages critical thinking and observation as children must pay attention to details to solve the puzzles.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a playful introduction to problem-solving and deduction, critical skills for cognitive development.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and any toddler who loves solving puzzles and mysteries.

• Les cinq sens by Hélène Montardre, illustrated by Robert Barborini
  • Genre(s): Educational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book explores the five senses through interactive elements and engaging illustrations, teaching children how they perceive the world.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex physiological concepts like sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell in an accessible way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children understand their own bodies and encourages them to explore the world through their senses.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to explore the basics of human biology and those curious about how their bodies work.

• Au Louvre avec Jacqueline Duhême by Jacqueline Duhême
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book takes young readers on a tour of the Louvre, guided by illustrations and stories by the famous French illustrator Jacqueline Duhême.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces young readers to famous artworks and historical figures in a detailed and narrative manner that requires focus and imagination.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a unique approach to introducing art history to children, fostering an early appreciation for art and history.
  • Perfect for: Young art lovers and any child interested in stories about different times and cultures.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing young children to the world of books is a magical journey, especially when it involves the charming nuances of the French language. Here are some simple exercises that can help your 2-year-old develop good reading habits with French books. These activities are designed to be engaging and beneficial for their early development.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flipping through the book and talking about the pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances the child's anticipation and prediction skills.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to make the child think and engage more.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read the book aloud while your child listens or follows along.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and helps them understand the rhythm and pronunciation of French.
  • Tips: Change your tone and pace to make it more fun and interactive.

• Point and Name
  • What it is: Pointing at objects in the book and naming them in French.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and recognition of common words and phrases.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to point and try naming the objects too.

• Sing French Nursery Rhymes
  • What it is: Singing children's songs found in or related to the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances language learning through music and repetition.
  • Tips: Use gestures and expressions to make the singing more lively and memorable.

• Simple Repetition Game
  • What it is: Repeating phrases or sentences from the book.
  • How it helps: Aids in memorization and pronunciation of French words.
  • Tips: Applaud their efforts to repeat after you, regardless of accuracy, to boost confidence.

• Match the Words
  • What it is: Matching spoken or written words with pictures in the book.
  • How it helps: Strengthens word recognition and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Start with obvious matches to build confidence, then gradually increase difficulty.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about creating a fun and interactive environment where your little one can fall in love with the sounds and sights of the French language. Enjoy this special time with your child as you explore the delightful world of French books together!