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

Are you on the lookout for the perfect way to introduce the magical world of melodies to your toddler? Look no further! Our curated guide on Music Books for 2-Year-olds is packed with delightful picks that promise to entertain and educate your little ones. Keep reading to discover a variety of engaging music books that are just right for their age and will surely hit the right note!

Fun Music Books for 2-Year-Olds

• Baby Beluga by Raffi, illustrated by Ashley Wolff
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This charming book brings to life Raffi's famous song about a little white whale on a fun-filled journey over the ocean waves.
  • Why we recommend this book: The rhythmic, soothing lyrics paired with delightful illustrations make reading and singing along a joyous bonding activity.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy sing-alongs and bedtime stories.

• Puff, the Magic Dragon by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton, illustrated by Eric Puybaret
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book adapts the classic song about Puff, the magic dragon, and his friend Jackie Paper, exploring themes of friendship and the passage of time.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the whimsical and poignant elements of the song, encouraging imagination and emotional awareness.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love dragons and magical adventures.

• Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
  • Genre(s): Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This rhythmic, rhyming book introduces children to different musical instruments in an orchestra as they join together to create a harmonious performance.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful introduction to musical instruments and counting, enhancing both musical and mathematical skills.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who show an interest in music and counting.

• The Wheels on the Bus by Raffi, illustrated by Sylvie Wickstrom
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Based on the popular children's song, this book takes readers on an exciting bus ride filled with fun actions and sounds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes language development through repetition and interactive elements, making reading a participative and enjoyable experience.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy interactive, sing-along books.

• Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton
  • Genre(s): Humor, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: This delightful board book features amusing rhymes and quirky illustrations of animals making their respective sounds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces animal sounds in a fun and memorable way, engaging young readers’ auditory and language skills.
  • Perfect for: Little ones who love animals and playful sounds.

Educational Music Books for 2-Year-Olds

• Music Is... by Brandon Stosuy, illustrated by Amy Martin
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book explores various aspects of music, from loud to quiet, slow to fast, and everything in between.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of musical concepts, appreciation for different types of music
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to the diversity of music through simple, engaging text and colorful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to explore the world of music.

• Welcome to the Symphony by Carolyn Sloan, illustrated by James Williamson
  • Genre(s): Music, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: A whimsical introduction to the orchestra, featuring 19 sound buttons to press and hear instruments from the symphony.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Recognition of orchestral instruments, auditory discrimination
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses interactive elements to make learning about the orchestra fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Young children who show interest in orchestral music and interactive learning.

• Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo by John Lithgow, illustrated by Leeza Hernandez
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Humorous Stories
  • Synopsis: This humorous tale follows a boy who discovers what happens when animals at the zoo decide to take up musical instruments.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Musical awareness, imagination
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines music with a fun, fantastical story that captivates and entertains.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories with animals and a touch of whimsy.

• My First Classical Music Book by Genevieve Helsby, illustrated by Jason Chapman
  • Genre(s): Classical Music, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book introduces children to classical music through engaging stories and includes a CD with examples of the music discussed.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Classical music knowledge, listening skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an excellent resource for introducing young ears to the beauty of classical music through a mix of storytelling and actual music samples.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters who are curious about music and parents who wish to introduce them to classical tunes.

• Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp! by Wynton Marsalis, illustrated by Paul Rogers
  • Genre(s): Jazz Music, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book captures the sounds of everyday objects in a rhythmic, musical way that mimics the improvisational nature of jazz.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Auditory skills, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to listen to the world around them and imagine it as a musical symphony.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy exploring sounds and rhythms.

Challenging Music Books for 2-Year-Olds

• Opera Cat by Tess Weaver, illustrated by Andrea Wesson
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: The story of Alma, a cat who secretly has the ability to sing opera, and her owner Madame SoSo, an opera singer who loses her voice right before a big performance.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces young readers to the sophisticated world of opera, incorporating elements of performance art that are not typically explored in children's literature.
  • Why we recommend this book: It exposes children to a genre of music that is rich and expressive, fostering an early appreciation for the arts.
  • Perfect for: Kids who show an interest in singing and theatrical stories.

• The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This touching tale follows a bear who discovers a piano in the forest and becomes a world-renowned pianist, only to realize that fame isn't everything and returns home to his friends.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes such as passion, success, and the value of home and friendship, which are profound for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important life lessons through a beautifully illustrated story and highlights the joy of music and following one's dreams.
  • Perfect for: Young musicians and any child learning about the balance between ambition and personal relationships.

• Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown, illustrated by Frank Morrison
  • Genre(s): Biography, Music
  • Synopsis: The story of Melba Doretta Liston, a pioneering jazz musician who overcame many obstacles to become a famous trombonist, composer, and arranger.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces biographical and historical concepts, as well as the struggles faced by African-American artists in the mid-20th century.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's inspiring and educational, highlighting the importance of perseverance and passion in achieving one's dreams.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young musicians and any child interested in history and overcoming adversity.

• Because by Mo Willems, illustrated by Amber Ren
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This book explores the series of events that lead to a young girl attending a concert that inspires her to become a composer.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a complex narrative structure that shows how various events are interconnected and how small actions can lead to significant outcomes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children about the impact of music and encourages them to think about how every event in life can lead to new opportunities.
  • Perfect for: Children who are curious about cause and effect and those who find inspiration in music.

• Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Rafael López
  • Genre(s): Biography, Historical
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Teresa Carreño, a gifted pianist from Venezuela who played the piano for President Abraham Lincoln during a turbulent time in America's history.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers historical events and the concept of using art to bring comfort during difficult times, which are advanced topics for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a moving story that illustrates the power of music to soothe and inspire, even in the darkest times.
  • Perfect for: Young pianists and any child interested in historical figures and the impact of the arts.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the world of music books with your 2-year-old, you're in for a treat! Music books not only entertain but can also be a fantastic tool for developing early reading habits. Here are some fun and simple exercises to enhance your little one's reading journey with music books.

• Sing Along Reading
  • What it is: Read the book aloud while singing the words that appear in a song format.
  • How it helps: Enhances memory and recognition skills through melody and repetition.
  • Tips: Try to match the tone and rhythm of the songs in the book to make it more engaging.

• Point and Name
  • What it is: Point to different musical instruments or characters in the book and name them aloud.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and helps in identifying various musical elements and characters.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to point and try naming the instruments or characters themselves.

• Clap the Rhythm
  • What it is: Clap along to the rhythm of the text or the songs in the music book.
  • How it helps: Teaches rhythm recognition and develops motor coordination.
  • Tips: Start with slow, simple rhythms and gradually increase the complexity as your child gets more comfortable.

• Echo Reading
  • What it is: You read a line from the book, and then your child repeats it after you.
  • How it helps: Improves memory, listening skills, and speech development.
  • Tips: Use expressive voices and facial expressions to make repetition fun and engaging.

• Create Your Own Lyrics
  • What it is: Change the lyrics of a familiar song in the book to something personal or silly.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and helps in understanding the structure of songs.
  • Tips: Let your child choose the words or themes, even if they are nonsensical; it's all about the fun of creation!

Wrapping up, integrating these simple exercises into your reading sessions can make music books a source of joy and a powerful learning tool for your toddler. Enjoy the rhythm and rhyme, and watch as your little one picks up new skills along their musical reading adventure!