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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to introduce your little one to the joy of music and reading? Look no further! Our guide to the best musical books for 2-year-olds is packed with delightful picks that are sure to entertain and educate. Whether you're looking for bedtime stories or interactive playtime options, keep reading to discover our favorite musical books that are tailor-made for toddlers. Get ready to turn the page on fun!

Fun Musical Books for 2-Year-Olds

• Puff, the Magic Dragon by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton, illustrated by Eric Puybaret
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Music
  • Synopsis: This beloved song turned into a picture book tells the story of an ageless dragon and his playmate, Jackie Paper, in the land of Honalee.
  • Why we recommend this book: It transforms a classic song into a visual and lyrical story, making it a captivating read that encourages imagination and musical interest.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy sing-along books and fantastical stories.

• Baby Beluga by Raffi, illustrated by Ashley Wolff
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book brings to life Raffi’s famous song about a little white whale swimming in the deep blue sea, exploring his watery world.
  • Why we recommend this book: The rhythmic and melodic text paired with beautiful illustrations makes reading fun and engaging for little ones, promoting an early love for music and reading.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who love animals and singing along to cheerful tunes.

• The Wheels on the Bus by Paul O. Zelinsky
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Nursery Rhymes
  • Synopsis: This interactive book based on the popular children's song includes movable parts to mimic the actions from the classic nursery rhyme.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive elements keep children engaged, and the repetitive, musical rhythm helps in language development.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy interactive reading and are beginning to learn about rhythm and rhyme.

• Sing a Song of Mother Goose by Barbara Reid
  • Genre(s): Nursery Rhymes, Children's Music
  • Synopsis: This collection features beloved nursery rhymes such as "Humpty Dumpty" and "Little Miss Muffet," all illustrated with unique plasticine art.
  • Why we recommend this book: The playful illustrations and classic rhymes make it a perfect tool to introduce toddlers to the sounds of language through music and art.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love engaging with colorful, tactile illustrations and the rhythmic sounds of spoken words.

• Five Little Ducks by Raffi, illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Counting Books
  • Synopsis: This book, based on Raffi’s song, tells the story of five little ducks that go out one day, over the hills and far away, and the mother duck’s response when they don’t immediately come back.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines music, counting, and a sweet story, which helps in cognitive development and emotional bonding through singing.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy counting games and playful stories with a musical twist.

Educational Musical Books for 2-Year-Olds

• Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Counting
  • Synopsis: This rhythmic text introduces children to the world of music and orchestras through a counting storyline that features different musical instruments joining together to create a chamber group.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, introduction to musical instruments, teamwork
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a playful and educational introduction to music and numbers, enhanced by vibrant illustrations that capture the joy of music.
  • Perfect for: Young music lovers and budding musicians.

• Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Animal Sounds
  • Synopsis: This delightful board book features various animals and the sounds they make, presented in a humorous and rhythmic manner that encourages children to mimic and learn.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal sounds, auditory skills, language development
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a fun, interactive read that combines humor with learning, making it engaging for little ones.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers starting to learn about animals and sounds.

• Music Is... by Brandon Stosuy, illustrated by Amy Martin
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Introduction to Music
  • Synopsis: This book provides a broad and inclusive overview of music genres and elements, from classical to electronic, all presented in a simple, accessible way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of different music genres, appreciation for music diversity
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a visually striking book that introduces children to the wide world of music, encouraging appreciation and exploration.
  • Perfect for: Young readers curious about different types of music and parents looking to introduce a broad music education.

• 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 attends a concert near a zoo and discovers what happens when the animals decide to join in the music-making.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative thinking, humor, understanding of music
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines a funny story with a love for music, captivating children’s attention while making them giggle.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy silly stories and animals.

• The Seashore Book by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Wendell Minor
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Nature
  • Synopsis: A mother describes the sights and sounds of the seashore to her child, evoking the rhythm of the waves and the melodies of seagulls through lyrical descriptions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory skills, appreciation for nature, calming techniques
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a beautifully written and illustrated book that captures the essence of the seaside, perfect for bedtime reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love nature and soothing stories.

Challenging Musical Books for 2-Year-Olds

• The Remarkable Farkle McBride by John Lithgow, illustrated by C.F. Payne
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Fiction
  • Synopsis: This story follows young musical prodigy Farkle McBride who masters every instrument only to find that something is still missing in his pursuit of happiness.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces children to various musical instruments and orchestral terminology which are advanced concepts for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a rich narrative that introduces the diversity of musical sounds and the concept of finding one's passion, all through engaging, rhythmic text.
  • Perfect for: Young prodigies and children curious about different musical instruments.

• Because by Mo Willems, illustrated by Amber Ren
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This book explores a chain of events that leads a young girl to a life-changing musical performance, highlighting how small moments can have big impacts.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with the concept of causality and inspiration, which are complex ideas for toddlers to grasp.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children about the impact of seemingly insignificant events and inspires appreciation for music and its power to influence lives.
  • Perfect for: Children who are inspired by stories of cause and effect and those interested in the impact of music.

• I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Rhythm and Movement
  • Synopsis: A young girl walks through her neighborhood embracing the rhythm of the world around her, from the tapping of her shoes to the noises of the city.
  • Why this book is challenging: It encourages auditory discrimination and rhythmic awareness, asking children to listen and feel the beat, which can be a developmental challenge.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes an active participation in reading through its rhythmic, lively text and vibrant illustrations, encouraging movement and dance.
  • Perfect for: Energetic toddlers who love to move and groove to their own beat.

• Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown, illustrated by Frank Morrison
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Biography
  • Synopsis: This picture book biography tells the story of Melba Liston, a trailblazing musician and trombonist who overcame many obstacles to become a great jazz legend.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces biographical storytelling and historical context about jazz music, which are sophisticated topics for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an inspiring story that highlights perseverance, passion for music, and the importance of following one’s dreams, all wrapped in rich, engaging illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring musicians and any child who needs to hear about the power of perseverance and self-belief.

• The Dance of the Violin by Kathy Stinson, illustrated by Dušan Petričić
  • Genre(s): Children's Music, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Based on a true story, this book follows young violinist Joshua Bell as he overcomes a disastrous performance at a competition by staying true to his love for music.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with overcoming failure and the emotional resilience required to continue pursuing one’s passion, complex themes for a young audience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a valuable lesson on resilience and the joy of music, encouraging children to keep striving for what they love.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are learning an instrument or any child facing challenges in mastering new skills.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing musical books to your 2-year-old can be a delightful way to blend the joy of music with the magic of reading. Here are some fun exercises that can help nurture a love for books in your little one while developing their early reading habits.

• Sing-Along Reading
  • What it is: Read a musical book aloud, singing the text where melodies are suggested or fit naturally.
  • How it helps: Enhances phonemic awareness and can improve memory and recall.
  • Tips: Choose books with repetitive, rhythmic patterns to make singing along easier and more fun.

• Musical Matching Game
  • What it is: Play a sound from a musical book and ask your child to point to the corresponding picture or word.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and aids in word-sound association.
  • Tips: Start with sounds and words that are distinct and easy to recognize to keep your child encouraged and engaged.

• Create Your Own Musical Story
  • What it is: Encourage your child to create their own story by giving them a set of pictures from a musical book and letting them narrate what's happening.
  • How it helps: Stimulates creativity and helps in sequencing as well as narrative skills.
  • Tips: Offer gentle prompts if they get stuck, and praise their efforts to boost confidence.

• Rhythm and Rhyme Repetition
  • What it is: Focus on the rhythmic and rhyming parts of musical books, repeating them together.
  • How it helps: Reinforces sound patterns which are crucial for early literacy.
  • Tips: Clap along to the rhythm to make it more interactive and enjoyable.

• Musical Book Puzzle
  • What it is: Use pages from a musical book that are sturdy or create laminated replicas and have your child piece them together in the right order.
  • How it helps: Promotes understanding of story sequence and logical thinking.
  • Tips: Help them by discussing what happens in the story as they piece together each part.

These exercises are not only fun but are also stepping stones to building a lifelong love for reading and music. Enjoy these interactive reading sessions, where each page turn sings a new tune and every rhyme teaches a rhythm. Happy reading and singing!