Books Lists
10+ Best Train Books for 2-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Choo-choo! Are you on the lookout for the perfect train books for 2-year-olds to captivate your little one's imagination? Whether it's the rhythmic chug of the tracks or the vibrant illustrations, these books are sure to delight your toddler. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that will make storytime both fun and educational!
Table of Contents
Fun Train Books for 2-Year-Olds
- Freight Train by Donald Crews
- Genre(s): Children’s Fiction
- Synopsis: A colorful train moves through tunnels, over trestles, and past cities as it travels across the country.
- Why we recommend this book: Its vibrant, simple illustrations and minimal text make it easy for toddlers to follow along and learn about colors and train parts.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love trains and are just starting to explore the joys of reading.
- Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo by Kevin Lewis, illustrated by Daniel Kirk
- Genre(s): Children’s Fiction
- Synopsis: The story follows a day in the life of a busy little freight train as it travels through cities, over mountains, and through tunnels.
- Why we recommend this book: The rhythmic, repetitive text and lively illustrations make it a fun read that can help build early literacy skills.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories with rhythm and repetition, and those fascinated by trains.
- Thomas and Friends: My Red Railway Book Box (Set of 4 books) by Rev. W. Awdry
- Genre(s): Children’s Fiction
- Synopsis: This set includes four board books that introduce toddlers to the adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends.
- Why we recommend this book: The sturdy board book format is perfect for little hands, and the stories of friendship and teamwork are valuable for young minds.
- Perfect for: Thomas the Tank Engine enthusiasts and toddlers who enjoy engaging stories with moral lessons.
- The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
- Genre(s): Children’s Fiction
- Synopsis: A small engine overcomes a seemingly impossible task through determination and courage.
- Why we recommend this book: Its message of perseverance and self-belief is inspiring for young children, encouraging them to think "I can."
- Perfect for: Children who need a motivational boost and enjoy cheering for the underdog.
- Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
- Genre(s): Children’s Fiction
- Synopsis: Animals load the train cars with all sorts of items before setting off into the night.
- Why we recommend this book: The soothing, rhythmic text and magical illustrations make it a perfect bedtime story.
- Perfect for: Kids who need a calming read before sleep and love creative, imaginative stories.
Educational Train Books for 2-Year-Olds
- Trains Go by Steve Light
- Genre(s): Children’s Fiction
- Synopsis: This vibrant book showcases various types of trains and the sounds they make as they travel through different landscapes.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Auditory discrimination, vocabulary related to sounds and transportation
- Why we recommend this book: The playful, bold illustrations and repetitive sound words engage young readers and stimulate phonological awareness.
- Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy sounds and interactive reading experiences.
- Train! by Judi Abbot
- Genre(s): Children’s Fiction
- Synopsis: A rabbit and a bear both love playing with their train sets, but they learn that playing together is more fun.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, sharing, cooperative play
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches valuable lessons about friendship and sharing through a fun and relatable story.
- Perfect for: Young children learning the importance of sharing and playing with others.
- All Aboard! National Parks: A Wildlife Primer by Haily Meyers and Kevin Meyers
- Genre(s): Children’s Non-Fiction, Educational
- Synopsis: This board book takes young readers on a train journey through various national parks, introducing them to different wildlife.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal identification, nature knowledge
- Why we recommend this book: It combines the thrill of train travel with educational content about wildlife and natural environments.
- Perfect for: Nature-loving toddlers and those curious about animals and trains.
- The Goodnight Train by June Sobel, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
- Genre(s): Children’s Fiction
- Synopsis: This bedtime story features a magical train ride that helps children wind down and get ready for sleep.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Bedtime routines, relaxation techniques
- Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic prose and soothing storyline make it an ideal read for bedtime, helping kids relax and drift off to sleep.
- Perfect for: Toddlers who need help settling down at night and enjoy gentle, rhythmic stories.
- Trains Can Float: and other fun facts by Laura Lyn DiSiena and Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Pete Oswald
- Genre(s): Children’s Non-Fiction, Educational
- Synopsis: This book provides a series of fun and surprising facts about trains, engaging young minds with interesting tidbits.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: General knowledge, curiosity about how things work
- Why we recommend this book: It's packed with fascinating facts that can spark a child’s interest in science and technology.
- Perfect for: Curious toddlers who have an interest in trains and learning fun, new information.
Challenging Train Books for 2-Year-Olds
- Locomotive by Brian Floca
- Genre(s): Children’s Non-Fiction, Historical
- Synopsis: This detailed book explores the history of the American railroads in the 1860s, focusing on the crew, the passengers, and the vast journey.
- Why this book is challenging: It includes advanced vocabulary and historical context that are more complex than typical books for this age group.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a richly illustrated and educational glimpse into American history through the lens of train travel.
- Perfect for: Young historians and train enthusiasts eager to learn more about the past.
- The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Children’s Fiction
- Synopsis: A young boy takes a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure and the use of figurative language provide a deeper, more immersive reading experience.
- Why we recommend this book: It captures the spirit of Christmas and the power of belief through beautiful, dreamlike illustrations.
- Perfect for: Children who love magical stories and holiday themes.
- Alphabet Trains by Samantha R. Vamos, illustrated by Ryan O'Rourke
- Genre(s): Children’s Non-Fiction, Educational
- Synopsis: This book teaches the alphabet through various trains from around the world, each representing a different letter.
- Why this book is challenging: It introduces diverse and sometimes complex train-related vocabulary that goes beyond simple ABCs.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fun way to learn the alphabet while also exploring different types of trains.
- Perfect for: Toddlers who are ready to expand their vocabulary and enjoy learning about transportation.
- Subway by Anastasia Suen, illustrated by Karen Katz
- Genre(s): Children’s Fiction
- Synopsis: A mother and daughter spend a rainy day riding the subway, exploring the sights and sounds of the city.
- Why this book is challenging: The book uses rhythmic text and introduces urban settings in a detailed way that requires more advanced comprehension skills.
- Why we recommend this book: It provides a colorful and lively depiction of city life through the eyes of a child.
- Perfect for: Urban dwellers or any child curious about city life and public transportation.
- Engine Engine No. 9 by Stephanie Calmenson, illustrated by Ivan Bates
- Genre(s): Children’s Fiction, Rhyme
- Synopsis: This playful book features a rhyming text about trains and their journeys, engaging young readers with its rhythmic cadence.
- Why this book is challenging: The rhyming and rhythmic patterns in the text help develop phonemic awareness but are more complex than typical nursery rhymes.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging way to introduce young readers to poetic forms while enjoying the exciting world of trains.
- Perfect for: Kids who love music and rhythm, and those who enjoy playful and engaging stories.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Sure, let’s dive into some engaging exercises tailored for 2-year-olds that revolve around train books! These activities are designed not only to entertain but also to foster early reading habits and comprehension skills in toddlers.
- Train Book Picture Match
- What it is: Match pictures from the book to real-world objects or printed cards.
- How it helps: Enhances visual recognition and vocabulary.
- Tips: Use colorful pictures and name the objects as you match them to keep the activity lively and educational.
- Story Retell Train
- What it is: Encourage your child to retell the train story in their own words.
- How it helps: Boosts memory and understanding of narrative structure.
- Tips: Ask questions about the story to guide their retelling and make it more interactive.
- Sound of the Train
- What it is: Make train noises that correspond to different parts of the book.
- How it helps: Connects auditory senses with visual cues to enhance comprehension.
- Tips: Be expressive and use different sounds for different actions to make it fun and engaging.
- Train Track Words
- What it is: Draw simple train tracks and place words or phrases from the book along the tracks.
- How it helps: Helps in word recognition and understanding context.
- Tips: Use large, clear handwriting and colorful markers to draw attention to the words.
- Count the Cars
- What it is: Count the number of train cars in the book illustrations.
- How it helps: Introduces basic math concepts and attention to detail.
- Ips: Make it a game by rewarding them with a sticker for each correct count.
These exercises will make reading train books an exciting and educational journey for your 2-year-old. By incorporating these fun activities, you’re not just reading a book; you’re embarking on an adventure that builds the foundation for lifelong reading habits. So, all aboard the learning train—choo choo!