10+ Best Usborne Books for 2-3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read to captivate your little one's imagination? Look no further than Usborne Books for 2-3-Year-Olds, a treasure trove of engaging and colorful stories designed just for toddlers. In this blog, we'll dive into various lists of Usborne Books that are sure to delight and educate your child. So, cozy up and keep reading to discover the magical world of books that Usborne has crafted for your toddler's enjoyment and learning!

Fun Usborne Books for 2-3-Year-Olds

• That's Not My Puppy... by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Rachel Wells
  • Genre(s): Touch-and-Feel Book, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This engaging book allows toddlers to explore different textures as they search for their puppy. Each page features a different texture, helping young readers to develop sensory and language skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and sensory, making it a delightful way for toddlers to engage with books and develop their sense of touch and vocabulary.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy sensory play and animal lovers.

• Peep Inside the Zoo by Anna Milbourne, illustrated by Simona Dimitri
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book takes children on a journey through a zoo, discovering what animals are doing behind the scenes. Each page has flaps to lift, which reveal interesting facts about the animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's educational and interactive, perfect for sparking curiosity about animals and nature in young minds.
  • Perfect for: Curious toddlers who love exploring and learning about different animals.

• The Usborne Big Book of Colors by Felicity Brooks, illustrated by Sophia Touliatou
  • Genre(s): Concept Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book introduces young readers to a world of colors, showing how they are formed and the many shades they come in.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's visually stimulating and helps toddlers understand the concept of colors and their variations.
  • Perfect for: Little ones who are beginning to learn about and appreciate colors.

• Lift-the-Flap Very First Questions and Answers: What is Poop? by Katie Daynes, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides a simple and clear explanation of what poop is and why everyone does it, with flaps to lift that reveal hidden surprises and facts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It tackles a subject that is naturally fascinating to toddlers in an educational and fun way, encouraging them to understand their bodies.
  • Perfect for: Inquisitive toddlers who have lots of questions about everyday things.

• Baby's Very First Slide and See Animals by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Stella Baggott
  • Genre(s): Interactive Book, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This book features colorful and dynamic scenes with sliding panels that allow toddlers to move parts of the page to reveal hidden animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: It enhances fine motor skills and provides an interactive reading experience that keeps little ones engaged.
  • Perfect for: Young children who love interactive play and discovering animals.

Educational Usborne Books for 2-3-Year-Olds

• First Thousand Words in English by Heather Amery, illustrated by Stephen Cartwright
  • Genre(s): Educational, Picture Dictionary
  • Synopsis: This book is a comprehensive picture dictionary that introduces young children to a wide range of everyday words in English.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary expansion, language skills, early reading skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses fun illustrations and simple word labels that encourage naming and picture association, which is key in language development.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to speak and build their vocabulary.

• Look Inside: Your Body by Louie Stowell, illustrated by Kate Leake
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This interactive book explores the human body with flaps that little ones can lift to discover what goes on underneath their skin.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic anatomy, curiosity about the human body, motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning about the body engaging and accessible, with simple explanations suited to young minds.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who have questions about how their bodies work.

• Animal Hide and Seek by Jenny Tyler and Stephen Cartwright
  • Genre(s): Touch-and-Feel Book, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This book combines the fun of a hide-and-seek game with textures for toddlers to feel, enhancing their sensory and discovery skills.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory skills, animal recognition, interactive play
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and tactile, which helps in sensory development and keeps the reading experience lively and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy interactive reading and playing games.

• Very First Book of Things to Spot by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Stephen Barker
  • Genre(s): Search and Find Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book invites toddlers to spot different objects and characters in various scenes, aiding in the development of observational skills.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, vocabulary, attention to detail
  • Why we recommend this book: It's full of fun illustrations and simple prompts that encourage interaction and careful looking.
  • Perfect for: Young children who love finding and naming things in pictures.

• Farmyard Tales First Words Flashcards by Heather Amery, illustrated by Stephen Cartwright
  • Genre(s): Educational, Flashcards
  • Synopsis: These flashcards feature common words and characters from the Farmyard Tales series, designed to help toddlers build their vocabulary and recognition skills.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Memory, word recognition, language development
  • Why we recommend this book: They are a practical tool for fun learning and can be used in various engaging activities.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are starting to learn words and enjoy interactive learning tools.

Challenging Usborne Books for 2-3-Year-Olds

• The Usborne Complete Book of the Microscope by Kirsteen Rogers
  • Genre(s): Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explores the fascinating world seen through a microscope, from tiny organisms to the detailed structures of plants and minerals.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex scientific concepts and microscopic details that are not usually explored at this age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It expands a child’s understanding of the world around them on a microscopic level, fostering early interest in science.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and curious minds interested in exploring beyond what the eye can see.

• First Encyclopedia of Space by Paul Dowswell
  • Genre(s): Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides an introduction to the wonders of space, including stars, planets, and the universe.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers vast and complex topics about space that are typically introduced at older ages.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps to spark curiosity about astronomy and the universe, encouraging early scientific thinking.
  • Perfect for: Little explorers who are fascinated by the stars and outer space.

• Illustrated Stories from Aesop retold by Susanna Davidson, illustrated by John Joven
  • Genre(s): Classic Literature, Fables
  • Synopsis: This collection features timeless fables by Aesop, each with a moral lesson, illustrated to capture the imagination of young readers.
  • Why this book is challenging: The morals and themes of these stories provoke deeper thinking and ethical understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces classic literature and important life lessons in an accessible and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with lessons and those beginning to understand moral concepts.

• Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers About Art by Katie Daynes, illustrated by Marie-Eve Tremblay
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, Lift-the-Flap
  • Synopsis: This interactive book answers common questions children might have about art, featuring flaps to lift and discover more information.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces artistic concepts and vocabulary that are advanced for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages appreciation of art and creativity while developing motor skills through flap lifting.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and creative minds curious about how art is made and what it represents.

• Peep Inside Space by Anna Milbourne, illustrated by Simona Dimitri
  • Genre(s): Space, Lift-the-Flap, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book takes young readers on a journey to outer space, exploring planets, stars, and galaxies with flaps to lift and secrets to uncover.
  • Why this book is challenging: The topic of space is inherently complex and usually tackled by older children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes the vast concept of space accessible and engaging for very young readers.
  • Perfect for: Curious toddlers who love to explore and have an early interest in science and space.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to foster a love for reading in your little ones, Usborne books are a fantastic resource. These books are colorful, engaging, and designed to capture the interest of 2-3-year-olds. Here are some fun reading exercises you can do with your toddlers to make the most out of these delightful books.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the book, looking at and talking about the pictures before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what might happen in the story based on the pictures.

• Story Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out the story with your child after reading it.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and helps children remember the story details.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-play more exciting and memorable.

• Repeat After Me
  • What it is: Read a sentence and then have your child repeat it back to you.
  • How it helps: Helps with memory and word recognition.
  • Tips: Keep your tone lively and encourage your child by clapping or cheering when they repeat correctly.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Pick out words from the book and ask your child to find objects around the house that start with the same sound.
  • How it helps: Enhances phonemic awareness, which is crucial for early reading skills.
  • Tips: Start with sounds that are easy to recognize and pronounce.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Use illustrations or key events from the book to put the story in order.
  • How it helps: Develops understanding of narrative structure and sequence.
  • Tips: Use tangible items like printed pictures or cards for this activity to make rearranging easier for tiny hands.

These exercises are not only fun but also incredibly beneficial in developing early literacy skills. By incorporating these activities into your reading time, you're setting a strong foundation for your child's reading journey. So grab your favorite Usborne book and let the fun and learning begin!