Building Our Toddler’s Holiday Book Wishlist: 6 Books We Can’t Wait to Add
- justatiredmama65
- Oct 20
- 3 min read
As much as I love adding toys to our toddler’s holiday wishlist, I also love growing his library. Books spark imagination, teach life skills, and provide moments of connection—something I want to prioritize just as much as playtime. Often, I end up adding more books to his wishlist than toys!
This year, we’ve picked six books that are perfect for our 2.5-year-old, each for a unique reason:
1. Guess the Emotions: A Lift-the-Flap Book with 35 Flaps!
Understanding emotions is a big part of early childhood development, and Guess the Emotions makes it fun and interactive. Each page shows a character experiencing a different feeling—anger, sadness, fear, or happiness—and offers advice on how to handle it. With 35 flaps to lift, toddlers get to explore and discover answers themselves.
Learning feeling words is such an important step for toddlers—it helps them understand their own emotions and gives them the language to communicate how they feel to others. By naming emotions, children can better navigate tricky social situations, express themselves clearly, and develop empathy for the feelings of those around them. The colorful illustrations and interactive design make this book a perfect tool for teaching both self-awareness and emotional literacy at a young age.
2. Bluey 5-Minute Stories: 6 Stories in 1 Book
If your toddler loves the show Bluey, this treasury of six stories is a dream come true. Each story is designed to be read in five minutes or less, making it ideal for bedtime, car rides, or quick reading sessions.
Through Bluey and Bingo’s adventures, toddlers explore problem-solving, teamwork, and the ups and downs of everyday life. Short, engaging stories like these help children practice listening skills, learn social lessons, and understand emotions in relatable scenarios. They also encourage conversation—your toddler might start pointing out feelings or actions from the story in their own daily experiences!
3. The Pigeon WON’T Count to 10!
Counting doesn’t always come easily—or willingly—to toddlers, and The Pigeon WON’T Count to 10! makes learning numbers silly, interactive, and relatable. With its humorous storyline and playful illustrations, children are invited to follow along, make predictions, and even try counting themselves.
Books like this help toddlers develop early numeracy while also practicing patience, reasoning, and self-expression. They learn that it’s okay to try, make mistakes, or say “no” sometimes—and that emotions like frustration or stubbornness are natural and manageable.
4. You Are Fantastic!
Some books are just pure joy, and You Are Fantastic! is exactly that. With vibrant illustrations and a celebration of everything that makes a child unique, this board book is perfect for boosting confidence and self-esteem.
Toddlers are beginning to notice their own strengths and differences from others. Reading affirming books like this helps them recognize their worth, develop positive self-talk, and communicate pride in who they are. Plus, it’s a fun way to open conversations about kindness, compliments, and celebrating others’ uniqueness too!
5. Little Monkey Calms Down
Toddlers have big feelings, and teaching them to self-soothe is an essential skill. Little Monkey Calms Down models coping strategies like deep breathing, cuddling a blanket, and singing quietly.
Books that show practical self-regulation techniques help children understand that emotions are manageable. They also give toddlers the vocabulary to explain when they feel upset, frustrated, or overwhelmed, which strengthens communication and emotional intelligence from an early age.
6. The Rainbow Cleanup: A Magical Organizing Adventure
Cleaning up doesn’t have to be a chore! The Rainbow Cleanup turns tidying into a colorful, magical adventure. Hannah and Mia transform their messy room into a masterpiece using rainbow-colored bins and a little imagination.
Beyond teaching organizational skills, this book helps toddlers learn sequencing, categorization, and the joy of completing tasks. It also encourages cooperative play and communication, as children can talk through sorting items, making decisions, and celebrating a job well done.
Books are more than just something to read—they’re tools for learning, exploring emotions, and sparking creativity. Each of these six books has earned a spot on our toddler’s shelf because they teach, inspire, and, most importantly, bring joy.
What’s on your toddler’s holiday book wishlist this year?
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