I love that my toddler loves books. I also love when she hands me one that I actually want to read again. Because when we find a favorite, we are apparently committing to reading it until the pages fall out.
These are five toddler books that save my sanity on the 400th read. A little humor, words that are fun to say, and occasionally something educational. For me. Apparently I still need that.
If you’re looking for funny read-aloud books that parents can enjoy too, these are the ones I’m happy to keep in rotation.
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Sheep in a Jeep
By Nancy Shaw, illustrated by Margot Apple
Simple enough that I can remember the words. Funny enough that I don’t mind continuing to read them.
It’s a bunch of sheep in a jeep making consistently questionable decisions. The rhymes are short and easy to get into, and the pictures make their little road trip even funnier. There’s a whole lot going wrong for a book with so few words.
Honestly, sometimes I just need a book that doesn’t require me to form a new thought. These sheep understand the assignment.
If you like short, rhyming books for toddlers, this one is an easy pick. Especially when “one more book” has already happened six times.
Take a ride with these questionable drivers (Amazon)
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear
By Don and Audrey Wood
We call this one the strawberry mouse book, because even the title is a commitment.
This little mouse is trying to protect his strawberry from a big hungry bear, and the facial expressions are so good. The panic. The planning. All over a strawberry. To be fair, with what berries cost, I understand.
There’s just enough suspense to make it fun to read dramatically, even when you already know exactly what happens. It’s a quick read, but the pictures give you plenty to stop and look at.
Sometimes I like to pretend there’s a big hungry bear coming to eat my toddler’s lunch. You gotta do what you gotta do to get them to eat, am I right??
See what all the strawberry drama is about (Amazon)
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
By Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
I could say “click, clack, moo” a hundred times. Which is convenient, because I probably already have today.
Also, cows that type? Hilarious. Cows using their typing skills to demand electric blankets? I’m listening.
The cows decide there will be no milk until their requests are met, and Farmer Brown is having a hard time accepting that his livestock can send him written complaints. It’s ridiculous in a way that is still funny when you’re the adult reading it.
The repeating sounds make this such a fun book to read aloud. But the cows taking their complaints straight to management are what keep me entertained.
My vote is the cows get their electric blankets. They’re cold. They put it in writing. What more do you want from them?
Escargot
By Dashka Slater, illustrated by Sydney Hanson
Idk man, the snail might actually be my favorite animal after this book.
Escargot is a little French snail who wants to be your favorite animal and get to the salad at the end of the book. He also has some concerns about carrots. A charming little guy with strong opinions about his food? Sounds familiar.
He talks directly to you, so there’s plenty of room to answer him, be dramatic, and get a little too invested in whether this snail will try a vegetable.
If you enjoy interactive read-aloud books, this one gives you a lot to work with. You are very much part of the story. And in my case, apparently part of the cast.
I may or may not get way too into character for this book. But it’s showbiz, babe.
Meet your new favorite snail (Amazon)
Nerdy Babies: Space
By Emmy Kastner
I love a book that teaches me stuff. Maybe on the 5,689th read I’ll finally remember the order of the planets.
This one follows little baby astronauts through space, with facts about the sun, moon, planets, and gravity. The pictures are cute, and there’s actual information in there for the adult whose brain has mostly been occupied by snacks and nap schedules.
Am I expecting my toddler to understand the solar system? No. Am I enjoying a little refresher while we look at smiling planets? Absolutely.
It’s a fun space book to explore together now, with more information to talk about as she gets older.
At least one of us should leave story time knowing something about space.
Brush up on your planets with us (Amazon)
Toddler Books I’m Happy to Read Again
If I’m going to read a book 400 times, I would like to enjoy myself a little too. Give me irresponsible sheep, cows with demands, or a snail who needs an audience, and I’m happy to read it again.
These are the books that make repeat story time fun for me, too. Which feels like a perfectly reasonable requirement for the person doing all the voices.
What’s the book you still love on the 400th read? I’m always looking for another one I won’t have to quietly hide behind the couch.