Well that is a misleading title for a post.
I intended to write a post about 10 excellent board books for toddlers.
Except that I got a bit excited and I wrote about more than 10.
And also included non-board books (because there are some truly amazing books for toddlers out there that aren’t in the indestructible board book format.)
So my apologies, but check out these beauties…..
I Am The Wolf… And Here I Come! By Benedicte Guettier
This is the very first book The Little Ladybird “read” aloud to herself.
Initially I thought this book may be a little scary for a 2-year-old, but she loves the interactivity of it.
It appears to be a book about getting dressed.
Until the last sentence, when The Wolf declares that he is coming to get you and the reader must snap the book shut.
My Toddler loved snapping the book closed quickly to avoid being “caught” by The Big, Bad Wolf.
We borrowed this from the library and it is now sitting in the pile of presents to wrap for Christmas.
(That’s a sign of a good book, isn’t it?)

Hot Dog, Cold Dog by Frann Preston-Gannon
I have mentioned a few times that I do have a soft spot for canine picture books.
But let’s be honest- there are approximately 65 billion* rhyming books about dogs.
So what sets this one apart from the rest?
A number of things…
– It celebrates the sausage dog (dachshunds).
– It is a book that teaches about opposites in a fun, engaging way.
– The illustrations are delightful.
– The author won The Sendak Fellowship. She got to work and live with the author of Where The Wild Things Are. That’s a seriously impressive accolade, don’t you think?!
* clearly I have just made this figure up.

An Alphabet in Silhouette by Natalie Jarvis
ABC books are a hot favourite with the 2 year-old at the moment.
She is also fascinated by shadows (especially her own.)
My husband and I attempted to show her how to make shadow puppets on the wall but had forgotten all the tricks.
Luckily we found this gem at the library.
Each letter is assigned an animal with a diagram to show how to create that shadow puppet.
It comes with a fabulous instructional poster.
You can make all kinds of animals- a yak/ vampire bay/ llama- to name just a few.

I Am So Brave and I Am So Big by Stephen Krensky and Sara Gillingham
A fair few of our toddler friends are getting these gorgeous books about empowerment for Christmas.
They celebrate braving new things and growing older.
Simple text paired with the gorgeous work of Sara Gillingham make these books a pure delight.
“So preeeeeeetty” as The Little Ladybird would say.

 

Snuggle the Baby by Sara Gillingham
Whilst I am being a Sara Gillingham Fan Girl, I have to mention this gorgeous book.
It’s like a Bringing-Up-Baby manual for kids.
It comes with a detachable cardboard doll that you can swaddle, feed (with a detachable bottle) and snuggle.
Perfect for any little friend about to become a big brother or sister.

 
Oh No, George! By Chris Haughton
Six months after borrowing this from the library, The Little Ladybird still wanders around the house, exclaiming “Oh No, George!”
George is a dog who tries very hard to be good.
When temptation is placed in your path though (cake! soil! rubbish!) what’s a dog to do?
Simple text paired with graphic, stylised illustrations make this another library book that will appear under the tree this Christmas.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury
All bookshelves need to house a Mem Fox book (or 10.)
This gorgeous rhyming book is a pleasure to read aloud and perfect for the evening wind-down.
It celebrates babies for all corners of the world.
There really is nothing sweeter than little baby toes and fingers.
We are also huge fans of Where is the Green Sheep? in this household.

The Hairy Maclary series by Lynley Dodd
These rhyming books are a joy to read aloud.
In rollicking rhyme, they detail the adventures of a ragtag crew of canines.
We’re all for celebrating Hairy Maclary in this house.

 

Goat Goes to Playgroup By Julia Donaldson and Nick Sharratt
Little ones love books that reflect their own life experiences.
Whenever I ask The Little Ladybird what she’d like to do for the day, her response is always “Playgroup!”
Needless to say, this book is a big hit here.
Goat is a bit clumsy, a bit mischievous.
We follow his adventures as he explores the dress-up box, the painting station and many other common playgroup activities.
The trademark rhyme of Julia Donaldson paired with the signature illustrations of Nick Sharratt make this a winning toddler board book.

 

Please Mr Panda by Steve Antony
If these endpapers don’t make you crave doughnuts, then I don’t know what will!
This is not a board book, but if you know a little person who forgets their manners occasionally, this is the book for them.
Panda offers his doughnuts to his animal friends, but they forget their manners.
The illustrations are bold and striking and the story simple but delightful and effective.

I’m a Dirty Dinosaur by Janeen Brian and Ann James
The story of a little dinosaur who loves playing in mud.
By the end of the book, he is completely covered in mud so needs a bath to clean himself up.
The rhythmical text is perfect for young readers to join in with.
The illustrations are bright and bold and were done using real mud.

When I purchase my books, I use Booktopia. Their prices are competitive and their delivery is prompt. The titles and images of each book will take you to the Australian based online bookstore Booktopia. As a Booktopia Affiliate, purchases clicked through from my blog result in a small commission. You do not pay any extra for your books! Commission is used to maintain Oh Creative Day and a portion of commissions made is donated to the Touched By Olivia Foundation. Happy Reading!