The Best Bookish Birthday Gifts for
1- and 2-Year-Olds
by Dena McMurdie
With toddlerhood comes a slightly longer attention span and an interest in books, which makes them the perfect birthday gift for your 1- or 2-year-old. Little readers like books with moving parts, flaps to lift, bright colors, and things to touch.
I love giving kids a book (or several) that will become a cherished part of their childhood. The kinds of books that they’ll want to read again and again. Whether I’m looking for gifts for my own kids or those of my friends, I usually start with these titles.
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Guess How Much I Love You: Little Library
I bought this set of books for my daughter's first birthday. She loved them! The soft colors and simple stories are comforting and sweet.
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The Eric Carle Gift Set
You can’t go wrong with Eric Carle. His books are a must-have for growing up, and this gift set comes with four of them. These lesser-known but still popular books make for a wonderful and unique addition to any child's library.
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Pat the Bunny: First Books for Baby
Available from:Now that those little hands aren’t putting everything directly into their mouths, it’s a good time to bring out touch-and-feel classics like Pat the Bunny. For an extra special gift, snag this box set with Pat the Puppy and Pat the Cat included.
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Chicka Chicka Box Box!
Kids love the rhythm in these two books (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom; Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3). They’re upbeat and easy to read. Perfect for little minds just learning to count and recognize letters.
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar's Finger Puppet Book
Available from:Who can resist a finger puppet version of their favorite book? Munch through the story you and your child already love with this interactive edition.
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Big Box of Boynton Set 2!
When my hard-to-please baby turned one, I finally got her interested in reading by singing along with her books. Snuggle Puppy became a favorite and is now one of the most read and well-loved books on her shelf.
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Where’s the Giraffe?
Available from:Lift-the-flap books are great for kids this age, but it can be hard for them to withstand the might of an excited toddler. This ingeniously constructed book, and its sister book, Where’s the Ladybug, use felt flaps that are not only adorable, but super durable as well. Filled with Ingela P. Arrhenius’s gorgeous artwork, these books are great for gifting.
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100 First Words
Available from:This is a sturdy board book that uses photos and illustrations to teach kids one hundred words. As toddlers learn to name and identify objects, it's helpful to have books like this on hand to assist them.
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Pantone: Box of Color
Nobody knows color better than Pantone, and nobody appreciates color more than a child. With six smartly designed mini board books — each highlighting a color and the wonderful range of shades within — you can rest assured that your toddler's color education is in good hands.
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Hello, World Series
Available from:Your child can visit big cities like New York and London from the comfort of your lap. These adorably illustrated board books are fun to look at and teach your child about the great wide world.
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What are some of your favorite books to give to 1- and 2-year-olds?