Must-Have Books for 3-Year-Olds

A delightful and prolific series, Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama is a reader favorite. The magic began back in 2005 with Llama Llama Red Pajama, a rhyming read-aloud that finds young Llama Llama feeling nervous about falling asleep by himself — and Mama Llama coming to the rescue. This extra-special edition includes a CD audio recording of Dewdney reading the story, bonus Llama Llama tales, and even a keepsake print. It’s the perfect place to start with the beloved series, or an exciting new addition to your collection.

Mayer’s Little Critter has become one of the most enduringly popular characters in the children’s book world. Funny and relatable, little ones easily see themselves in Critter’s many adventures growing up. This particular story relates to kids who want to do everything without help from their parents. Sound like any three-year-olds you know? From buttoning his overalls to tying his shoes, Critter is determined to do it all by himself. The one thing he can’t do on his own just yet? Read a bedtime story. Aw!

An absolute classic since it was first published in 1930, The Little Engine That Could is still charming readers worldwide. We love this 90th anniversary edition, which features illustrations by Caldecott Medal winner Dan Santat and an introduction by Dolly Parton. It pays homage to the original illustrations while adding even more life and cheerful triumph to the timeless story of perseverance.

This silly book about, you guessed it, dragons that love tacos (and parties!), is a huge hit with the preschool set. The illustrations are entertaining and include subtle jokes that are fun to find as the storyline becomes more familiar.

If it’s been a while since you read The Story of Ferdinand, prepare to be won over again. Ferdinand isn’t like the other bulls — he prefers smelling flowers to locking horns – so what’s he to do when expected to fight? The story’s message of nonviolence made it a favorite of Gandhi’s, and it’s also a valuable entry point for discussing themes of masculinity with young boys and girls.

This was a book I remembered reading as a preschooler, so I trotted out my old copy when my son became vehicle-obsessed. But even if cars and trucks don’t rev your three-year-old’s engines, the hunt for Goldbug in each scene (each page is a busy burst of activity in Scarry’s magnificent style) will have them eager to explore.

This sweet and whimsical picture book is an ode to the many bright possibilities children’s futures hold, and a reminder that their parents will always love them – no matter which direction their compass guides them. With simple, rhythmic text and gorgeous oil-painting illustrations, The Wonderful Things You Will Be impresses upon children that they are worthy of love and that it’s their inner qualities that matter most. Pair it with the companion growth chart to keep the positivity flowing.

I’ll admit this one probably isn’t going to win any awards for plot, but there’s something about it that hits the three-year-old sweet spot. Go, Dog. Go! has great repetition and rhythm, and was always a reliable pre-naptime read in our house.

A fun twist on the bedtime story, Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? transports readers to construction sites, fire stations, and beyond, where bedtime looks quite familiar: while young dump trucks, fire engines, and other vehicles try their best to delay the inevitable, mommies and daddies tuck in their kiddos for a night of sweet dreams.

Three is a good age to be introduced to the concept of suspense, and it’s also a prime age for spending some time on Sesame Street. This Little Golden Book classic predates Elmo and Abby, featuring our old pal Grover panicking with each turn of the page. It’s entertaining to read, and shows children that books were “interactive” long before kid games existed on the iPad.

Richard Scarry’s beloved, fun-filled universe is a surefire hit for little readers, and his Best Word Book Ever is especially ideal for vocab-building three-year-olds. All throughout Busytown, characters are getting ready for their days, starting art projects, and jetting off to the playground. There are so many words to express their activities and the objects they encounter! This colorful compendium will do wonders for your toddler’s verbal skills.

Ooh, I don’t want to spoil The Gruffalo if you haven’t read it, because it’s kids’ storytelling at its finest. The wonderfully rhymed tale of a mouse who invents a fearsome creature called the Gruffalo to ward off enemies is both amusing and a marvelous lesson in quick-thinking and imagination.

Charmed by the illustrations, my son chose this read as a vacation souvenir from City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco. The story of a boy who eats books — and gets smarter as a result — quickly became my son’s most-read picture book, causing us to seek out Jeffers’s other picture books. As a book-loving mama, you can imagine my heart-leaping delight when I overheard my son tell friends at a bookstore that Oliver Jeffers is his favorite author. So, as you seek books for your child at any age, I mostly recommend letting them lead the way!