Alphabet Books for Toddlers

"I Spy" books are lots of fun for older kids.  They're full of complex pictures where you must find specified objects hidden in a mass of other things.  For younger kids, this book is a great introduction to that concept.  The authors have placed letters among just a few other objects on the page, so finding them is a task that is at just the right developmental level for your toddler.  In addition, this book incorporates the use of rhyme which toddlers both learn from and love.  ISBN: 9780439114967.

You can't find Maisy on Nick Jr. any more, but luckily qubo airs it twice daily. The best part about this cartoon mouse wasn't the show, however.  It was always the books.  They're full of bright colors and simple language and concepts that keep toddlers interested read after read after read.  This one adds a fine motor element to learning letters: It's a lift-the-flap book.  It's also got something I love to see in an alphabet book: both upper and lower case forms of each letter.  ISBN: 9780763640941.

I say it all the time: Food is a great way to teach toddlers about nearly everything.  It's something they wholly relate to and learning letters through food is a natural.  The illustrations in this book are big, bold, colorful and appealing to toddlers and adults alike.  Letters are in upper and lower case and rhyming is used throughout the book.  Your child won't just be learning about letters, though.  She might even learn about a few new foods like jicama and kohlrabi.  It might inspire you to add a few new ingredients to your pantry to reinforce her learning. ISBN: 9780152056889.

That Dr. Seuss can be a bit wordy, can't he?  And that's a good thing when you've got an older child, but when you have a toddler, too many words can make her lose interest fast.  That's why this book is so great.  It's a pared down, board book version of the same ABC book you probably remember from your own childhood.  And while it's been made simpler, it still holds all the same learning potential for your child.  ISBN: 9780679882817.

This book is nothing short of amazing.  Each letter stands out (hence, 3D in the title) and then transforms into the next letter.  Until your toddler is older, though, it's probably one you'll always want to read together as it can be a bit fragile.  But look at it this way: You'll be teaching your child the alphabet, exposing her to a work of art and teaching her how to respect and take care of books all at the same time.  If you have a hands-on, kinesthetic learner, this book is the way to learn letters for sure.  ISBN: 9781596434257.