Tools for the Terrible Twos
There are so many things for two-year-olds to process as they get really mobile and opinionated! Fortunately, reading about issues when safely snuggled in a parent's lap gives them a framework they can use when emotions get the better of them. All of the books on this list weren't just fun to read, but have helped my boys recognize the feelings they experience and have given them the vocabulary to deal with it... eventually. I also recommend Lisa Patricelli's board books, which are funny as well as topical; take a look at the board book section at your local branch to find those.
Learning manners starts very early, and Antony does a wonderful job of showing courtesy in this story.
I needed a Kleenex for this one. Whether your child might lose a pet or someone else in their life, this message is a good one for understanding how life goes on.
A fun story in rhyme for any little one who wants to do everything but sleep. Czajak has more titles with Monster as well.
One of the first of the Llama Llama books, I thought "Mad at Mama" was nicely cathartic for parents feeling like they always have to be a "meanie."
Ford has a whole series of adorable animals dealing with the natural consequences of their actions, and this is one we have in regular rotation at our house.
It was pretty alarming seeing how much my kids struggled with overwhelming emotions for the first time! Hooks looks at those feelings in a calm and interesting way.
This book gave me all the feels. It's very cute and shows a lot of positivity in welcoming a new brother home.
Simple illustrations and words definitely helped my older son start thinking differently about his binky.
Wonderfully cute rhyming text and bold and beautiful illustrations by Molly Idle have made this a favorite at our house.
Yolen's dinosaur series is excellent, but I appreciated this one because non-cheesy safety books are especially hard to find. The one about treating pets nicely was also much used at our house.