Usborne Books for Toddlers: Which Picks Do Parents Love?
Published:
July 19, 2025
Contributor:
Sarah Shelton
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
Introducing books at a young age is one of the best ways to help kids learn and grow. Toddlers love stories, bright pictures, and interactive elements they can touch and explore. If you are searching for children’s books that keep little ones engaged during homeschool, quiet time, or travel, you will love this hand picked list of the best Usborne books for toddlers – now available through PaperPie.
Quick Note for U.S. Families: Usborne Books & More is Now PaperPie
Usborne Books & More has rebranded as PaperPie in the United States. It is the same trusted company that continues to offer high quality Usborne Publishing and Kane Miller titles (plus additional learning lines). The books parents already love have not changed. You can still count on sturdy pages, bright illustrations, and playful, memorable stories that hold up to toddler use.
If you shop through a Brand Partner, they can help you pick age appropriate titles or host a book party. You can also order directly from the PaperPie site.
How to Choose Toddler Friendly Usborne / PaperPie Books
When shopping for toddlers, think about three things: durability, interactivity, and short repeatable text. Board pages survive chewing and enthusiastic turns. Textures, sliders, flaps, water reveal areas, and sound buttons invite hands on play that builds language and fine motor skills. Short repetitive phrasing lets very young children “read” along with you and strengthens early speech.
Age tips: Many baby and toddler titles list suggested ages (3 months+, 6 months+, 1+, or 3+). Use these as gentle guides. Interest level and supervision matter more than the number. Most of the books below span babyhood through preschool with help from an adult or older sibling.
My Tried-and-True Toddler Book Picks
I loved purchasing these books for my children when they were small. My children are all older teens now, and we still have many of these books that I will be saving for grandchildren one day! These are some of our absolute favorite books for toddlers that your little ones will want to read again and again.
That’s Not My… Board Books Series
That’s Not My… Board Book Series is an interactive book which is a toddler favorite. Each story features touchy-feely textures and bright pictures, to help them learn to describe words. From a baby elephant with wiggly elephant trunks to dinosaurs and unicorns, these are the perfect book picks for sensory exploration.
Why you will love it: Repetitive text supports language development. Large textured patches invite sensory play. The sturdy board format stands up to toddler hands. There are dozens of themed titles so you can match a child’s favorite animal, vehicle, or season.
Try these on Amazon: That’s Not My Puppy, That’s Not My Dinosaur, That’s Not My Unicorn.
Kane Miller Picture Books
Kane Miller Picture Books are colorful, engaging stories made for kids ages 3 and up. They have beautiful illustrations, gentle rhyming text, and messages that connect with little learners. While many Kane Miller titles shine with preschoolers, a few work beautifully with toddlers too – especially when you read aloud and invite participation.
Do not miss: All Better! Five accident prone animal friends need help. Children clean the boo boo, say “kiss it,” and place the matching reusable bandage sticker to make it all better. Toddlers practice color matching, empathy, fine motor skills, and following a simple routine. Reusable vinyl bandages store right in the front of the book so it is always ready to play again.
Lift the Flap Series
The Lift the Flap Series are classic flap books full of surprises! Kids lift the flaps to discover animals, solve problems, or learn facts. With beautiful illustrations and a focus on learning through play, they’re a perfect book for little ones.
Age fit: For younger toddlers, start with Peek Inside titles (fewer, larger flaps). As your child grows, move into Look Inside and full Lift the Flap nonfiction for deeper exploration.
Skill boost: Fine motor strength, early prediction (what is under the flap?), and topic vocabulary – animals, vehicles, colors, everyday life.
Shine a Light Books
The Shine A Light Series are wonderful books that use a flashlight to uncover hidden pictures behind the page, creating a magical, interactive book experience. My kids absolutely adored these books! They are great for kids to use to wind down at the end of their busy day.
Why you will love it: Built in curiosity hook keeps wiggly toddlers engaged. Encourages parent child interaction. Gentle pacing helps little bodies settle for sleep.
Try these on Amazon: Secrets of the Rain Forest, Backyard Bugs, On the Farm
Water Wonder Books
Water Wonder Books are interactive books that are reusable and mess-free, offering so much fun for toddlers. Add water with the special brush, and watch the colors appear like magic and disappear as the page dries. It’s a perfect book for car rides, church, or screen-free time.
Extra learning: Early brush control, color recognition, focus, and hand eye coordination.
Try these on Amazon: Water Wonders in the Jungle, Water Wonders Christmas
Sort and Play Books
These Sort and Play Books come with felt pieces that kids can move around and sort. Great for developing fine motor skills, color and shape recognition. These busy books make wonderful gifts for toddlers.
Resuable tip: Remember to store small pieces in a zip pouch when not in use.
Nibbles Books
Nibbles is a silly book monster who literally chomps his way through books! This hilarious interactive book has cut-outs, flaps, and stories inside stories. Kids love following Nibbles as he escapes into fairy tales, leaving bite marks and chaos behind. It’s a laugh-out-loud favorite that makes reading feel like a fun adventure.
Heads up: Because the pages include die cut holes, these hold up best with older toddlers who have a little more book care practice or when read with close supervision.
Touchy Feely Sounds: Don’t Tickle The Books
The Touchy Feely Sounds Books feature touchy-feely textures paired with silly animal sounds. Kids “tickle” each animal and hear a fun noise—then enjoy a musical surprise at the end. Thick tabs make page turning easier for little hands.
Great for tummy time play (with supervision), language development, and cause and effect learning.
Try these on Amazon: Don’t Tickle the Tiger, Don’t Tickle the Dinosaur
Toddler Skills Snapshot: Which Usborne Books for Toddlers Fit Your Child?
Use this quick chart to pick the right fit for your child’s age, interests, and situation.
| Series | Suggested Age* | What Kids Do | Skills Gained | Travel Friendly? | Reusable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| That’s Not My… | 9m–3y | Touch textured patches; repeat simple phrase | Sensory language; texture words | ✅ | Read again |
| Kane Miller: All Better! | 2y+ | Match reusable bandages | Color match; empathy; fine motor | ✅ | ✅ |
| Peek / Lift the Flap | 1y+ | Lift flaps to discover images | Fine motor; prediction; early facts | Moderate (protect flaps) | Read again |
| Shine a Light | 3y+ w/help | Shine light to reveal image | Curiosity; comprehension; joint attention | ✅ (needs light) | Read again |
| Water Wonder | 2y+ | Brush with water to reveal color | Brush control; color; focus | ✅ Excellent | ✅ (dries) |
| Sort & Play | 2y+ | Place felt pieces; sort | Sorting; colors; motor planning | Good (bag pieces) | Pieces reusable |
| Nibbles | 3y+ w/help | Follow cutout trail | Story sequence; humor; engagement | Good (supervise) | Read again |
| Don’t Tickle Sound | 6m+ | Touch patch to trigger sound | Cause/effect; sensory | ✅ | Battery module |
Where to Buy Usborne / PaperPie Toddler Books
In the United States you can purchase new Usborne Publishing and Kane Miller titles through PaperPie. Order directly online or through a Brand Partner who can help you build a custom toddler bundle, earn host rewards, or preview seasonal releases.
Budget tip: Popular series like That’s Not My…, All Better!, and Don’t Tickle often show up gently used at library sales, kids’ consignments, or local homeschool swap groups. Always check textures, flaps, sliders, and sound modules before buying used. Amazon is another great place to look for used Usborne books in great condition
FAQ: Usborne Books for Toddlers
- Are Usborne books good for toddlers?
Yes. Many titles are built with thick board pages, interactive textures, flaps, sliders, water reveal ink, or sound buttons that invite hands on learning. - What Usborne books for toddlers are best for 1 to 3 year olds?
Parent favorites include That’s Not My…, Peek Inside (or Lift the Flap), Don’t Tickle sound books, Water Wonder reusable painting, All Better! with reusable bandages, and Baby’s Very First Slide and See. - How do Shine a Light books work?
Read the spread, then shine a flashlight (or phone light) from behind the page to reveal a hidden picture that continues the story.
Final Thoughts
These toddler-friendly books are a fun way to spark curiosity, build vocabulary, and develop a lifelong love of reading. Whether you’re building your homeschool library or shopping for the perfect birthday gift, these books offer something special for every little learner.
Be sure to bookmark this list of book recommendations to come back to again and again as your child grows!
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Sarah Shelton
Sarah is a wife, daughter of the King and Mama to 4 children (two homeschool graduates) She is a an eclectic, Charlotte Mason style homeschooler that has been homeschooling for over 20 years. She is still trying to find the balance between work and keeping a home and gardens. She can only do it by the Grace of God, coffee and green juice!
