Our toddler daughter (18 months old) likes having books read to her. Some of them are definite favourites, to be read as often as possible, while others are the ones she likes when she’s told to go and get another book. They’re not necessarily books I would choose myself, but it’s not my taste that counts <grin>. The versions we have are mostly boardbooks, well worthwhile at this age since she often sits on the floor and looks at her books on her own, and she can turn the boardbook pages easily enough that she doesn’t get frustrated.
Her top favourites currently are We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury (Powell’s link), I Love You With All My Heart by Noris Kern (Powell’s link), and Mother, May I? by Grace Maccarone (Powell’s link).
The next bunch of books also hold her attention for a bit, but she tends not to bring them over to be read as often as the books in the first group. Sandra Boynton features heavily here, and her books are small enough that the girl can hold them while she’s being changed. They’re fun to read as well, as they lend themselves to silly voices. We have Hippos Go Berserk (Powell’s link), Barnyard Dance! (Powell’s link), and Moo Baa La La La (Powell’s link). Rounding out this are A. J. Wood’s Hubble Bubble, Cauldron Trouble (Spooky Tales) and Nina Laden’s Grow Up! (Powell’s link), where she really likes the chicken page for some reason.
Of course, by next week the favourites might be a completely different set of books.