Parenting Kindly

Books are a big part of a Montessori home, but not just any books. In Montessori, we focus on realistic, age-appropriate, and beautifully illustrated stories that spark curiosity and help toddlers feel confident in their world.

The right books can support early language development, build emotional understanding, and even teach life skills, all while respecting your child’s natural desire to learn.

Here are the best Montessori books for toddlers in 2025, curated with love, learning, and independence in mind.

1. “Global Babies” by The Global Fund for Children

A simple, powerful book filled with real photographs of babies around the world, perfect for introducing diversity and global awareness at a young age.

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Why it’s great:

• Real photos, not cartoons
• Promotes connection and empathy
• Just the right length for short attention spans

2. “First 100 Words” by Roger Priddy

A Montessori classic! This board book uses real images instead of illustrations to help toddlers connect words to the real world around them.

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Perfect for:

• Building vocabulary
• Self-led learning
• Book baskets or shelf rotations

3. “From Head to Toe” by Eric Carle

While Montessori usually avoids fantasy, this book encourages movement and imitation — making it a great pick for active toddlers learning about their bodies.

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Bonus: Toddlers can read along and move their bodies just like the animals — boosting both gross motor and language skills.

4. “All By Myself” by Mercer Mayer

A gentle story that celebrates independence — a key Montessori value. Your toddler will love watching Little Critter button his shirt, brush his teeth, and pour his own juice (even if he spills!).

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Why Montessori families love it:

• Shows real-life tasks toddlers can relate to
• Encourages confidence and self-help

5. “Whose Tools?” by Toni Buzzeo

This board book is great for introducing real-world occupations. With flaps to lift and tool names to learn, it supports practical life learning in a fun, interactive way.

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Ideal for curious toddlers who love to mimic adults and understand how things work.

6. “I Can Do It Myself” by Stephen Krensky

Montessori-aligned from the title alone! This book encourages children to try simple tasks independently — brushing teeth, getting dressed, pouring water.

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Pair it with: A toddler self-care station or step stool to encourage practice after reading.

7. “Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering!” by Ruth Spiro

This STEM board book series uses real scientific concepts in toddler-friendly language. Great for Montessori homes that lean toward real-life, factual content.

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Also available in themes like coding, gravity, and quantum physics — all simplified for toddlers!

8. “How Do You Feel?” by Lizzy Rockwell

Helps toddlers explore emotions through realistic situations and expressions — key for Montessori social-emotional development.

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Why it’s Montessori-friendly:

• No overdone cartoon faces
• Encourages empathy and emotional awareness

Tips for Creating a Montessori-Friendly Book Shelf:

• Choose fewer books, displayed face out
• Rotate books regularly to keep interest high
• Stick to realistic stories and nonfiction themes
• Let your toddler choose what to read!

Final Thoughts

The best Montessori books for toddlers are simple, real, and empowering. Whether it’s learning new words, naming emotions, or doing things “all by myself,” these books help toddlers build confidence and curiosity — one page at a time.

You don’t need a huge collection. Just a few thoughtful, well-chosen books can create a meaningful reading routine at home.

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