![[For 2-year-olds] Let's read together! Recommended picture books for March](https://media.ragnet.co.jp/img/1200__png__https://www.ragnet.co.jp/files/2025/05/74e343472590d2ec67f29ea6fa957bf8.webp)
[For 2-year-olds] Let's read together! Recommended picture books for March
When children turn two, the full-fledged preparation for moving up to the preschool class begins in March.
They’ll have more opportunities to interact with friends within a group and to learn.
This time, we’re introducing picture books that are perfect for March.
With the pleasant, springlike weather, March makes you want to go out and explore.
It would be lovely if picture books could help children feel the season and enjoy the excitement of going on outings.
There are many books that work well as an introduction—for example, reading a picture book before outdoor activities.
Teachers, please join the children in feeling that excitement together.
[For 2-Year-Olds] Let’s Read Together! Featured Picture Books Recommended for March (1–10)
Various busestupera tupera
Kids who love vehicles—especially buses, since they’re so familiar—are everywhere.
For those children, we highly recommend the picture book “Iroiro Bus” (“All Kinds of Buses”).
A red bus pulls up, and off steps a bright red tomato.
And who gets on next? An octopus! With lots of passengers on board, the bus finally arrives at the last stop.
The ending is sure to be a hit.
The artwork is incredibly striking, making it a book that kids won’t be able to look away from.
Hinamatsuri for everyone!Yuichi Kimura
When you think of March, it’s Hinamatsuri, the Doll Festival, isn’t it? The picture book “Let’s Make Dolls Together!” is an interactive pop-up book that children can enjoy reading.
Little bear Mā makes a big Hina doll, but it gets blown away by the wind.
Then little bear Kū comes along and gets a great idea for how to make a wonderful Hina doll.
What kind of Hina doll will they create? Through this book, I hope children will feel closer to the Doll Festival.
Please give it a read!
Toothbrushing train, ready to depart!Kubo Machiko
March is just before children move up a grade, so I think many preschools are starting preparations for transitioning to the 3-year-old class.
When children move into the preschool classes, many schools also introduce toothbrushing.
“All Aboard the Toothbrushing Train!” is a wonderful picture book we’d love children who struggle with brushing their teeth to read.
The Toothbrushing Train comes to visit Takkun, the main character who hates brushing his teeth.
What kind of amazing things will the Toothbrushing Train do? It’s a book we highly recommend for children who have a hard time getting their toothbrushing done at home.
Tradeies, tradeies.Junko Fukuda
Here’s an introduction to “Torikaekko Torikaekko,” a picture book brimming with humor right from the cover.
It’s an adorable story featuring Apple-chan, Mikan-kun, and Banana-san, where the fruits treat their peels like clothing—putting them on and taking them off.
It’s a perfect book to encourage the wonderful desire of two-year-olds to try dressing and undressing by themselves.
While adults might be able to guess what will happen next, children will find the surprises hilarious and laugh out loud.
Be sure to give it a read!
Te arā Īmo uga ĪmoAya Watanabe
From the hugely popular “Vegetable Life” picture book series for children, here’s an introduction to the delightfully titled “Te-ara-IMO Uga-IMO.” Handwashing and gargling are very important daily habits.
But kids might skip them because they’re eager to play or find washing a hassle.
At times like that, why not read this picture book first and then try washing and gargling? It’s packed with catchy, rhythmic phrases that kids will want to sing along to.
If everyone hums along while washing their hands, it’s sure to make the routine more fun.
The Mouse’s Long BreadHiroshi Tada
“Mr.
Mouse’s Long Bread” is part of a series and a very popular book among children.
On the cover, a tiny mouse is carrying a loaf of bread many times bigger than himself.
Where could he be headed with such a long loaf? Along the way, we see mealtime scenes from different animal families, prompting children to ask questions like, “What is the lion eating?” and “Who will eat the bread?” The world of the picture book keeps expanding in their minds.
It’s a story you’ll want to read over and over—be sure to give it a try.
Fluffy SakuraText: Naoko Higashi / Illustrations: Tatsuro Kimura
Here is an introduction to the picture book “Howa-Howa Sakura.” It beautifully expresses, in lovely words, the way cherry blossom petals flutter and fall.
Perhaps this is how the sound and sight of falling petals reach children’s ears and eyes.
The pink that spreads across the pages seems to capture the excitement for the coming spring.
It’s a wonderful book that makes you want to read it aloud—please give it a try.
And after you finish, let’s all head out to go meet the cherry blossoms!