[For 2-year-olds] Let's read together! Recommended picture books for March

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

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.

[Age 2] Let’s Read Together! Recommended Picture Books for March (11–20)

Zou-kun’s WalkText and illustrations: Hirotaka Nakano / Lettering: Masataka Nakano

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Zou-kun the elephant goes out for a walk.

When he meets Kaba-kun the hippo, Kaba-kun climbs onto Zou-kun’s back.

As they keep walking, this time they meet Wani-kun the crocodile…

The animals they meet along the way one after another climb onto Zou-kun’s back.

The sight of the stacked-up animals walking along is irresistibly humorous.

It overlaps with the way children look when they’re playing and horsing around together.

In the end, they all tumble into a pond.

It may look like a simple picture book, but it’s an utterly charming story.

You can just imagine children staring intently at its pages.

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So it’s a bus, huh.Text: Hirotaka Nakagawa / Illustrations: 100% ORANGE

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Children’s imaginations amaze us every day, don’t they? Two-year-olds in particular are at a stage where their interactions with people around them really flourish.

“Basunanone” (It’s a Bus), which we highly recommend for two-year-olds, is a story about a boy who pretends a chair is a bus.

It conveys, to the fullest, the freedom and joy of pretend play.

Children will be thrilled and excited as they imagine how the story unfolds.

After you finish reading, a bus pretend-play session might just start in the room.

It’s a wonderful picture book that will make the teacher reading it aloud smile and have fun, too.

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dennyaText: Kenta Otsuka / Illustrations: Keiko Shibata

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Den-nya, a cat that transforms into a train, was created by the duo Kenta Otsuka and Keiko Shibata, famous for the “Tobimasen” series.

Den-nya is wonderfully free—stopping for breaks along the way or even going a bit out of control! And that’s exactly what captivates two-year-olds.

Whatever they feel and however they behave, it’s all okay.

Teachers might find themselves reading it while picturing children’s uninhibited, lively spirits.

It’s a charming picture book that kids will want to read again and again.

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Quail-chan’s Hide-and-SeekKimo to Momoko

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Uzura-chan and Hiyoko-chan’s playful back-and-forth makes “Uzura-chan’s Hide-and-Seek” a delight.

It’s the perfect picture book for two-year-olds who are getting into hide-and-seek.

Within the gentle, soft-colored illustrations, you’ll find a variety of motifs and creatures.

The exchanges like “Ready yet?” and “Not yet!” are heartwarming, too.

The story unfolds slowly and soothingly, so it’s great for reading again and again.

It’s also recommended as an introduction to playing hide-and-seek together with a two-year-old.

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tumbling over and overblack dog

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In many two-year-old classes, simple exercises are often introduced from winter to spring, tailored to the children’s ages.

Activities like somersaults and balance beams are great opportunities for children to learn how to control their bodies on their own.

In “Denguri Denguri,” animals such as cats and rabbits do somersaults together with the main character, Ken-chan.

Children will surely want to imitate them.

Why not incorporate this book into your childcare setting as one that will spark children’s interest?

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Ao-kun and Kiiro-chanLeo Lionni

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Little Blue and Little Yellow, a picture book by Leo Lionni, famous for Swimmy.

At first glance it seems like a curious book expressed with simple colors and shapes, but it’s actually incredibly profound.

Little Blue and Little Yellow are friends.

They’re so close that when they hug… they turn green! But when they’re green, their mom and dad don’t recognize them.

What will the two of them do? Children will surely empathize with Little Blue and Little Yellow’s feelings.

It’s a book that offers a chance to notice things about color and about the kindness of family.

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