Top Picks: Books for 3 Year Olds

I've gathered a list of our favorite children's books... books with witty illustrations, vivid imagery, patterns, life's details, books that inspire kids to think creatively and logically. Many of the books described in Top Picks: Books for 1-2 Year Olds are great for 3 year olds as well!

Stella, Queen of the Snow. The illustrations are lush, detailed and whimsical. Vivid colorful drawings of poetic Stella and her reluctant brother Sam. There are four books in the Stella series, and a few in the Sam series. All good. A perfect gift for 3rd or 4th birthday.

Olivia - First and favorite in the series of Olivia books, a slice of Olivia's daily life and her antics. I've heard Olivia described as "Eloise, but as a pig."

Corduroy - Lovely story of a sweet, playful stuffed bear living in a department store and a kind girl named Lisa. My daughters always giggled at Corduroy's anitics and fell in love with this little bear. In A Pocket for Corduroy Corduroy gets lost in a laundromat and has an adventure. Note ~ there are just a few Corduroy books by Don Freeman, the newer books attempt to copy the style but lack the sense of wonder and genuine warmth.

If You Give a Moose a Muffin - The illustrations breathe life into the story of a rather large moose and a little boy. Like "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," the story logically goes full circle.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs - Great to read to children of various ages, as each gets something different out of it. Food rains from the sky and the havoc begins. The illustrations are amazingly detailed and expand upon the story.

Oh, the Places You'll Go! - Dr. Seuss classic with marvelous illustrations and a zest for the amazing things life has to offer.

Check out the other book recommendations in the Children's Books category!