Top 11 Highly-Rated Parenting Books for Toddlers You Need to Read

As a couples therapist, I often work with parents who are looking for guidance on how to navigate the ups and downs of raising toddlers. I'm often asked about the best parenting books for the toddler set. During this stage is a great time to go back to the books (like you probably did during the baby phase) because this is when actual strategies for parenting toddlers will save you. Otherwise, we often fall back to the way we were parent or yelling, bribing, threatening, etc. Instead, let the experts help you out with these helpful resources.

There are countless parenting books out there, but here are some highly-rated ones that I often recommend to my clients:

• "How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7" by Joanna Faber and Julie King - This book offers practical strategies for communicating with young children in a way that is respectful and effective.
• "No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame" by Janet Lansbury - This book challenges traditional approaches to discipline and offers a compassionate, respectful approach to setting boundaries with toddlers.
• "Positive Discipline: The First Three Years: From Infant to Toddler--Laying the Foundation for Raising a Capable, Confident Child" by Jane Nelsen, Cheryl Erwin, and Roslyn Ann Duffy - This book is a comprehensive guide to positive discipline techniques that can be used with young children.
• "The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson - This book explains how the brain develops in young children and offers strategies for supporting healthy cognitive and emotional development.
• "No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. This book teaches parents how to discipline their children in a way that promotes emotional development and positive behavior. The authors use cutting-edge research to offer effective strategies for managing difficult situations and building strong relationships with your child.
• "Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids" by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross - This book encourages parents to simplify their lives and their children's lives in order to create a more peaceful, connected family environment.
• "Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility" by Foster Cline and Jim Fay - This book offers a structured approach to parenting that emphasizes logical consequences and encourages children to take responsibility for their actions.
• "Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting" by Dr. Laura Markham - This book offers strategies for staying calm and connected with your child even in the midst of challenging behavior.
• "The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being" by Simone Davies - This book draws on the Montessori philosophy to offer practical advice for supporting your toddler's development.
• "How to Raise a Reader" by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo - This book offers tips and advice for fostering a love of reading in your child from a young age.
• "The Artful Parent: Simple Ways to Fill Your Family's Life with Art and Creativity" by Jean Van't Hul - This book offers inspiration and ideas for incorporating art and creativity into your family's life.