Mai Little Lover is becoming a *Toddler* this month, so his reading nook needed an upgrade! I am also in the midst of giving the book studio a makeover, so this was the perfect opportunity to recreate this little reading area for Toddler.

When curating this space for him, there were several essentials I knew I had to include. I’m sharing all of our Toddler Reading Nook must-haves below. Of course, every child will have different needs and interests, so you don’t need exactly what I share to create a successful reading nook for your toddler~ but here are some ideas to get you and your littles started on their reading journey!

Forward Facing Bookshelf

There are 3 reasons I love forward-facing bookshelves for littles:

1. Children are drawn in by the pictures on the covers and can recognize and choose which books interest them.

2. This kind of shelf allows young children to choose and return a book independently.

3. Children can easily notice when new books are displayed and are curious and excited to check them out.

📚 Our forward-facing bookshelf is from Sprout Kids. Use code MAISTORYBOOK10 for 10% off any of their Montessori Furniture.

Board Books

Toddlers love exploring with their hands: wrinkling, touching, pulling, tearing, etc. Younger toddlers are also still putting everything in their mouths. Therefore, board books are an excellent choice for toddlers. The sturdy pages can withstand their *sensory exploration*! Also, board books often include interactive features such as flaps or sliders, and these are perfect for keeping toddlers engaged.

Need some board book recs? You can find some of mai favorite Board Book Lists Here

Child-Sized Furniture

Reading nooks need to be comfy and inviting, so I wanted to have child-sized furniture to create a space designed specifically for little readers. The Toki Mats Play Couch is the perfect comfy reading spot! It is soft yet firm, and I adore the little side pocket where I, or Toddler, can tuck in a book or two for easy access. And the best part: it extends into a mini day bed! With one *swooping motion*, the couch unfolds to create a comfy space for Toddler to lie down and lounge. It’s perfect for *all* of the different reading positions! Use this link for 15% off Toki.

Pillow Cubes

These pillow cubes are also from Toki Mats. They are the perfect squishy foam cubes for lounging with a book, propping up a book, or squeezing as a reading buddy! But any soft, squishy pillows would be perfect for a reading nook. (Use this link for 15% off Toki)

Reading Buddies

Reading is always fun with a friend, and Toddlers typically love snuggling with a stuffie buddy. Plus, you can encourage your toddler to “read aloud” to their reading buddy, and practice their storytelling skills. Reading buddies also encourage independent reading, as they still feel like they have a companion as they read without you right next to them.

Featured reading buddies: Piccolina Kids has a wonderful line of Trailblazer Dolls, and we have the Amelia Earhart doll. We also have a PocoKins 2-in-1 Pocket Pal Rabbit Doll. Each doll is handmade with the finest cotton and polyester fill by artisans in Peru, and includes an emotional aid pocket pal attached to the main doll.

High Interest Book

I like to choose one or two high interest books and set them out apart form the shelf, on Toddler’s play couch, to spark his interest and get him started exploring the books. Toddler currently loves buttons and sounds, so featured in this reading nook setup is the My Big Book of Nature Sounds book with plenty of buttons to press that make nature sounds. You know your littles best, so choose books that include topics they love!

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I hope you found some reading recommendations to add to your own shelves and some ideas to create your own toddler reading nook. Please comment below some of your reading nook essentials!

*~Also, I’d love to  see and hear about your own reading adventures you are having to share inclusive and diverse experiences and stories with your children, so please share your story times below in the comments. Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary or FaceBook , find me on TikTok, or contact me via email . I’d love to hear from you!~*

Plus, checkout out MaiStoryBook’s Interactive Read Aloud Video Playlist of Diverse Reads here.

*~Until Next Time, Happy Reading~*

*This post contains affiliate