15 Engaging Penguin Books for Toddlers

This winter, stock your book basket with penguin books for toddlers. These board books are perfect for your youngest listeners.

Board books are perfect for reading to toddlers. Their thick sturdy pages are designed to withstand little hands (and mouths). They are often full of bright pictures and short sentences that are sure to engage even your wiggliest kiddos.

penguin books for toddlers

Below, I’ve featured just a handful of board books that will spark your toddlers interest in penguins, snow, and winter weather.

You should be able to find them at your local library or book store. If you can’t find them locally, you can click each image cover to purchase them on Amazon.

For your convenience, I’ve created a printable list of penguin board books that you can take to your library. I hope you find it helpful.

Penguin Problems – This penguin has come to tell you that life in Antarctica is no paradise. For starters, it is FREEZING. Also, penguins have a ton of natural predators. Plus, can you imagine trying to find your mom in a big ol’ crowd of identical penguins? No, thank you.

Tacky the Penguin – Tacky’s perfect friends find him annoying until his odd behavior saves the day.

Baby Penguins Everywhere! – One day a penguin sees a most unusual sight: a hat floating in the icy water. Even more unusual? Out of the hat pops a baby penguin. But not just one baby penguin . . . or even two. But a third, and a fourth, and on and on!

Baby Penguins Love Their Mama! – When you’re a mama penguin with lots (and lots) of little ones to take care of, the days can melt together in a blur. Monday: swimming lessons. Tuesday: sliding. Wednesday: waddling. And on and on. Mama loves her babies so much. Do they know, she wonders, just how much?

That’s Not My Penguin… – Young readers may touch various surfaces on penguins that are not the one someone is looking for, until at last the right one appears.

Peek-a-Boo, Penguin – Peek-a-Boo, Penguin! What are you up to today? Explore with our little penguin friend through this book with peek-a-boo holes and sweet illustrations.

Penguin Says “Please” – Penguin learns to say please in different situations throughout this sturdy board book. With simple text and vibrant photos, this is an excellent way to start teaching manners.

Little Penguin Finger Puppet Book – Little Penguin and friends play hide-and-seek on the ice, and invite the smallest readers to play, too!

Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups – Poor Little Penguin has a major case of the—HIC!—hiccups. It all started last week, on chili night. Since then he’s tried everything to get rid of them, but nothing—HIC!—works. Can you help Little Penguin—HIC!—cure his hiccups?

Little Penguin – Touch-and-feel textures help develop children’s sensory awareness, and the gentle rhymes are ideal for adults and children to read and share together.

Kisses and Cuddles – A little penguin loves to do many things during his fun day, but nothing beats getting kisses and cuddles from his mama!

Baby Penguin Finger Puppet Book – Meet Baby Penguin! How does Baby Penguin stay cozy and warm? Where does Baby Penguin play? Follow along as she experiences her world, from playtime to bedtime.

Penguin’s Christmas Wish – Penguin can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with his family and friends. But when things don’t go exactly as planned, Penguin learns to find holiday magic in the most unexpected places.

Your Personal Penguin – Your Personal Penguin is an irrepressible, read-aloud, listen-along favorite for young children and the grown-ups who read to them. Fun to hold, the book tells the story of a slightly bewildered hippo and the loyal penguin who wants nothing more than to be his pal.

Penguin and Pinecone – When curious little Penguin finds a lost pinecone in the snow, their friendship grows into something extraordinary! But Grandpa reminds Penguin that pinecones can’t live in the snow–they belong in the warm forest far away. Can Penguin help Pinecone get home? And can they stay friends, even if they’re miles apart?

Which of these books about penguins will you read first?

Round Out Your Unit with These Activities

These baby penguin peg dolls are just the cutest! They are adorable on their own, and small enough to tuck in a pocket- who doesn’t need a baby pocket penguin?!?

Preschoolers will love counting with five Christmas penguins! These preschool counting mats are great practice for early math fun.

We love studying penguins in the winter! If you do, too, you HAVE to check out this great list of hands-on penguin activities for kids!