Crocodiles Need Kisses Too
by Rebecca Colby
warm, funny, and absolutely irresistible for the toddler who loves affection and silliness
April 5, 2026
5 Picture Books for 3-Year-Olds
If you have a 3-year-old and you're not sure what to read next, save this post.
View this post on Instagram →These are the books featured in this post — tap any cover to find it on Amazon.
The Storm Whale
by Benji Davies
The stunning bestseller by Benji Davies, winner of the inaugural Oscar's First Book Prize. Noi and his father live in a house by the sea, his father works hard as a fisherman and Noi often has only their six cats for company. So when, one day, he finds a baby whale washed up on the beach after a storm, Noi is excited and takes it home to care for it. He tries to keep his new friend a secret, but there's only so long you can keep a whale in the bath without your dad finding out. Noi is eventually persuaded that the whale has to go back to the sea where it belongs. For Noi, even though he can't keep it, the arrival of the whale changes his life for the better - the perfect gift from one friend to another. 'A future classic and a must have for the discerning picture book fan' The Booksniffer 'The Storm Whale is an evocative portrayal of a child's need for friendship, told through the sparest of text and imagery in this beautiful picture book' The ReadingZone 'The Storm Whale is one of those rare picture books that evokes loneliness with such fragility, and that conveys such feeling and beauty that it cannot fail to move its readers… an absolute gem, do not miss out' Library Mice 'I have to admit that I was fighting back tears by the end. It's just so incredibly sweet and really pulls the heart strings!' Being Mrs C 'Charming and engaging this book gives lots of scope for child to adult discussion about feeling lonely and saying goodbye to something loved' Love All Blogs 'Poignant, sensitive and understated […] this is a not to be missed tale where the narrative thrust and emotional span transcends the simplicity of its words' Droplets of Ink Other books from the World of the Storm Whale: The Storm Whale in Winter Grandma Bird *NEW* The Great Storm Whale Also by Benji Davies: Grandad's Island On Sudden Hill, written by Linda Sarah When the Dragons Came, written by Naomi Kefford and Lynne Moore Jump on Board the Animal Train, written by Naomi Kefford and Lynne Moore
A Sick Day for Amos McGee
by Philip C. Stead
Zookeeper Amos McGee always makes time to visit his friends who live at the zoo until the day he stays home because he is sick.
There's a Tiger in the Garden
by Lizzy Stewart
Nora refuses to believe outlandish tales of dragonflies as big as birds, grumpy polar bears, or a magnificent tiger all allegedly residing in Grandma's garden. Nora's too old for silly games. But this charming debut picture book proves one is never too young or too old to dream. Full color.
A Visitor for Bear
by Bonny Becker
"A Visitor for Bear has the feel of a classic, and it’s so cozy no parent could object to reading it aloud every night." — The New York Times Book Review (starred review) Features an audio read-along! Bear is quite sure he doesn’t like visitors. He even has a sign. So when a mouse taps on his door one day, Bear tells him to leave. But the mouse — who keeps popping up in the most unexpected places — just won’t go away! Cheery persistence wears down the curmudgeonly Bear in a wry comedy of manners that ends in a most unlikely friendship.
As an Amazon Associate, XO Your Book Fairy earns from qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org links may also earn a commission.