Best Books for Babies

April 7, 2016 • By Stacey Maaser

While reading with our four children as babies, these have been the books that have sustained their attention, engaged them, elicited responses of laughter and delight, and that we have both loved enough to want to read over and over and over again.

Engaging Babies with Reading

When you start to read new books with babies, it might not seem like they care about them at first, but once they become familiar with the books after you have read them over and over again, they will really start to fall in love with them. Once you get a sense of what really engages your baby, you can get more books that fit that style or genre. (*Read more about how to engage your baby with reading here.)

Where I Get My Books

Usually, I love just going to garage sales and thrift stores and stocking up on whatever books that fit the genres and styles I am looking for, but by spending a few dollars here and there on Amazon, I have also worked to create a very comprehensive library of new books as well. I love storing them in baskets like these around the house so that no matter where we are sitting, there are some great books within easy reach. (Read more about how I create a stimulating learning environment here.)

1. Dr. Seuss’s ABC Book

When I started reading this ABC book to our first born, Ruby, starting at about 8-10 months old, I was blown away when she knew all of the letters by the time she was 15 months old. This has been my favorite ABC book for teaching all of my children the alphabet. This particular version is only available on Amazon used and from third party sellers, but you can buy the newer board version book here.

2. My First Touch and Feel Book: Alphabet Fun by Tiger Tales

I didn’t find this book until recently while at the grocery store, but it has quickly become a favorite! Each page has the upper case letter, a simple picture, and a simple sentence associated with the word…which I LOVE! My son Julian loves feeling the pages (especially the sticky jam), saying the letters, and helping me turn the pages. It’s not a board book, but the pages are very sturdy and it has held up well.

4. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.

This is such a classic, and it is so cute that you and your baby will love reading it over and over and over again. This is still one of Ophelia’s (2.5 years old) favorite books. She loves cuddling up on my lap and reading this book with me as I walk my fingers of the tree and shout, “Chicka, Chicka, BOOM, BOOM!” and shake the book.

5. A to Z by Sandra Boynton

I love all Sandra Boynton books, and this is no exception! It’s a quick read with multiple letters per page, and the little characters intertwined in between each letter are very cute and entertaining. I also like how each description is just two words: one noun and one action that shows what the noun is doing.

1. Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth

The raised ladybugs and the holes in the pages make it irresistible for little fingers. I have read this book over and over and over again to Julian starting when he was a few months old, and now that he is 16 months, it is his all time favorite book ever. The rhyming text makes it very predictable to say the next number. This book is only available on Amazon used through third party sellers, but I have seen it in the book section at our local grocery store as well.

2. First Numbers by Paradise Press Inc.

This book is out of print and only available used on Amazon through third party sellers, but it is a worthwhile journey to get it! Of all the number books we have in the house, this has been a favorite with every single one of our children. I love how it uses interesting images for each number and how it also shows larger numbers like 20, 50, and 100.

3. Flaptastic Colors by DK Publishing

Pretty much anything that DK publishes is gold, and this is no exception! I purchased this originally from a garage sale, but had to buy a new unripped version when my kids loved it so much! This is the type of book you want to have multiple copies of around the house! It is great for teaching little ones about colors and the interactive nature and extensive examples make it very engaging.

4. Curious Kitties: A Colors Book by Sam McKendry

The yarn that runs across each page is a true delight for babies to play with. I know it can be tempting to tell your baby, “NO!” every time they try to play with the yarn (in case they break it), but rest assured that the more they play with it, the more it will be loved, and another one can always be purchased. This particular book is only available used from third party sellers, but still very much worth it.

2. Where is Baby’s Belly Button by Karen Katz

This is currently Julian’s FAVORITE book! He even sits and reads it to himself laughing when he lifts the flaps and says, “Peek-a-boo!”. This entire series of books are extremely engaging and great at teaching basic vocabulary. Yes, some of the flaps can be ripped off and it’s not super durable, but just buy another one! It’s fairly cheap and will be highly worth any damage that can be done. 🙂

Best Books for Babies

Engaging Babies with Reading

Where I Get My Books

ABC Books

1. Dr. Seuss’s ABC Book

2. My First Touch and Feel Book: Alphabet Fun by Tiger Tales

3. The Alphabet Book by P.D. Eastman

4. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.

5. A to Z by Sandra Boynton

Number, Color, and Shape Books

1. Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth

2. First Numbers by Paradise Press Inc.

3. Flaptastic Colors by DK Publishing

4. Curious Kitties: A Colors Book by Sam McKendry

5. Shape by Shape by Suse MacDonald

Vocabulary Books

1. Baby’s First Words by Hinkler Books

2. Where is Baby’s Belly Button by Karen Katz