There’s something so special about holding your baby in your lap, snuggled up, and reading them a book. Books become part of the daily routine, some of your babies very first memories, and reminders of your own.
Reading helps with cognitive development, builds language skills, fosters emotional connection, and can help establish a routine. The list of benefits that reading provides your child is extensive and is absolutely something that should be a priority in your child’s life!
So, whether you want to reminisce on your own childhood, build a mini library for your baby, or you’re looking for some book ideas for a friend, here are my top 20 best children’s books for the first year!
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When looking for books for your baby’s first year of life I would focus on trying to buy board books, touch-and-feel books, or interactive books with sounds! These are great for keeping them engaged and learning without having to worry about destroying the books themselves!
If you’re looking for other Baby Registry items checkout my top recommendations here.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
My son insists we read Goodnight Moon every single night before bed. I can actually quote this book word for word without looking at it (not an exaggeration).
The Goodnight Train by June Sobel
The Goodnight Train is one of my favorites! It’s colorful and engaging, with a cute little story about riding the Goodnight Train all the way to bedtime!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
A classic. I remember reading this book as a child. It has lots of fun colors and shapes! Great for visual stimulation!
Llama Llama Hide and Seek by Anna Dewdney
If given the choice, 9 times out of 10, my son will choose llama llama! It has lift up flaps all through out and the last one is a little mirror- it’s his favorite part!
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Another book I remember reading as a child! I love picking up books from my own childhood to read to my son- it feels so full circle.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
If you know, you know. This is a book I read so many times as a child! It’s simply a classic.
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
This one is so cute! An adventure of learning to dance to the beat of your own drum!
I have bought it as a gift for several other people!
Never Touch a Porcupine by Stuart Lynch
This book is short and sweet but is one of my son’s favorites for sure! It has touch and feel pictures on every page.
Who Am I? Under the Sea by Ryan Barone
Another touch and feel book!
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle
Brown Bear is also one of the books I can quote by heart from reading it so much! Its cute repetitive style is perfect for little ones!
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Eric Carle
We got this one recently and I honestly didn’t expect it to be such a favorite. It has 4-5 nursery rhymes with lift flaps on each page. My son will ask for this book to be “read” again (I sing it to him) immediately after I finish.
I Love You Like No Otter by Rose Rossner
I love the cute play on words in this book! It’s a fun, easy read that just flows so well!
I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth
A sweet story about the love you have for your baby. I love to smother my son in hugs and kisses while reading this one to him.
You’re My Little Sweet Pea by Nicola Edwards
Okay, so we don’t have this one yet. It’s a newer release, but I ordered it because the sample looked so cute!
Where Is Your Nose? by Laura Rader
My son thinks it’s hysterical when I point to or squeeze all the body parts this book teaches (like his knees). It’s a fun learning tool that you can turn into a little game!
Peek Inside Dinosaurs by Anna Milbourne
Just today, my son was sitting quietly in the corner “reading” this book. It’s one with the lift flaps which seem to be his favorite these days.
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Some of my favorite books to read to him are the ones that rhyme and flow well! Like this one!
He seems to stay more engaged that way as well.
The Busy Little Tractor by Joe Rhatigan
This one is such a cute little story!
Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden
My son loves peek-a-boo and lift flap books so this one is the perfect combo!
Amazing Animals! by Baby Einstein
With corresponding buttons that play actual animal sounds, of course he loves it! It’s a great learning tool as well!
If you’re in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia or Republic of Ireland, check out this neat program by Dolly Parton! I had never heard of it prior to having my son, but if you’re in a qualifying area then you can enroll! They send a new book every month until your child is 5 FOR FREE!
Check it out here:
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library | USA, UK, IE, CA, AU
Are you a new or postpartum mom? Check out my post 5 Tips to Have an Easy Morning with a Baby!
