Where do you start when trying to create a baby’s first library?
I talked about before the importance of reading to your newborn baby, but what should you read? There are so many options and books out there that it can get overwhelming. For this reason, I have compiled a list of my favorite recommended books, combined with Amazon’s best sellers and favorites from a literacy teacher. Follow this list and you will create the best baby’s first library. From classic must-haves to new and innovative books plus hidden gems I have found along the way you will have a library all will envy.
During the first year, I think I have bought more books than diapers. That’s how much my love of books has come to life. Some books were a hit while others were a fail. Let’s ignore the fail and let’s talk about the good ones.
This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy using my link I get a percentage of the sale. I only share what I really like and think you will find value
From Head to Toe
Before I was pregnant I remember my nephews reading this book and making all kinds of movements and noises as the followed along the book – and I loved it! Now, I get to do it with Manny and is still one of my favorite books of all time.
“A colorful and energetic board book that will have young readers clapping their hands, stomping their feet, and wiggling their toes!”
That’s Not My Zebra’s Colors
Colors, bold colors. Babies love simple images with contrasting colors. This book not only has that but the story is super cute.
Zebra wishes she wasn’t black and white. Follow her in this colorful board book, as she meets a pink flamingo, a green crocodile, an orange giraffe, and a blue parrot, and imagines what it would be like if her stripes were the same color as them.
Moo, Oink Mew
The donkey says, “hee-haw,” the chick says, “cheep cheep,”
There is nothing better than a simple book with clear images. Babies love to learn the sound of the animals and this books has 26 cute photos to do so. Available in English or in bilingual this is a great add to your library.
Noisy Farm
This book has traveled with us in the car, on the plane and everywhere in between. Touch, feel, and hear the animals on every page of this sturdy board book. Interactive books are babies favorites. This one not just has the animal noise but it also has different textures for an added sensory exploration.
Elmo Says…
This one is a fun one to play with. You touch your nose, tickle your toes or choo choo like a train. This one is a fun one to play with.
“Elmo Says,” is just like the original, except that here, our favorite furry little red monster leads the action. Toddlers and adults can read and join in the play—they just have to be careful to listen for those magic words: Elmo says!
Where is baby’s belly button
Did you. know that by 15months your baby should correctly identify 5 body parts? I didn’t and I freaked out when I did…
I started to teach Manny his body parts late (16 months) so don’t be like me and start early…
With this book learning will be a breeze and it will be so much fun!
Amazon Top Sellers
I rely a lot on Amazon’s top sellers for a lot of different categories in products. If you know is in Amazon’s top seller list is because it has to be good. Here are a few recommendations for your baby’s first library.
Giraffes Can’t Dance
Giraffes Can’t Dance is a touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. With crooked knees and thin legs, it’s harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend.
Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book
Rod Campbell’s classic lift-the-flap book Dear Zoo has been a firm favorite with toddlers and parents alike ever since it was first published in 1982.Young readers love lifting the flaps to discover the animals the zoo has sent-a monkey, a lion, and even an elephant! But will they ever find the perfect pet?
With bright, bold artwork, a catchy refrain, and a whole host of favorite animals, Dear Zoo is a must for every child’s bookshelf.
The Rainbow Fix
The award-winning book about a beautiful fish who finds friendship and happiness when he learns to share is now available in a board book edition for the youngest child.
The Day the Crayons Came Home
The companion to the #1 blockbuster bestseller, The Day the Crayons Quit!
Duncan now faces a whole new group of crayons asking to be rescued. From Maroon Crayon, who was lost beneath the sofa cushions and then broken in two after Dad sat on him; to poor Turquoise, whose head is now stuck to one of Duncan’s stinky socks after they both ended up in the dryer together; to Pea Green, who knows darn well that no kid likes peas and who ran away—each and every crayon has a woeful tale to tell and a plea to be brought home to the crayon box.
Peek-A Who? (Lift the Flap Books, Interactive Books for Kids)
Colorful pictures and simple rhyming texts help children guess what’s peeking through the die-cut windows in these two fun board books. The anticipation of what’s hiding on the next page and the bright, engaging illustrations will keep youngsters guessing and giggling all the way to the surprise endings.
Literacy Teacher Liz’s Recommendations
Liz is a literacy teacher and an Usborne Publishing rep. If someone knows what a good book is Liz! She will be the one to tell you what book is best for your baby! I partnered with her to get her favorite books that will set the foundation for reading. Here are her favorite books and a direct link to purchase them. These books are only available for purchase online.
All Better!
Dog hurt his foot, Sheep scratched her tummy and Bear sat on a splinter! What will make everything all better? Clean it, kiss it and put a bandage on it! Young readers will delight in the five animal friends’ misadventures and be eager to help make things “all better” with the five reusable and repositionable stickers.
That’s Not My Zoo Box Set
This fabulous touchy-feely library contains five of the best-selling zoo animal titles – Lion, Meerkat, Panda, Monkey and Elephant, and comes in a sturdy keepsake library box. Makes a wonderful gift!
See all That’s Not My collections
That’s not my tractor
Babies and toddlers will love touching the textured patches on every page. The bright pictures and textures to stroke are designed to help develop sensory and language awareness.
This delightful series of board books is aimed at very young children. The bright pictures with their patches of different textures are designed to develop sensory and language awareness. Babies and toddlers will love turning the pages and touching the feely patches.
Lift and Look Under the Sea
The sea is full of surprises, so come on in and take a look. You’ll find amazing things in the sea!
Series: Lift and Look Board Books
Lift the flaps to find out what’s going on at construction sites, under the sea, on the steam train, and more! Learn more
Are You There Little Tiger?
Children will love peeking through the holes in this beautifully illustrated book in search of the elusive little tiger. Die-cut shapes give glimpses of things that turn out to be something altogether different when you turn the page: can you find the hiding tiger?
Busy Car Book
Talking about interactive books! this one has a moving car and is on my wishlist.
Watch as the car whizzes around the tracks in this delightful interactive book. Wind up the car by pulling it backward, place it on the track, and let it go.
Series: Busy Book Starter Collection This collection includes the following titles: Busy Car Book, Busy Helicopter Book, and Busy Train Book.
Night Sounds
Press the pages of this enchantingly illustrated book to hear the nighttime world come to life.
Little children will love discovering the hooting owls, whistling wind, barking foxes, and all the other things making noises! Includes tactile die cuts and peep holes to allow for a multi-sensory experience
Series: Press-a-Sound Books . Press the sign on each page to hear wonderful sounds and noises. The beautiful illustrations complement these beautiful first picture books for young children with fully embedded sounds.
Classic Must-Haves
You don’t want to be the only ones that have no idea what people are talking about when they refer to a classic book. Get prepared by getting familiar with these stories. These books are the must-have books for your baby’s first library.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The all-time classic picture book, from generation to generation, sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds! Perfect for teaching the days of the week, offers readers an interactive experience.
Ten Little Night Stars
Ten Little Night Stars is a sweet bedtime counting book perfect for the youngest readers. One by one the stars come out in the night sky as cute and cuddly animals go through their bedtime routines. This board book will encourage children to turn the page with interactive and engaging rhyme, and will take them through bath time, story time, and sleep.
Goodnight Moon
In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one—the little bunny says goodnight.
The Giving Tree
Since it was first published fifty years ago, this picture book for readers of all ages has offered a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?
“A classic for kids that’s perfect as a board book for reading aloud to babies and toddlers.” – Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck–all parade across the pages of this delightful book.
Chica Chica Bom Bom
A told B
and B told C,
“I’ll meet you at the top
of the coconut tree.”
Of course there is always enough room for this rollicking alphabet chant that has been a children’s favorite for more than twenty years!
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Book
One of the most beloved children’s books of all time!
f a hungry little mouse shows up on your doorstep, you might want to give him a cookie. And if you give him a cookie, he’ll ask for a glass of milk. He’ll want to look in a mirror to make sure he doesn’t have a milk mustache, and then he’ll ask for a pair of scissors to give himself a trim….
I hope this gives you an idea of what type of books to look for when building your baby’s first library. If you go with any of the above or all of the above you will be setting up your baby for success. Colors, interactive books, and rhymes.
About Liz
My name is Lizette Lemieux! I’ve been a Broward County educator for the last 20 years. I have my degrees in Educational leadership, Reading and my Bachelors in Elementary Education.
Currently, I am the Dual Language, 1st grade Spanish teacher at Silver Palms Elementary school.
Literacy is my life! I aspire to see children blossom and crave books in their life. I am involved with literacy activities/functions at my school and serve as the Reading Committee liaison as well!
“I believe something magical can happen when you read a good book.”
Liz Lemieux
My most recent adventure led me to Independent consulting for Usborne Books and More. What fun way to bring reading into homes! They are perfect for babies through teens because of their highly engaging content, lasting durability, and variety of genre.
Usborne books has been in existence for 30 years and has twice been recognized by Forbes And Fortune Magazine as one of America’s 100 Fastest Growing Small Business Companies.
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