There are so many reasons why it is important to read to babies, even if they don’t actually know what you are saying. According to Cleveland Clinic doctor Sarah Klein, “[Reading] provides the building blocks for language. And it gives them the tools for forming lifelong social and emotional skills.”
Whether you are looking for baby books to give as holiday gifts or gifts to new parents or you want to build up your bookshelf for your own family, you have probably realized there are a lot of options out there. That’s why the team at Sawyer has rounded up the best books for infants, broken down by age and theme, so that you can find the right books for your needs. Looking for the best books for toddlers, too? We’ve got you covered!
Best books for infants
- Best books for newborns
- Classic baby books
- Best board books for babies
- Unique baby books
- Best books for one year olds
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Best books for newborns
Reading to newborns might seem silly, but they really do get a lot out of it. Listening to books each day helps establish a routine, enhance their language skills, increase their emotional learning, provide bonding time for parent and child, and even, get them more ready for school. Here are some of the best books for newborns so you can get them started on the right path.
Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton
Why do newborns love Moo, Baa, La La La!?
A classic book for newborns, Moo, Baa, La La La! teaches babies about animals and helps them start mimicking the sounds of their favorite farm animals. Making these noises is an important part of their language development, plus it is fun for everyone!
Buy Moo, Baa, La La La!
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Why do newborns love Guess How Much I Love You?
If there is one thing that newborns understand, it is their love for their parents. This fun and silly board book shows how much a bunny and his father love each other. You and your child will love it, too!
Buy Guess How Much I Love You
Counting Kisses by Karen Katz
Why do newborns love Counting Kisses?
It is never too early to start counting with your newborn and what better way to practice than with kisses? Babies love snuggling up with their loved ones for a fun book and a lot of love.
Buy Counting Kisses
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
Why do newborns love From Head to Toe?
You’ve heard of “monkey see, monkey do”, right? Well, we’re not saying your newborn is a monkey, but they can definitely scratch their head like a gorilla! This interactive book from one of the great children’s book authors Eric Carle will have you and your newborn mimicking animal actions and giggling the whole time.
Buy From Head to Toe
Baby Touch and Feel: Animals by DK
Why do newborns love Baby Touch and Feel?
Tactile baby books are a great way to get your newborn interested and engaged in the world around them. While they are likely too small to play with real animals, Baby Touch and Feel lets them learn about animals and how they feel in a safe way.
Buy Baby Touch and Feel: Animals
Classic baby books
The classics are just that: classics. These books are timeless and they are extra fun for parents and grandparents to read because they remember them from when they were younger. Check out our list of classic baby books and let the nostalgia flow.
Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt
Why is Pat the Bunny a classic baby book?
Pat the Bunny is considered the first touch and feel book and it’s a classic for that reason. It helps babies learn how to explore with their hands and delights them with fun imagery and feels.
Buy Pat the Bunny
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
Why is The Little Engine That Could a classic baby book?
Babies love repetitive sounds so “I think I can, I think I can” from this classic baby book helps keep them engaged and can work itself into some of their first words. Plus, the message of perseverance and trying your best is great to instill at a young age.
Buy The Little Engine That Could
Spot Goes to the Farm by Eric Hill
Why is Spot Goes to the Farm a classic baby book?
All of the Spot books are classics, but Spot Goes to the Farm is especially fun because, as Spot searches for the baby animals around the farm, your baby can lift the flaps and follow along. And, don’t worry, if they are a little too excited to search, you can always tape ripped flaps back on.
Buy Spot Goes to the Farm
The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin
Why is The Wonderful Things You Will Be a classic baby book?
Dream big with your baby by reading this beautifully illustrated and rhythmically rhymed story about all of the amazing opportunities for your child. This is a great gift for a newborn and a great read for all babies and families.
Buy The Wonderful Things You Will Be
Best board books for babies
If you have a baby, or if you’ve ever interacted with one, you know that pages are a bit too fragile for their tiny, yet strong, hands. Board books are perfect because babies can hold on and interact with the book while you read. Check out our list of the best board books for babies to enjoy, touch, and maybe even throw across the room.
Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison
Why do babies love Dream Big, Little One?
Babies and parents alike will fall in love with Dream Big, Little One, which features 18 important Black women in history. The drawings are adorable and the messages are important. Get ready to be inspired.
Buy Dream Big, Little One
Baby Elephant: Finger Puppet Book by Chronicle Books
Why do babies love Baby Elephant?
Babies love babies and they love finger puppets, so this book really knocks it out of the park. The story is adorable and the interactive and tactile nature of the finger puppet make this book perfect for babies.
Buy Baby Elephant: Finger Puppet Book
Baby Feminists by Libby Babbot-Klein
Why do babies love Baby Feminists?
Lift the flap and discover what our favorite feminists looked like as babies - hint: they looked just like your baby! Babies will love seeing themselves reflected in the images and the message of growing up feminist is one that should be shared.
Buy Baby Feminists
Counting on Community by Innosanto Nagara
Why do babies love Counting on Community?
This lovely and diverse board book helps babies learn to count while exploring many fun items like pinatas, hefty hends, and delicious dishes. It also teaches the importance of being friendly to the environment and, of course, leaning on your community.
Buy Counting on Community
Unique baby books
When you are looking to buy a gift for a newborn or infant, you might want to avoid being the fourth or fifth person to give Are You My Mother? Instead, check out our list of unique baby books so that you can give memorable and meaningful gifts that children and their families will cherish forever.
Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children
Why is Global Babies a unique baby book?
Featuring high-quality and saturated images of babies all around the world, Global Babies is truly unique when compared to the overflow of illustrated children’s books. It helps babies learn about the wider world around them and connect with others who are different from themselves.
Buy Global Babies
You Are Light by Aaron Becker
Why is You Are Light a unique baby book?
The beautifully colored die-cut circles reflect light and create incredible patterns and colors that will awe you and your baby. The story explains the beauty of light and how it helps warm us, the planet, and feed the plants and animals.
Buy You Are Light
TouchThinkLearn: Feelings by Xavier Deneux
Why is TouchThinkLearn: Feelings a unique baby book?
This tactile board book features diecut and raised images that outline different types of feelings so that babies can trace them with their fingers. Understanding feelings from a young age is a great way to establish emotional and social intelligence for your baby.
Buy TouchThinkLearn: Feelings
Landmarks by Katie Wilson
Why is Landmarks a unique baby book?
Utilizing Montessori techniques, Landmarks teaches babies about the world around them through touch and lovely illustrations. This book is an especially exciting gift for a child who has family members in different cities and countries.
Buy Landmarks
Pinwheel by Salina Yoon
Why is Pinwheel a unique baby book?
This board book features a pinwheel that, when spun, reveals entrancing and colorful scenes. Babies love interacting with their books and this will engage both parents and children for years.
Buy Pinwheel
Best books for one year olds
When children are one, most begin to follow stories more closely. Funny and silly books are great for children at this age because it helps them get the sense that reading is fun. Likewise, finding books that fit into their passions (like trucks, animals, sports) or their routine (waking up, brushing teeth, eating meals) can help them enjoy reading more. Check out some of the best books for one year olds to give as gifts or stock your library.
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Why do one year olds love The Rainbow Fish?
One of the classics, this colorful book with holographic scales tells a beautiful story of sharing and friendship. One year olds who are in daycare or beginning to have playdates with friends and family will benefit from the lesson, even if they are mainly mesmerized by the sparkly scales.
Buy The Rainbow Fish
Peek-A-Who? by Elsa Mroziewicz
Why do one year olds love Peek-A-Who?
This uniquely shaped (triangle, instead of square!) board book will delight your one year old who has seen it all before! As they go through each page, they can lift the flaps to see who is hiding. What sound do they make? This interactive book will keep you laughing (and barking) all day long.
Buy Peek-A-Who?
Big Board 100 First Words by Roger Priddy
Why do one year olds love 100 First Words?
Build up your child’s vocabulary while they have fun and lift flaps to learn some of the most common words for little ones. This board book version is perfect for one year olds to interact with as they explore their new favorite words so they can identify what is going on around them.
Buy Big Board 100 First Words
Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
Why do one year olds love Clifford the Big Red Dog?
What’s not to love about Clifford! He’s a huge dog that loves being a good friend. As one year olds become more interested in stories, they will fall in love with Clifford and Emily Elizabeth as they explore their neighborhood together and try to fix the silly messes that come along with being a giant dog.
Buy Clifford the Big Red Dog
I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont
Why do one year olds love I Like Myself?
An ode to self-esteem, I Like Myself will warm the heart of child and parent alike. The rhymes are silly, but the message is important, which is the perfect mix to get a one year old excited to read this book over and over.
Buy I Like Myself
As you navigate this list, you will be more than ready to gift the best books for infants to the babies in your life. Get ready to help these children fall in love with reading by hearing you read aloud (over and over and over again).
If you are looking for even more fun reading-related activities, Sawyer educators Cultivating Literacy, Lavender Blues, and The Reverie School have online read alouds and story time for young children! Check them out, and more exciting activities, on the Sawyer marketplace.
