The Best Board Books for Babies
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Babies love books. They love the chance to snuggle in your arms and hear your voice as you read. What’s more, reading helps them learn language—and more. Babies are hungry for the information in the pictures, and the sound of the words. While their language and communication skills are growing and they are learning about the world, you are strengthening your bond with them. Everyone wins, especially if the books are chosen carefully.
Not every board book is a quality book for babies. It takes more than printing a children's book on thick cardboard to be appropriate for these new learners. The words and pictures need to be geared towards their developmental stage. Language should be composed of simple words and concepts: Rhymes, repetition and short sentences all capture a baby’s attention. Bright, colorful pictures will capture their gaze. They love both familiar subjects, like the babies in Gyo Fujikawa’s Babies, and ones they haven’t yet met—like the zoo animals in Good Night Gorilla.
It’s also important for it to be a book that adults like to read, because babies prefer to hear the same story over, and over, and over again. Choose wisely! Here are some board books that both babies and adults we know have enjoyed. If you aren't familiar with them all, check them out and let us know which ones you'll be adding to your grandbaby's collection!
Babies
By Gyo Fukikawa
Gyo Fukikawa’s book featuring babies and all the things they do was first published in 1963. While the sweet, gentle illustrations may seem dated to adults, babies adore them. With its tall, sturdy pages and simple words and pictures, this book has been a family favorite since I was a child. I’ve yet to meet a small child who wasn’t captivated by the pictures of babies doing everyday things. It should be on every baby’s bookshelf—get a copy for your grandbaby’s today.
Good Night Gorilla
By Peggy Rathmann
Books for babies don’t need many words, as this amusing story proves. Babies love the images of the zookeeper bidding goodnight to all the animals, and are delighted when he discovers they have followed him home. Watch the video to see how my grandson reacted every time the book reached its climactic moment. Buy it now on Amazon.
Good Night, Gorilla was a huge hit at my grandson’s house!
Baby Faces
By DK Books
Studying faces is an important part of a baby’s learning process, and the bright, simple photos of babies showing different emotions is like a primer for the youngest humans. Make sure to turn the pages slowly when you read this one—babies loves to gaze intently at each face. This is definitely one of the best board books for young babies. Purchase a copy on Amazon.
Each Peach Pear Plum
by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
I adore this book, and babies do, too. The perfectly balanced rhymes, the storybook characters in charming illustrations, the opportunity to play "I Spy"—what more could you want in a book? I can happily read it over and over—as I’ve done for years! The best part is that it will keep appealing to your grandkids past the baby stage. You’ll be glad to have this in your family library! Get your copy now.
Moo, Baa, La La La
by Sandra Boynton
It’s pretty well established that I love almost everything Boynton, and this is one of the best board books. The rollicking rhymes and frolicking animals will get your grandbaby bouncing as you read. Boynton’s books are almost universally fun to read, which is good, because you’ll be reading this a lot. Buy it on Amazon.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
There’s a reason that Eric Carle books don’t go out of print: these timeless classics continue to appeal to each generation of children. Babies love watching the caterpillar munch his way through familiar foods, and can’t resist poking their fingers through the holes he makes in this classic board book. If it’s not already on your grandchild’s shelf, send them a copy today.
Good Dog Carl
by Alexandra Day
Another wordless book with a story that keeps babies coming back to it! We all wish we had a dog as loyal and protective as Carl, who makes the perfect babysitter. Whether there is a dog in their life or not, your grandbaby will love watching the things that Carl and the baby do while the mother is gone. Visit Amazon to get a copy now.
Blue Hat, Green Hat
By Sandra Boynton
The visual jokes in this classic Boynton tale are simple enough for babies to grasp, and they’ll soon join in with each “Oops!”. It’s one of the few board books I kept when my children had grown past that stage, because they all loved it so much. Side note: in my grandchildren’s newer copy, the socks on the last page are a different color than in my copy. I’ve always wondered what triggered the change! Get your grandchildren a copy here.
Pat the Bunny
by Dorothy Kunhardt
Few children’s books from the 1940's are still available, much less flying off the shelves. Pat the Bunny is the exception: no matter what decade they were born in, babies love this interactive story. From stroking Daddy’s scratchy face, to playing peek-a-boo, your grandbaby will enjoy each page. Make sure they have this classic book for babies in their library! Buy now on Amazon.
Freight Train
by Donald Crews
The illustrations in this Caldecott Honor Book are vibrant and clean. It’s a great introduction to the concept of colors, in addition to an introduction of the parts of a train! My grandkids loved this board book to pieces—literally. Find it on Amazon for your grandchild.
Want an alternative to Amazon that supports independent book stores? Find these titles on our Bookshop.org store.