Must-Have Board Books for Infants and Toddlers to Refresh Your Bookshelves
Reading early and often with your baby deepens bonds, inspires a love of books, improves language and curiosity and nurtures empathy and understanding.
The first few years of a child's life are so important when it comes to language and reading exposure. Did you know that baby brains reach 80% of their adult volume by age 3? By committing to read every day with your baby or toddler, you can have a profound impact on their social and academic life outcomes.
We encourage you to continue learning about the importance of reading aloud during these early years by checking out, The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud In the Age of Distraction, and Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan From Birth to Six. You can also learn more about the importance of father figures reading aloud to children below.
When it comes to which types of books are best for babies and toddlers, we look for certain criteria. Here are a few helpful tips to get you started:
Look for books with short, rhythmic sentences, and fun sounds, like, "moo," "bam," and "whee!"
Babies and toddlers love books with photographs of real kids doing familiar things.
High-contrast, vibrant illustrations help babies focus, especially when they're very young.
Touch and feel board books are perfect for this stage when babies explore so much of the world with their senses.
Try to avoid books with sounds and buttons - always keep in mind, the more work a book or toy does, the less the child does.
We also prioritize books with diverse and inclusive characters, so that at the earliest ages, children develop an authentic and positive worldview. We want babies and toddlers to read books that include characters that look like the world we live in. We want them to see themselves in their stories, and also get a glimpse into someone else's lived experiences. This makes us all stronger.
Check out some of our favorite board book recommendations, including familiar favorites and new releases:
Bunny Loves Beans
Author: Jane Whittingham| Publisher: Pajama Press
Bunny Loves Beans is the latest in the Big, Little Concepts series. This book includes adorable photographs of animals and babies enjoying all sorts of rainbow-colored fruits and vegetables! It includes such great vocabulary and word repetition that is perfect for language development. Bear Has a Belly is another favorite in this series that focuses on body parts.
Let's Be Brave
Author: Leon Osakwe| Illustrator: Becky Paige| Publisher: Pajama Press
Let's Be Brave is part of a great new series called, Little Voices. These books always have diverse and inclusive characters and an emphasis on social and emotional skills. In Let's Be Brave, children learn the many ways you can be brave in both quiet and loud ways.
A Bear, A Bee, and A Honey Tree
Author: Daniel Bernstrom| Illustrator: Brandon James Scott| Publisher: Hippo Park
Daniel Bernstrom is one of our favorite authors - his books are always so fun and rhythmic to read aloud! This story has his same signature whimsy and alliteration. Don't sleep on this author or any of his books!
We Share This Earth
Author: Dan Saks| Illustrator: Brooke Smart| Publisher: Rise x Penguin Randomhouse
We Share This Earth is a beautiful story about the interconnectedness of us all. We love this new community-focused series by Dan Saks. Saks is also the author of a number of board books that are inclusive, thoughtful and heartwarming. If you have a little one starting school, you may be interested in We Share This School.
The Nose, Toes and Tummy Book
Author: Sally Nicholls| Illustrator: Gosia Herba| Publisher: little bee books
The Nose, Toes and Tummy Book is a literal blueprint for making reading fun and interactive with infants and toddlers. Read each page and discover silly and playful ways to teach about body parts.
Dress-Up Day
Author/Illustrator: Blanca Gomez| Publisher: little bee books
When one little girl misses dress-up day at school, she decides to wear her costume the next day instead. At first, she's feeling super embarrassed to be the only one dressed up, but a new friend and some extra confidence help her lean into joy. This is such a relatable story and reminds us that tough moments don't last, and with the right attitude (or friend!), anything can be fun!
Baby's First Book of Banned Books: Special Lessons for Rebellious Young Readers
Author: Mudpuppy| Illustrator: Laura Korzon| Publisher: Mudpuppy
This book introduces our youngest readers to some cherished classics, like, The Giving Tree and The Diary of Anne Frank. It has beautiful and bright illustrations and gives a short sentence about the moral of each banned book. You can watch a preview here, and see how well done it is!
How We Play
Author: Dolisha Mitchell| Publisher: Little Feminist Press
The Little Feminist series is perfect for starting conversations about diversity. Every book includes photographs of real kids doing things however their bodies are able, and showcases a true spectrum of lived experiences. How We Play is such a beautiful tribute to all the ways that children play. Once your little one is interested in picture books, we recommend Little Faces, Big Feelings and All of Me is Nature.
Tricky Topics: Hitting
Lovevery
Many people are familiar with the Lovevery toys and subscription boxes for infants and toddlers, but don't realize that they have a ton of books that you can buy individually or on their website. Their Tricky Topics series includes books about navigating hitting, biting, potty learning, starting preschool, getting a new sibling and so much more! These are fantastic choices for helping children learn social emotional skills and prepare for change and transitions.
The Belly Song
Author: Mother Moon| Illustrator: Leah Giles| Publisher: little bee books
This body-positivity book is so much fun to read! It also includes a QR code to listen to the song which infants and toddlers will love. Its an important type of book to include in your library. All bodies are good bodies!
Dinosaurs in Trucks Because Hey, Why Not?
Author: Sandra Boynton| Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Sandra Boynton is the queen when it comes to silly board books that babies love! We had to include one of her latest in this collection - dinosaurs and trucks? Its a toddler's dream! Don't miss this one, or pretty much any other Boynton book. ;)
I Love You, Baby Burrito
Author: Angela Dominguez| Publisher: little bee books
This sweet story tells a new baby just how loved they are. It includes simple, Spanish words and so many beautiful, gentle illustrations. Its sure to become a new caregivers favorite story to read to their own little burrito.
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