Favorite Baby Books

Ranked #7,491 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #267,627 overall

These are my favorite baby books!

These area my favorite baby books. I have an older child and now a new baby and since I am the veteran mom in my group, many of my friends are asking me for recommendations on baby books. These are books that I bought for my daughter 10 years ago. They were great then and are great now. I have personally read each of these books hundreds of times. Ok, that was an exaggeration, but it seems like hundreds. And, I am sharing them with you. Enjoy!

Favorite Author and Illustrator: Audrey Wood and Don Wood

Audrey Wood and Don Wood are a husband and wife couple who write and illustrate great picture books for babies (and the adults like them too). The characters are great, the stories are wonderful, the pictures are bold, bright, and marvelous. These recommendations are available as board books. You must have at least one in your collection.
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Favorite Rhythm: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

by Bill Martin

A told B,
and B told C,
"I'll meet you at the top
of the coconut tree."

You'll read it just because you like the rhythm and the beat. The pictures are vibrant and it is a great way to learn the alphabet - sans ABC song.
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Favorite Book about Teamwork: Swimmy

by Leo Lionni

If you ever loved "Finding Nemo" then you will adore Swimmy. This book has delightful illustrations, simple poetic language, and a truly loving hero.
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Favorite Quiet Time Books

by Margaret Wise Brown

The 'Big Red Barn' is gentle, soft, and sweet. It takes you through the day on the farm until the sun sets on the great green field. There are lots of farm animals from cows to mice. The text is very subtle. This is a calming read for quiet time.

'Goodnight Moon' is a classic by Margaret Wise Brown. It stands the test of time. The 60th Anniversary edition is now available as well.
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Favorite Unique Technique Illustrations: Eric Carle

Eric Carle's pictures are made from tissues. It is a collage technique from hand-painted papers. The pictures are large and cheerful, which is perfect for baby. Once you read just one Eric Carle book you will recognize his style anywhere.
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New Favorite: Windows to Color (Baby Einstein)

This is one that was NOT in my collection when my daughter was little, but is my son's favorite book.

Baby Einstein: Windows to Color

Definitely worth the add. It is amazing to see my 7 month old settle down and stare in amazement and the bright and big pictures on the pages of this book. It is a great book for a young baby or an older toddler who is learning his colors.

Favorite Touch and Feel Book: The Tiny Tadpole

A Little Scholastic Board Book

I found "The Tiny Tadpole" at my older daughter's book fair and had to have it.

Tiny Tadpole (Little Scholastic)

Amazon Price: $2.35 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

Realistic surfaces to touch and feel. Tells the life of a tiny tadpole who wants legs of his own. The last page is a surprise frog that 'jumps' out at baby. They love it everytime!

Up-to-the-Minute Reviews from a Washington D.C. Mother and Book Manager

The Children's Book Review is powered by Bianca Schulze, mother to one daughter, and currently a book manager at a great children's store in Washington, DC. Bianca has almost a decade's worth of experience working with children and is passionate about continuing to work with children. Combined with her love of books, the goal is to share her passion through this blog.
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Top Things to Remember When Reading to a Baby

1. Provide a sturdy book. Board books are great for the younger babies. They won't get torn if they find their way into baby's mouth. DOn't worry - baby will soon realize that books don't taste well!

2. Have fun! Make Oscar the Grouch sound like a grouch. Make silly animal sounds. Sing nursery rhymes. Show baby that reading is exciting.

3. Cuddle. Baby loves to be held by you and loves the sound of your voice. Cuddling is a wonderful activity. Baby feels so safe and warm in your arms.

4. This isn't reading class. Don't feel like you have to read the story word-for-word. Stop once in awhile and ask a question. Notice what baby is pointing to on the page and comment on it ("Yes, see that big horse? It is a big horse. That horse says, 'neigh'.").

5. Repetition. Be prepared to read the same stories over and over again. Baby is NOT getting bored and he learns from repetition. As you baby gets bigger, don't be surprised if she continues to climb up in your lap holding the same book, time and time again.

So Many Baby Books; So Little Time

How To Choose a Baby Book

1. Everlasting. For the younger babies, choose a sturdy book that will last through rough handling and some teething. Board books are great for the little ones.

2. Parents Need to Have Fun Too. Choose books that YOU will enjoy reading. It's no fun yawning while trying to get through another book just before nap time. The more you like the book, the more excited you will be which will make reading even better for baby.

3. Wow! That was bright! Choose books with large, bright illustrations. Whimsical illustrations are good for the growing toddler.

4. Less IS more! Books with lots of text and a lesson to learn may be too much for your little learner. If you have a wonderful book that is also full of text, concentrate on talking about the pictures and not worring about reading word-for-word.

What was your favorite book as a child? Do you have a favorite classic?

... you can vote these up or down... or add your own favorite to the list.

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Description coming soon...3 points

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

The story is about Alexander and his very bad day. more...1 point

Corduroy

Corduroy

Don Freeman's classic character, Corduroy, is even more...1 point

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

The 1964 Caldecott Medal Winner for the Most Disti more...1 point

Pat the Bunny (Touch and Feel Book) by Dorothy Kunhardt

Pat the Bunny (Touch and Feel Book) by Dorothy Kunhardt

"Judy can pat the bunny. Now you pat the bunn more...1 point

Richard Scarry's Best Storybook Ever! (Giant Little Golden Book)

Richard Scarry's Best Storybook Ever! (Giant Little Golden Book)

This storybook is a collection of entertaining sto more...1 point

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only more...1 point

Frog and Toad Are Friends (I Can Read Book 2)

Frog and Toad Are Friends (I Can Read Book 2)

The best of friends From writing letters to going swimming, more...1 point

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree

'Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy.' more...1 point

The Little Engine That Could mini (Little Engine That Could) by Watty Piper, George Hauman, Doris Hauman

The Little Engine That Could mini (Little Engine That Could) by Watty Piper, George Hauman, Doris Hauman

The unknowing progenitor of a whole generation of self-help more...0 points

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton

A modern classic that no child should miss. Since more...0 points

Blueberries for Sal (Picture Puffins) by Robert McCloskey

Blueberries for Sal (Picture Puffins) by Robert McCloskey

Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk go the blueberries into the more...0 points

Madeline, Reissue of 1939 edition by Ludwig Bemelmans Author And Illustrator

Madeline, Reissue of 1939 edition by Ludwig Bemelmans Author And Illustrator

Poor Miss Clavel! In "an old house in Paris t more...0 points

The Story of Babar (Babar Books (Random House)) by Jean De Brunhoff

The Story of Babar (Babar Books (Random House)) by Jean De Brunhoff

The classic first story about literature's most be more...0 points

My Very First Mother Goose

My Very First Mother Goose

To a small child, words are magical. And the most magical more...0 points

The Poky Little Puppy (A Little Golden Book Classic) by Janette Sebring Lowrey

The Poky Little Puppy (A Little Golden Book Classic) by Janette Sebring Lowrey

One of the original 12 Little Golden Books, The Po more...0 points

The Tale of Peter Rabbit (The World of Beatrix Potter) by Beatrix Potter

The Tale of Peter Rabbit (The World of Beatrix Potter) by Beatrix Potter

This 4.13 x 5.51 inch hardcover book is one of the more...0 points

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

The little house first stood in the country, but g more...0 points

Reader Feedback

  • Kookaloo Jul 12, 2011 @ 12:07 pm | delete
    Great list - makes me want to re-read all my childhood favorites!
  • SereneSea May 17, 2011 @ 1:06 pm | delete
    Love the selection of baby books, they (the covers) are as cute as babies.
  • jp1978 Apr 28, 2011 @ 10:49 am | delete
    Dr. Seuss' Hop on Pop is a family favorite. I love the Winnie-the-Pooh books, the ones by A.A. Milne, NOT the Disney stuff.
  • AnthonyWessel Feb 28, 2011 @ 7:42 pm | delete
    Great list and bring back memories of reading to my kids (now teenagers) plus 8 years of working in a bookstore. Great lens.
  • ideadesigns Jan 20, 2011 @ 9:16 am | delete
    We have the big red barn and numerous others. Dr Seuss is a fave, so is Curious George. I've always read to my children, they love it even as they get older they want time with their parents. Reading is great!!
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