Baby’s First Books

It’s never too early to read to your baby. Even before they can focus on the pictures, they are listening to the rhythm and cadence of your voice. Reading promotes bonding between baby and caregiver and demonstrates that books are to be enjoyed. Board books are great because they are sturdy and we want babies to be able to hold, pat, and play with books without our being nervous about ripped and soggy pages. Here are a few recommendations for baby’s first books.

 

Baby Sees First Colors: Black, White, & Red by Akio Kashiwara

This book is ideal for infants since they are better able to distinguish high contrast colors. Baby’s eyes can focus on these colorful pictures while hearing the bouncy, rhyming text.

Available formats: Book

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A Kiss Means I Love You by Kathryn Madeline Allen

Babies love looking at photographs for other young children. This fun read-aloud teaches little ones about nonverbal communication. It is especially fun to dramatize the actions with baby while reading along!

Available formats: Book, Ebook (Hoopla)

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Tomie’s Little Mother Goose by Iona Opie and Tomie dePaola

This book contains over 24 traditional rhymes and verses — taken from the classic versions, including Little Miss Muffett, Humpty Dumpty, Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, and Little Boy Blue. Hearing nursery rhymes prepares young children for learning to read and this delightful book is a great start.

Available formats: Book

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How Does Baby Feel? by Karen Katz

This sweet lift-the-flap book describes baby’s feelings and illustrates facial expressions that demonstrate those feelings. An older infant will delight in the interactive feature of lifting the flaps to see how baby is feeling.

Available formats: Book

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Moo, Baa, La, La, La! by Sandra Boynton

This book is silly and fun for all ages! The cow says moo, the sheep says baa, but the three pigs say “la,la,la”! Sandra Boynton’s books are always funny and whimsical, and this one is particular inspires smiles and laughs. If baby sees that books are fun, they will grow up to equate reading with joy!

 

Available formats: Book

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Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle

The brightly colored collages of Eric Carle pair beautifully with Bill Martin’s catchy text. This book will be read over and over! Young children love the repetition and the predictable story and soon learn it by heart. This book has become a classic.

Available formats: Book

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Global Babies by Global Fund for Children

Here is another board book with bright photographs of babies faces. This one celebrates babies from all over the world. It  demonstrates that while little ones may dress differently and have varying skin colors, all over the world, babies are loved.

Available Formats: Book

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