Baby's First Books

Reading is such a wonderful activity to do with a baby. You sit close together, they hear your voice, and they are introduced to new sounds and images. I have put together a list of books that your baby will love to look at over and over again in their first few years. These are wonderful books to give as gifts at baby showers too!

This list of books for your baby's first library has a mix of well knows and much loved books as well as some lesser known books. I hope these will become family favorites.
The links on this page will take you to Amazon where you can buy the book or read reviews. All of the links are affiliate links. I will receive a small portion of any sale, at not extra cost to you.

Books for Baby's First Library

Reading to babies is such an important part of their development. It helps them make a connection between words and images which helps with early vocabulary. It can instill an early love of books as well as reading.

I have to admit that my favorite part about reading to my children when they were little was the peaceful time sitting in our rocking chair. Just the two of us rocking back and forth, cuddled together in the chair, reading a simple book. Having them quiet down from the day and settle in for time together, while I read softly to them each night. They had favorite books that they would choose that I ended up knowing by heart and I loved that special time for us to spend together.

Let's get to the list!

Tried and true classics. These books are found in many homes and for good reason. Babies love these books.

Goodnight Moon  by Margaret Wise Brown   -  Better buy 2 copies of this because you will read this so often. As you can see from my main picture, our copy is missing the spine from reading so much.
Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown  -  My 8 year old still likes me to read this one to her every once in a while.
Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt
The Real Mother Goose by Blanch Fisher Wright  -  I have the copy of this book from the 70's that my dad read to me. It was fun to read it to my girls.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Jamberry by Bruce Degan
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak   - What is it about those Wild Things that kids love so much?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Going to Bed Books  These books will help your children wind down at bedtime

Bless Me by Grace Maccarone and Sam Williams  - a gentle rhyming goodnight prayer
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Iza Trapani  - I bet you didn't know there were so many verses, but they are all wonderful
Good Night, Baby Animals You've Had a Busy Day by Karen B Winnick - Follow 6 baby animals throughout their day and see them tuck in for the night
Time For Bed by Mem Fox
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
The Going To Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

Love-ly books for babies

I Love You Through and Through by Burnadette Rossetti Shustak  - I first checked this out at the library and knew that we had to add it to our home library
I Love You to The Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth
I Love You As Much by Laura Krauss Melmed
Guess how Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
I'll Love You Till The Cows Come Home by Kathryn Cristaldi

Other Much Loved Books

Mr Brown Can Moo, Can You? by Dr. Seuss  - kids love this fun book full of interesting noises
Wheels On the Bus by Raffi  - My oldest loved sitting on my lap when I read "the people on the bus go up and down" and I would move my knees so she went up and down too.
The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
My Mommy and I/My Daddy and I by PK Hallinan - Daily activities that moms and dads do with their kids, a slight religious tone
God Gave Us You by Lisa T. Bergren - Multiple books for different seasons and events
Tumble Me Tumbily by Karen Baicker and Sam Williams  - 3 stories in 1 in this book. Baby throughout the day
Ten Tiny Toes by Caroline Jayne Church
On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
My Truck is Stuck by Kevin Lewis
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault
Machines at Work by Byron Barton

This list is a great place to start your baby's first library. Books make a great baby shower gift too! Pick a few books to add to your baby's collection of first books, get comfy with them, and enjoy the time you spend reading together.