Bookshelf Builder is a book-only registry for baby showers, birthdays, father fests and holidays. We've combed through our data to identify the best 57 baby books by looking what books are the most gifted and most requested, but also feature diversity, emotions, cover the classics and support early development. This is a selection of baby books that goes beyond storytelling, emphasizing the magic of bonding, attachment, and early development.
The baby books in this list are great for newborns, babies, toddlers and children under about 4 years old. Whether you're here to stock your own baby's bookshelf or looking for baby shower gift ideas, we've got you covered.
The 57 Best Baby Books
How We Compiled This List
The early years of parenting are a precious time for fostering deep connections and nurturing your baby's budding development. Introducing your little one to the world of baby books is a beautiful way to create lasting bonds and lay the foundation for their early learning.
To help parents and their support circle build a baby's library at home, we've compiled a list of the best baby books out there. Together, these books cover a broad range of types, topics, formats, and authors. They feature a diverse set of leads, showcase bravery and emotions, and are just plain fun too!
January 24, 2024
Nina Sodhi, Founder of Bookshelf Builder
Our List Forms a Well Rounded Baby Library
An essential element to consider when gathering baby books is to consider how the books compliment each other and form a well-rounded foundation for story time. Our list considers all the factors below, and we feel it forms a strong foundation for early literacy, bonding and cherished memories.
Here are some themes for you to consider as you build your baby's library:
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First words & concepts: Support language development and early cognitive skills. Fantastic opportunity to introduce multiple languages.
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Emotions & feelings: Choose books that explore a range of emotions, helping your child understand and express their feelings from an early age. Include anger, frustration, and sadness to build acceptance of harder feelings.
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Engage the parents: Babies can tell when parents are genuinely engaged, so include books about parents' hobbies, interests, jobs, culture, homeland, etc.
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Timeless classics: Include timeless classics like "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown or "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle. These books have been beloved by generations and are sure to create lasting memories.
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Diversity in authors and characters: Be deliberate about including stories featuring characters from different backgrounds and cultures. Also include books written by a diverse group of authors to expose your child to a variety of perspectives and experiences.
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Multi-sensory: Include books with textures and interactive elements to engage your baby's senses. Books with strong rhyming patterns can enhance language skills and rhythm perception.
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Board books: Start with sturdy board books designed to withstand the curiosity and exploration of little hands.
Use Bookshelf Builder's Book Registry to Help
Bookshelf Builder is a book registry for baby showers, father fests, children's birthdays and holidays. When you sign up for a baby shower registry, we automatically pre-fill your registry with these 57 books. You can remove books that you already have or aren't your jive, and then add more books to get the registry just right for you and your family.
We even help with human-generated personalized recommendations to guide you through the process. For our team, providing the recommendations is the favorite part of our job!
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Baby Books
The Ultimate List of the Best Baby Books
(sorted by popularity)