Top 10 Baby Books for Baby's First Years

As you have probably heard over and over again: it is never too early to start reading to your child.  Making books part of your bedtime routine is a great way to get your child on a consistent schedule, and this helps them sleep better (which is great news for you!). Here is a list of my Top 10 (or Top 15-ish) books that have been my favorite to read to my little one during the first years of her life; more importantly, my daughter loves these books!

1.  Little Giraffe Finger Puppet Book

Little Giraffe Finger Puppet Book

The Little Giraffe Finger Puppet Book is great if you want to see your baby or toddler fascinated by a book, then you need to pull out this finger puppet book.  My little one gets so excited each time we pull this book out.  She kisses the giraffe every time.  The author makes other finger-puppet books as well.






2.  Goodnight Moon

  

 Goodnight Moon

The reliable classic Goodnight Moon truly is great for getting your baby or toddler into a bedtime routine.  I have this book memorized - word for word.  My little one loves this book, and everything in it from the "quiet old lady whispering hush" to the bowl full of mush.

3.  The Going to Bed Book

 The Going-To-Bed Book

The Going-To-Bed Book is PERFECT for when you need a quick nighttime reading.  It's catchy, and Sandra Boynton is hands-down one of my favorite children's authors.  Her books are so catchy and fun for both the parent and the child.  When my little one was a young baby (and when I was a very, very tired mommy getting a Master's Degree), I would grab this book when I needed to shorten my little one's bedtime routine.  I can also recite this book by heart.

4.  If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

  If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (If You Give...)

This book was a favorite at one point in my life, and I'm eager to be able to read it to my daughter.  If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (If You Give...) is a great book for children who are in their toddler years, especially considering they don't make this book in the sturdy "baby and young toddler proof" boardbook form.  I love the graphics of this book.






5.  Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Every 4-year-old that I've come in contact with over the last couple of years has something to say about Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.   They love this book. This is for children 3-years and up, but it's definitely a book you want to have in stock.  






6.  The Newborn Book:  High-Contrast Black and White Images That Your Newborn Baby Will LOVE!

The Newborn Book: High-Contrast Images That Your Newborn Baby Will LOVE!

Our book, The Newborn Book:  High Contrast Images for Your Baby That Your Newborn Will LOVE! (ABC Edition), is a great book for newborns, because many newborn babies love black and white contrast images (starting at around 3-weeks-old).  My little one loved black and white images and it was so fun to see my child fascinate over something for the first time ever.  Read more about black and white images on my post 1 Simple Way to Entertain Your Newborn Baby.   We talk more about this book in Top 36 Must-Have Newborn Baby Items and in One Simple Way to Entertain Your Newborn Baby.





7.  So Big! With Elmo

So Big! (Sesame Street) (Sesame Beginnings)

If your toddler is as crazy about Elmo as my child, then you can't go wrong with Elmo.  I liked So Big! (Sesame Street) (Sesame Beginnings) a lot when my little one was around  9-months-old, because it helps teach the adorable trick of "How Big is the Baby?"  I highly recommend pairing off any Elmo book with a Stuffed Elmo.

8.  Love You Forever

Love You Forever

If you are a hormonal pregnant lady, then Love You Forever will probably make you cry because you will be overwhelmed with love for your child.  I love this book.

9.  Guess How Much I Love You

   

Guess How Much I Love You

The book  Guess How Much I Love You is yet another book that is paired well with a stuffed animal friend, like this rabbit character. This is a cute book to read during the day with your child.






10.  Good Night World Series
Great Baby Gift Ideas - Book Theme

These Good Night Our World Series books make great baby shower gift presents because they personal add a touch to the gift.  The book series has books for various cities and states, like  Good Night Chicago, Good Night Philadelphia,  Good Night New Jersey, Good Night San Diego, and many more locations around the United States.

  

 Good Night Philadelphia (Good Night Our World series)

 Good Night New Jersey (Good Night Our World series)

 Good Night Chicago (Good Night Our World series)

 Good Night San Diego (Good Night Our World series)

11.  More of My Favorites from Author, Sandra Boynton:

Here are more of my favorites by Sandra Boynton (who writes one of my favorite bedtime books that mention earlier in this post  The Going-To-Bed Book.

      

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