Why Is It Good To Read To Babies?
Babies won’t understand what you say or read to them in their first year. Yet talking and reading to them provides the foundation for language, communication, and cognitive development. (1)(2)
Pediatrician Sarah Klein, MD, explains: (2)
“Reading to babies and young children is so important.
It provides the building blocks for language. And it gives them the tools for forming lifelong social and emotional skills.”
When you read together, your baby learns to recognize pictures, copy sounds and words, and understand emotions or expressive sounds. (1)
When Should You Begin Reading To Your Baby?
Dr. Klein explains that it’s never too early or too late to start reading a book to your baby. (2)
If you can start at birth, then that’s wonderful. If you still haven’t done so, you can catch up by reading to your baby even if they’re already one year old (or even older).
Young children can benefit from reading (or being read to) at any age. (2)
Which Books Are Best For Infants?
The best baby books are age-appropriate ones designed based on your child’s developmental milestones.
For example, while a baby 3+ months old might already show interest in books, they’re likely to grab the pages and chew, lick, or bite them. (1)
Cloth or padded board books are ideal for younger babies.
Monti Kids recommends introducing books in a progression based on the number of words per page and story complexity. (3)
For example, you can start with books that contain just one image (no words) per page. Then, this can progress to more images and words or phrases per page. (3)
It’s ideal to choose books that accurately represent daily life, including body parts, animals, and common objects, Monti Kids further suggests. (3)
Simple story books or picture books and books with rhyming words can be next on your list. (3)
Some parents pick books rated for one-year-olds to introduce their infant to more advanced concepts or because they love these stories. That’s also fine, although your baby might not show interest or the same engagement for these higher-level books when they’re younger.
20+ First Books For Your New Baby
What Books Should I Read To My 3-Month-Old?
- “Baby Montessori” (boxed set) by Chiara Piroddi
- “Baby Einstein – My First Library” (box set of 12 board books) by the Editors of Phoenix International Publications
- “Wooden Book” by Monti Kids (included in the Level 2 Montessori box of baby toys)
- “Baby’s First Words: Animals” (board book) by Bloomsbury
- “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown
- “Indestructibles: Baby Peekaboo” (100% washable, chew-proof, rip-proof, and non-toxic book) by Amy Pixton
- “My First Touch & Feel Sound Book: Noisy Baby Animals” (board book) by Patricia Hegarty
- “See, Touch, Feel: A First Sensory Book” by Roger Priddy
- “New York Baby” (board book) by Puck
- “Baby University Board Book Set” by Chris Ferrie
- “Disney Baby My First Words” by Disney Books
- “ABC for You” (personalized book)
- “Hello, Baby Animals” (high-contrast board book) by Duopress Labs
Which Book Is Best For A 6-Month-Old Baby?
- “I Love You All The Time” (board book) by LOVEVERY (included in The Inspector Play Kit for baby toys)
- “Moo, Baa, La La La!” authored by Sandra Boynton
- “Where Is Baby’s Belly Button?” (interactive, lift-the-flap book) by Karen Katz
- “First 100: First Book of Colors” (padded board book) by Roger Priddy
- “Goodnight Little Me” (personalized bedtime story) by I See Me!
- “Love You Forever” (board book) by Robert Munsch
- “My First Padded Board Books” of Nursery Rhymes
- “Baby Touch and Feel: Things That Go”
- “Colors (Bright Baby)” by Roger Priddy
Books for 8+ Months & Older
- “Llama Llama Red Pajama” (board book)
- “Ten Little Fingers & Ten Little Toes” created by Mem Fox
- “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” (rhyming board books) by Bill Martin, Jr.
- “Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?” by Dr. Seuss
- “Guess How Much I Love You?” written by Sam McBratney
- “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault
- “Clifford’s Animal Sounds” by Norman Bridwell
Continue reading to learn more about these children’s books below.
1. “Baby Montessori”
Price
- One set with four books – $19.99
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational boxed set of board books
- Author: Chiara Piroddi
- Age Recommendations: Baby to one year old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Montessori-inspired series of board books for learning common plants and animals
- Designed with different themes per book
- “Follow Me!” is an interactive book to help improve hand-eye coordination and develop problem-solving skills.
- Uses shapes and colors (in black, white, and red) friendly to babies’ developing eyes and minds
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- All the books are printed in just three colors: red, white, and black. Although these are ideal colors for this age group (3+ months), the lack of variety can limit their use because the older toddlers might no longer find them interesting.
2. “Baby Einstein – My First Library”
Price
- Box Set with 12 board books – $11.33
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational box set of board books
- Author: Editors of Phoenix International Publications
- Age Recommendations: Baby to two years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Baby-sized soft books (2.5 x 2.5 inches)
- Comes with a carrying case for your little one to carry around when they’re older
- 12 different themes for varied concepts and topics
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some customers complain that the books have incomplete content (e.g., only 1-5 for the numbers and A-E for the letters)
3. “Wooden Book” by Monti Kids
Price
- Included in the Monti Kids Level 2 Montessori box of baby toys – $195 (subscription)
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational, wooden book
- Author: Monti Kids
- Age Recommendations: 4-6 months
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Montessori-inspired wooden book
- Simple book with one photo per page
- Designed to work with other materials in the play kit, including an accompanying video to model practices for reading with your baby
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- It’s a book designed for this age group but might be too simple for older children. If you’re looking for a book that grows with your child, this might not be it.
4. “Baby’s First Words: Animals”
Price
- $7.30
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational board book
- Author: Bloomsbury
- Age Recommendations: Baby to three years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Glossy embossed pictures
- Interactive book
- Includes animal names and the sound they make
Product Recall
- None
5. “Goodnight Moon”
Price
- $10.99
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational bedtime story, cloth book
- Author: Margaret Wise Brown
- Age Recommendations: Infant to three years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Soft, cloth book with colorful illustrations
- Rhythmic text
- The little bunny in this bedtime story says goodnight to everything in the room before sleeping. Through these, the book introduces your baby to different things.
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- The book was banned from the New York Public Library by the children’s librarian Anne Carroll Moore because she thought the book was “full of mush” and was “unbearably sentimental.” Despite the ban, this is still one of the bestselling books, with around 800k annual sales and nearly 50 million copies sold since it was published in 1947. (4)
6. “Indestructibles: Baby Peekaboo”
Price
- $5.95
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Interactive book made of ultra-durable tight-woven material
- Author: Amy Pixton
- Age Recommendations: Baby to three years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- 100% washable, waterproof, chew-proof, rip-proof, and non-toxic book
- Encourages interaction
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints on Amazon that this book isn’t “indestructible” (as advertised)
7. “My First Touch and Feel Sound Book: Noisy Baby Animals”
Price
- $11.53
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Education and sensory board book
- Author: Patricia Hegarty
- Age Recommendations: Baby to one year old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Sensory book that includes different textures similar to the animals’ outer body covering
- Includes realistic baby animal sounds (requires batteries)
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints on Amazon that the sound option is broken on their book
- The animal sounds require batteries to work
8. “See, Touch, Feel: A First Sensory Book”
Price
- $7.74
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Sensory board book
- Author: Roger Priddy
- Age Recommendations: Baby to one year old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Stimulates curiosity through sensory play
- Includes finger trails to follow, raised textures to feel, and a shiny baby-safe mirror
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints on Amazon that the book easily comes apart after a few months of use
9. “New York Baby”
Price
- Board book – $8.95
- Hardcover – $8.88
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational board book
- Author: Puck
- Age Recommendations: Baby to four years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Introduces words and shapes in a fun way (e.g., pizza, pretzels, bagels, etc.)
- Part of the “local baby books” series that features words and objects from different places (e.g., Texas, Boston, San Francisco, beach, library, etc.)
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints on Amazon that the book is “too simple”
10. “Baby University Board Book Set”
Price
- Box set with four board books – $25.06
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational board book
- Author: Chris Ferrie
- Age Recommendations: Baby to three years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Introduces basic STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) concepts
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints on Amazon that the books are too boring for babies because of the scientific terms and the “uninspiring” artwork
11. “Disney Baby My First Words”
Price
- $7.99
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational board book
- Author: Disney Books
- Age Recommendations: Baby to two years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Favorite Disney characters are used to introduce common animals, toys, and objects.
- Organized by category
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints on Amazon that the book pages are “boring and completely random”
12. “ABC for You”
Price
- $37.99
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational, personalized book
- Author: Wonderbly
- Age Recommendations: Baby to three years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Personalized book (uses your child’s name and the character you pick for fully personalized pages)
- Includes customizable dedication page
- Aside from teaching the alphabet, the book also takes your child on an adventure across the pages.
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- It’s pricier than most ABC books
13. “Hello, Baby Animals”
Price
- $7.95
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: High-contrast, educational board book
- Author: Duopress Labs
- Age Recommendations: Baby up to one year old or up
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- High-contrast book (in black and white) designed for a newborn’s limited vision (their eyes are not yet fully developed to see in color)
- Round corners to reduce the risk of cuts
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints on Amazon that the book had some inaccurate baby animal names and cultural stereotypes
14. “I Love You All The Time”
Price
- Included in the LOVEVERY The Inspector Play Kit for baby toys – $80 per play kit
- Available as an add-on for other play kits – $18
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Story book, board book
- Author: LOVEVERY
- Age Recommendations: 7-8 months old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Comes in a Montessori-based play kit with developmentally appropriate toys
- Stage-based book details some of the reasons why we love our kids
- Diverse photos
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- It can be pricier than other children’s books.
- You can’t easily buy it as a standalone, but rather have to purchase their entire kit. Some parents find this too limiting.
15. “Moo, Baa, La La La!”
Price
- Board book – $3.47
- Hardcover book – $4.99
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational storybook, available as a board book or hardcover book
- Author: Sandra Boynton
- Age Recommendations: 1+ years old (but some parents rate this as good for 6+ months old)
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Catchy rhyming phrases featuring animal sounds
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some parents complain that the book is “too silly”
- Others say that it’s too simple for its recommended age rating of 1+ years old and that it might be more appropriate for younger children.
16. “Where Is Baby’s Belly Button?”
Price
- Board book – $12.99
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Interactive, lift-the-flap book
- Author: Karen Katz
- Age Recommendations: Baby to two years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Interactive children’s book with easy-to-lift flaps
- Introduces young children to anatomy in a simple and fun way
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some parents complain about the flaps being too thin and eventually getting torn or bent with regular use.
17. “First 100: First Book of Colors”
Price
- $5.68
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Padded educational board book
- Author: Roger Priddy
- Age Recommendations: Baby to three years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Contains 100 colorful photos of common objects for early learning
- Introduces your baby to a wide range of colors
Product Recall
- None
18. “Goodnight Little Me”
Price
- $34.99
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Hardcover, personalized bedtime story book
- Author: I See Me!
- Age Recommendations: 0-6 years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Personalized bedtime story book that incorporates your baby’s name on the cover, some illustrations, and in the story
- Encourages settling into a bedtime routine
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Pricier than non-personalized books
19. “Love You Forever”
Price
- Board book – $7.61
- Paperback – $4.98
- Hardcover – $11.69
- Electronic (Kindle) – $4.73
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Storybook, board book
- Author: Robert Munsch
- Age Recommendations: 0-6 years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Storybook that shows a mother’s love for her baby throughout different stages in his life
- Available in different materials or book types
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- It’s a bestseller and has around 93% positive reviews on Amazon. However, some parents complained that the story is sad or creepy because the mom continues to express her love for her son even if he repeatedly misbehaves.
20. “My First Padded Board Books of Nursery Rhymes”
Price
- Board book – $9.23
- Paperback – $14.57
- Hardcover – $24.97
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Nursery rhymes, different material types
- Author/Publisher: Wonder House Books
- Age Recommendations: 0+ years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Collection of favorite nursery rhymes
- Colorful illustrations
- Includes activities to practice mathematical concepts at home
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints on Amazon that the book is too small for its price tag
21. “Baby Touch and Feel: Things That Go”
Price
- $7.79
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational and sensory board book
- Author: DK
- Age Recommendations: 0-2 years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Colorful illustrations and bright pictures
- Range of different textures for your baby to explore
- Eye-catching area or texture on every page
- Rounded edges and chunky pages
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints that this sensory book doesn’t have enough touch-and-feel activities
22. “Colors (Bright Baby)”
Price
- Board book – $4.99
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational board book
- Author: Roger Priddy
- Age Recommendations: Six months to two years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Introduces your baby to colors
- Bright illustrations for each page
- Combines simple words and colorful pictures
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints about the examples and photos featured in the book being the same or similar to those used in the other books in the series
23. “Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes”
Price
- Board book – $6.89
- Paperback – $14.12
- Hardcover – $17.90
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational picture book available in different types (padded board book, paperback, or hardcover)
- Author: Mem Fox
- Age Recommendations: 0-3 years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Teaches babies how to count
- Introduces your baby to basic anatomy
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
Some parents complained that this book isn’t inclusive because there are babies and kids who don’t have ten fingers and toes
24. “Llama Llama Red Pajama”
Price
- Board book – $7.27
- Paperback – $14.47
- Hardcover – $26.55
- Electronic (Kindle) – $10.99
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Bedtime story and rhyming board book
- Author: Anna Dewdney
- Age Recommendations: 1-3 years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Bedtime story featuring a llama
- Rhyming words
- Reassuring bedtime book that supports emotional development
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints on Amazon that this book may have encouraged bad behavior and tantrums with their children due to the situations depicted in the story
25. “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?”
Price
- Board book – $4.55
- Paperback – $10.89
- Hardcover – $8.99
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Rhyming book available in different materials (board book, paperback, or hardcover)
- Author: Bill Martin, Jr.
- Age Recommendations: 1-3 years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Storybook that introduces your baby to different animals and colors
- Features poetry and rhyming words
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints that the book has strange illustrations
26. “Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?”
Price
- Board book – $4.99
- Paperback – $10.23
- Hardcover – $7.03
- Electronic (Kindle) – $7.99
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational storybook available in different types (board book, paperback, electronic, and hardcover)
- Author: Dr. Seuss
- Age Recommendations: 1-3 years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Rhyming words
- Features engaging, silly rhymes that Dr. Seuss books are known for
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints that the book is smaller than they expected
27. “Guess How Much I Love You?”
Price
- Board book – $13.99
- Paperback – $10.25
- Hardcover – $10.99
- Audio CD – $2.58
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Storybook available in different materials (board book, paperback, and hardcover)
- Author: Sam McBratney
- Age Recommendations: 1-3 years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Story about the love between a bunny dad and his son
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints from parents who think that the dad in the story repeatedly tries to one-up his kid
28. “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”
Price
- Hardcover – $7.62
- Paperback – $8.28
- Spiral-bound – $9.99
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational story book available in different formats (hardcover, paperback, and spiral-bound)
- Author: Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault
- Age Recommendations: 1-4 years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Introduces your baby to the alphabet in a story about them trying to race each other up the coconut tree
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints on Amazon that this book is too boring
29. “Clifford’s Animal Sounds”
Price
- Board book – $4.99
- Hardcover – $9.30
Book Details
- Book Type & Material: Educational
- Author: Norman Bridwell
- Age Recommendations: 1-3 years old
Book Highlights & What Makes It Special?
- Introduces your baby to different animals and the sounds they make
Product Recall
- None
Cons & Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
- Some complaints from parents that this book is too tiny
Storybooks For Toddlers & Older Kids
- “Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site” by Sherri Duskey Rinker
- “The Going-To-Bed Book” (board book) by Sandra Boynton
- “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” (board book) by Eric Carle
- “The Wonderful Things You Will Be” by Emily Winfield Martin
How Can I Introduce My Newborn Baby To A Book?
Reading before bedtime helps create a routine for babies. When they’re younger, such as newborns who sleep most of the time, you can read aloud for a few minutes at a time (when they’re awake). (1)
You don’t have to finish the entire book or read several pages.
Cuddling and reading with your baby before bedtime can make your little one feel connected to you. It might also make them feel safe and warm. (1)
Reading Tips
Read Aloud & With Expression
Reading with expression can make the book more interesting for your little one. (1)
You can also make funny animal sounds, sing nursery rhymes, or make faces.
Encourage Interaction
Let your baby explore the textures of sensory books, lift flaps, follow trails, copy your words, or other forms of interaction. (1)
While many children’s books have thick pages, try not to encourage your child to put these in their mouths.
Some Factors to Consider
The following are some factors to consider when finding the perfect book for your baby or as baby shower gifts:
Safe Books (Watch Out For Safety & Recall Alerts)
Check the book design for possible safety issues and watch out for safety and recall alerts.
For example, Scholastic recalled “Shake Look Touch” books in July 2022 because the pom poms on the book can detach, posing a choking risk. (5)
In February 2002, Random House Inc. and the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) recalled “Monsters In The Closet” children’s board books because the snap that secures the book can detach, posing a choking risk. (6)
It’s also good to check the material. Thick pages or board books are preferable for younger babies.
Different Book Types
- Educational Books
- Interactive Books
- Bedtime Books
- Picture Books
- Books With Bright, Colorful Images
- High-Contrast (Black & White) Books
- Personalized Books
- Bestsellers
- Book Sets
Baby Books For Different Ages
Depending on their age or milestone development, babies may have different interests at different times.
Simpler books with one picture or word per page can be ideal for younger babies. Then you can slowly introduce them to more complex books as they grow older. (3)
How Long Do Babies See In Black And White?
Babies have developing eyes that can’t process enough light, so they tend to see things in black and white. However, they can also see in color, though brighter, bolder colors are easier for them to see than pastels and other light colors. (7)
They develop at different rates, but most babies can have eyesight levels similar to adults starting at six months of age. (7)
REFERENCES
(1) https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/reading-babies.html
(2) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-benefits-of-reading-to-babies/
(3) https://montikids.com/montessori/how-to-choose-books-for-your-baby-and-toddler/
(4) https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/books/2022/09/01/goodnight-moon-turns-75-no-longer-banned-from-ny-library/65419097007/
(5) https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Scholastic-Recalls-Shake-Look-Touch-Books-Due-to-Choking-Hazard
(6) https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2002/cpsc-and-random-house-announce-recall-of-childrens-book
(7) https://sleepbaby.org/do-babies-see-in-black-and-white/
