educational books for 6 month old

The 24 Best Books for Babies 6 to 12 Months – Keep Your Baby Busy!

There are countless benefits to introducing and reading books to babies at an early age. From quality time spent cuddling and exploring colorful pages to building baby’s vocabulary and language skills, it’s never too early for parents to read to their babies. We’ve put together a list of the best books for babies 6 to 12 months to give you ideas for books that will engage, educate, and entertain little ones.

Whether you’re looking for books about animals, the Bible, and learning to count, or you’re interested in interactive formats to give a little one endless fun with finger puppets or pop-ups, this list has you covered!

Books for Babies About Animals

Finger puppet books for 6-12 months, pop up books for your baby, books for learning = numbers + counting, shapes and colors, sweet biblical books for your 6-12 month old baby, books for girls 6-12 months old, books for boys 6-12 months old, in conclusion, top 24 books for babies 6 to 12 months.

At Bless Our Littles, we like to talk about things we love and think you might enjoy too.  Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links ( see disclosure here ). This means we will receive a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. This is no extra cost to you. There are some products we have tried and others that we haven’t but think would be helpful to you! 

1. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Children have loved this Eric Carle classic since 1967 and for good reason! Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See ? is filled with illustrations of a variety of animals, each in a primary color. Its imagery and simple text make it one of the best books for babies 6 to 12 months old.

2. I’ve Loved You Since Forever

A beautifully illustrated book sharing the love felt between a parent and child, I’ve Loved You Since Forever is a heartwarming story. Authored by Hoda Kotb, co-anchor of the Today Show, the book has become popular thanks to its precious artwork and its message of a parent’s destined love for their child.

3. Look Look!

Even the youngest babies are drawn to the high-contrast, artful pages of Look Look! Engaging little ones with its graphics and older babies with exciting cars and animals, Look Look! has a simple premise and exciting visuals that babies and parents can enjoy together.

1. If Animals Kissed Goodnight

Based on the sweet premise of how animals would kiss each other goodnight if they kissed like we kiss, If Animals Kissed Goodnight is an adorable book. The story includes many mother and father animals and their young, accompanied by simple yet beautiful illustrations.

2. Baby Animals

This book not only includes precious photos of baby animals, but it has touch-and-feel pages that babies and toddlers will love exploring. Baby Animals introduces children to a variety of animals from birds to bunnies and offers soft textures they will have fun feeling with their little fingers!

3. Dear Zoo

Families have adored Dear Zoo for many years thanks to its bright visuals and the mystery of lifting flaps to discover different animals from the zoo. This popular book’s repetitive language is perfect for babies and toddlers who like catchy phrases.

1. Little Horse

Little ones will delight in watching mom and dad animate Little Horse with their fingers, or trying it out themselves! The book takes readers along as Little Horse plays in the sun at the farm where he lives, with charming illustrations and a simple interactive story.

If your baby gets hooked on this book, you might introduce them to other books in the Little Finger Puppet Board Books series, such as Little Puppy and Little Crab .

2. Curious George Pat-a-Cake

Set to the pat-a-cake rhyme so many babies love, Curious George Pat-a-Cake is filled with excitement for little readers. In this book, everyone’s favorite little monkey prepares for a birthday party with text to be said in rhyme with pat-a-cake. Curious George Pat-a-Cake is the perfect way to introduce your baby to George and his antics

3. Five Little Monkeys

Five Little Monkeys is a classic rhyme for babies to bounce and eventually jump to! It features a precious finger monkey finger puppet for interactive play with babies and parents alike. A fun little twist on the classic story about the dangers of jumping on the bed.

1. Splish Splash Pop-up Fun

With bright colors and cute illustrations, Splish Splash Pop-Up Fun is a perfect book to entertain babies! Each page has a pop-up or lift-the-flap feature, encouraging discovery and exploration! Parents will appreciate the sturdy and enduring pop-up and flap elements that last through many story times

2. Colors Pop-Up Peekaboo

Babies can start to engage in playing peekaboo around 4-5 months old and will continue to love to play well into being a toddler. Colors Pop-Up Peekaboo incorporates the sweet game into a book with colorful animals and hide-and-seek. Babies will be fascinated by the anticipation of the adorable animals leaping from the page. 

3. Pop-Up Dinosaurs

A sturdy pop-up book that will last years of being read over and over again, Pop-Up Dinosaurs is sure to be a hit with your little one. This book is engaging and educational, presenting facts about dinosaurs alongside five dinosaur pop-ups. With four colorful pages, baby can memorize and look forward to each one!

1. One Fish Two Fish

Dr. Seuss books often become family treasures thanks to their memorable phrases and unique illustrations. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish is one of these treasured classics, and one of the best books for babies 6 to 12 months old, with its silly rhymes and funny and magical animals. This book is a wonderful introduction to Dr. Seuss and the imaginative world of his books.   

2. Color Zoo Board Book

Not only does the Color Zoo Board Book introduce babies to colors, but it also shows them a world of shapes and animals they’ll delight in. With die-cut pages that line up to create the shapes of many different animals, this book is both fun and educational and babies will love it.

3. My Very First Book of Shapes

With Eric Carle’s signature illustrations and the excitement of flipping its split-pages, My Very First Book of Shapes is a fantastic first shapes book for babies of any age. Parents and caregivers can help babies to align the upper page shapes with the matching bottom shape pages, and as babies get older, they can navigate matching the pages all on their own!

1. Noah’s Ark

A beautiful and simple presentation of the story of Noah’s Ark, Noah’s Ark is created especially for babies and toddlers. Along with its sharing of the lesson God’s promise, the book helps babies learn to count and get to know the colors of the rainbow. Modern illustrations and simple text make it perfect for the youngest readers.

2. In the Beginning

In the Beginning tells the story of creation with language and visuals designed just for babies. With minimal but effective text, bold and simple artwork, and sweet presentations of Adam and Eve and the earliest animals, this book is a wonderful introduction of little ones to the stories of the bible and God’s love.

3. Found: Psalm 23

The powerful message of Psalm 23 is put into words babies will learn and love in Found: Psalm 23 . This colorfully illustrated story brings Psalm 23 to life in a padded board book that is just the right size for a baby. The book is part of the series that includes the popular Jesus Storybook Bible.

1. Flora and the Flamingo

A book that little girls will cherish from baby years through school age, Flora and the Flamingo tells the whimsical story of Flora and her flamingo friend. Without any words, the sweetly feminine illustrations will engage any baby girl, and as she grows, she will love understanding how the story unfolds. 

2. Guess How Much I Love You

Guess How Much I Love You was first published more than 25 years ago and it continues to be one of the best books for babies 6 to 12 months old. The charming story of Little Nutbrown Hare captures the immense love between parents and their children, and little ones will adore the watercolor illustrations that bring the words to life.  

3. Ten, Nine, Eight

The perfect book for winding down as bedtime nears, Ten, Nine, Eight is a calming tale of a father and daughter. The wonderfully detailed illustrations and vibrant colors used throughout the book’s pages will capture baby’s attention, while the timeless story will be enjoyed for years to come. 

1. Love You Forever

If ever there was a book to bring tears to the eyes of a boy-mom, Love You Forever is it! Love You Forever tells the story of a mother’s love for her son, and his love for her as they go through life. The book’s words, though simple and paced well for reading to little ones, will resonate with any parent, while its artwork beautifully and perfectly accompany them. Love You Forever is especially wonderful as a gift for parents of a. baby boy.   

2. Buildablock

Little ones showing an early interest in trucks and machines will adore Buildablock , a fascinating board book featuring more than 24 construction machines. The book is filled with die-cut shapes that will intrigue little readers, as well as detailed illustrations they will love studying as you read to them. 

3. Where’s Spot?

Mischievous play is often synonymous with little boys, and Where’s Spot? is the perfect book for curious, growing little guys. The pages in Where’s Spot? feature lift-the-flap discoveries as readers search to find the elusive yellow puppy. The book’s simple story and illustrations make it one of the best books for babies 6 to 12 months old.

Reading to babies is a wonderful thing for parents and caregivers to do early and to do often. This list of books for babies 6 to 12 months old will give you ideas about what books you might want to start with, whether you’re getting books for your family or as a gift for others. 

With thousands of children’s books in publication, we hope these highly rated books shared in the categories we’ve provided will let you narrow down your options and find a book perfect for the baby in your life.

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30 Best Books for 6- to 12-Month-Olds

We don’t have to tell you that this is a great age. Your baby is starting to sit up or will soon; is tracking you across the room with their sweet little eyes; and the world is bursting with information and colors that fascinate them. Now that the newborn stupor is in the rearview mirror, but the toddler days are still many months away, you can connect and bond so much with your 6-12-month-old baby through reading. 

In this age range, babies no longer need high-contrast imagery to help them focus…they’re ready to explore colors! It’ll probably be some time before they learn which one is which, but it’s a perfect moment to introduce these—plus shapes, human faces, and animal types—to them. Reach for books that inspire them to move, clap, and giggle, and have a few on your shelves that prep them for bath and bedtime. Babies love exploring with their hands and mouths, so add a few soft, touch-and-feel, and lift-the-flap books to their growing collection. 

From classics that have delighted generations to newer picks you can discover together, these are our 30 favorite books for babies, ages 6 to 12 months. 

Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt

It doesn’t get any sweeter than this classic tactile baby book, with simple words and illustrations that you and your little will love.  

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox

This cute book uses the cadence of a nursery rhyme to tell a new story, complete with simple illustrations to catch your bub’s eye.

Global Babies by the Global Fund for Children

Faces are so important for your baby to look at, especially at this age when they are grasping the world around them. This beautiful book features photographs of babies from around the world, exposing littles to other cultures and a wide array of skin tones and facial features.  

See, Touch, Feel by Roger Priddy

An early sensory book geared toward young babies, the pages are bursting with texture and color to engage growing minds. 

Read to Your Baby Every Day by Rachel Williams

As the title puts it, you should aim to read to your baby every day…and this lovely book makes it easy to do so! It features appealing illustrations alongside short retellings of thirty classic nursery rhymes, making storytime seamlessly fit into your daily routine.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Soft Book by Eric Carle

The classic tale of the hungry caterpillar nummering up lots of snacks ahead of metamorphosis gets a baby-friendly boost with this soft version. The illustrations are plucked from the original, in a soft book form that Baby can even chew on. There are simple words to accompany the pictures, and when you introduce the real book in a few months, they’ll be ready to love it from the first page.  

Look Look! by Peter Linenthal 

A charming early board book that can be read to them before 6 months, but starts to really click now. From cars to stars, it covers lots of interesting themes for your little explorer.  

Baby Touch and Feel: Cuddly Animals

Any book in this series will delight, but the cuddly animals that cozy-up these pages make it a must. Featuring an array of textures to explore and illustrated with beautiful photographs of animals, this is sure to be among your favorites. Pro tip: It’s a great diaper bag book for entertainment on the run, as its pages can be explored independently, too. 

BabyLit Series: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Jennifer Adams

Hand down your love of literature to your baby with the entire BabyLit series, featuring reworked classic novels into beautifully illustrated “primers” that give a loose concept of the story at hand. Starting with Shakespeare certainly can’t be a bad idea!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin & Eric Carle

You can introduce the pared-down Baby Bear board book or cut right to the classic with your babe. A warning: your child will not tire of this book, so get ready to read it often, now and throughout the next several years.  

Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

A classic lift-the-flap book designed to keep your little one guessing, it’s been beloved for over 30 years with sweet animals on every page. 

Five Little Monkeys by Eileen Christelow

Books that teach early rhymes are a great for kickstarting language exploration and a love of reading. And this one amps it all up with engaging illustrations to bring this much-loved story to life. We’ll bet it ends up being one your tot reaches for again and again!

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss

This classic serves up the familiar sing-song patter, colorful illustrations, and big dash of silliness that one can expect from a Dr. Seuss book. And yet, it’s still simple enough to grab a baby’s attention…making it the perfect introduction to Seuss’s work.

Pop-Up Peekaboo! Colors Board Book 

All of the Pop-Up Peekaboo! books (from Baby Animals to The Farm ) are designed to get your baby interacting with their environment, and color learning is a great place to start. With pretty images, surprise-packed flaps, and a simple story, you will both have so much fun reading this one. 

Flutter By Birdie

Not all soft books are created equally. This one is exceptionally beautiful in its aesthetic and illustrations with cute, exploratory language. A variety of textures from silky to fuzzy make it a favorite for Baby to explore on their own or in your arms.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

It doesn’t get much sweeter than this classic story of a parent’s love. You might even tear up at times, but it’s worth it to share this beautiful story with your baby. 

First 100 Words by Roger Priddy 

Once Baby discovers their own interests (like trucks or animals) there are so many more books in this series to explore together. First 100 Words exposes them to photographs of everyday items and people with the word associated, a perfect start to their journey of speaking on their own.  

Sesame Street Beginnings

Not one book but a set of four, these adorable books for Baby introduce them to the Sesame Street gang in baby form. With soft images and sweet stories, they teach your baby about basic concepts like bathtime and animals, opening the door to lots more learning ahead with these beloved characters.  

Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang

A Caldecott winner that the whole family will love cuddling up to enjoy, this sweet counting book helps Baby get ready for bed while the story counts items and even fingers and toes.

Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill

You really can’t beat the curious little puppy and his mother on a mission in this adorable lift-the-flap book that babies and toddlers alike will enjoy. 

Baby, See the Colors Indestructible Book by Ekaterina Trukhan

Every baby’s library needs at least one indestructible book. These nontoxic books can be chewed, crinkled, and sucked on, and will not be destroyed. The pages are not even rippable, making them a go-to for toy boxes and diaper bags. See the Colors is a perfect introduction to shape and color. 

Are You My Mother? Cloth Book by PD Eastman

A precious tale that brings baby animals to life for your little one, this starter version is soft, cozy, and squishy for babies under 1. 

Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton  

It wouldn’t be childhood without Sandra Boynton. Her board books are sure to be fast favorites! But if we had to pick one to seed your collection, you can’t go wrong with Moo, Baa, La La La! , which offers humor, rhyming, and cute farm animals on every page.

Where is Baby’s Belly Button? by Karen Katz

It’s not too early to introduce Baby to their body! This colorful lift-the-flap book is a darling way to start. 

Little You by Richard Van Camp

A beautiful testimony to the promise and potential of every baby and child, it’s a moving and hopeful book to read to little ones of every age, starting right now. 

My First: I See You by Eric Carle

Mirrors are so important from a young age, and the 6- to 12-month range is a perfect time to start using mirrored books. Babies get to know themselves in the mirrors on each page, while lovely rhymes and pictures enhance the experience. (You can learn about the Montessori learning link and the importance of mirrors for babies here ).

Yes, Baby! Baby Signing

Introducing sign language to your baby can help exponentially with communication in these early months (and beyond!). Have fun reading and learning together with your baby using this book that highlights 25 key signs.

This Is Baby by Jimmy Fallon

Who would have thought that late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon would become a best-selling author of children's books? If you haven’t checked them out yet, this cutie is a great place to start, teaching Baby about their body parts with clear illustrations and simple language.

Welcome to the Party by Gabrielle Union

A love letter from Mama to Baby, inspired by the author’s excited anticipation for the birth of her little one. It’s a fun, positive take on the early days with Baby, staging life as a party where the baby is the guest of honor.

Wonderful Babies by Emily Winfield Martin

A board book preamble to the beloved The Wonderful Things You Will Be , breathtaking illustrations pair with clear explanations of emotions and moods for Baby in this adorable quick read.

 More Books to Add to Your Library:

• Best Bedtime Books
• Books for a Baby's First Year
• Interactive Books
• Books About Big Emotions
• Books About Friendship  

About Jenny Studenroth Gerson

Jenny Studenroth Gerson is an Atlanta-based lifestyle journalist and novelist ( Let Me Let You Go , 2020). Her work can be seen in publications including HuffPost, Cosmo, and WSJ, among many others. Jenny has researched thousands of baby names, combed through hundreds of nursery designs, and curated dozens of baby shower guides, making her absolutely the mom—and writer—you want to talk to when planning for Baby. When not meeting deadlines, she is chasing toddlers or chugging coffee—or both! Find her on Instagram @ourlifeinrosegold for mom hacks and more.

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25 Best Baby Books for Your Baby’s First Year

By Yasmine Moussa Published: May 22, 2022 Updated: October 30, 2023 This article contains affiliate links. Please see our full affiliate policy .

We’ve selected the best baby books for babies 0-12 months of age. Start your baby’s first library with these unique baby books.

Reading to your baby is such a special experience. I always feel so connected to my kids when we read. To me, sitting in an armchair or lying on the bed and reading a few books with my kids is an expression of love. And I feel like supermom afterward because I know that it was time well spent — time invested in bonding with my kids, teaching new things, and developing their minds.

When Should You Start Reading to Your Baby?

Tips for reading to your baby, the 25 best baby books for your baby’s first year, reading to your baby age by age.

Turns out, this is backed by science. From even the earliest stages of infancy, reading is one of the most powerful ways you can influence your baby’s speech and cognitive development. But reading to your baby also plays a large role in strengthening your relationship.

Children who are read to during infancy and preschool years have better language skills…. In addition, parents who spend time reading to their children create nurturing relationships, which is important for a child’s cognitive, language and social-emotional development. – American Academy of Pediatrics

Through reading, we teach our babies about the world around them. Reading is such a magical part of childhood, so I believe it’s never too early to build your baby’s library and start reading to them. It’s a great way to connect and build your child’s language skills.

In a sea of children’s books, I’ve put together this list of the best baby books for your baby’s starter library – according to my boys. Below are our 25 favorite children’s books for your baby’s first year. We hope you find some unexpected titles you and your baby will love!

Even the youngest of babies can benefit from seeing the pictures in books and following the patterns and rhythms of your voice as you read. Even as new parents, you can start making a habit of reading to your kids as soon as they’re a few weeks old. Hearing the sound of your voice will offer so many benefits, even at this young age.

Then, once you have established some routines and gotten into a groove, introduce reading into your baby’s bedtime routine (the 4 Bs: books, bath, breastmilk or bottle, bed). And then try to stick to this daily and truly make reading a priority in your home.

I subscribe to the idea that if you aren’t reading, you aren’t learning. And this goes double for my kids!

Though your baby may not comprehend what you are saying, they will take in everything they hear and see when you read together. And before you know it, your baby will be reciting their favorite books along with you.

Here are a few tips to make reading a magical experience for you both:

• Cuddle with your baby while reading
• Make reading fun by using silly voices and an enthusiastic tone
• Give reading your undivided attention
• Read at your baby’s pace; don’t rush through a book
• Point to the pictures and talk about them
• Let them look at the pictures before you turn the page
• Let your baby touch the book if they are interested
• Don’t worry about variety; kids love repetition
• Schedule reading time into your daily routines

Related: 20+ Best Baby Songs to Sing to Your Baby

Here is my list of the 25 best baby books for your baby’s first year. It was difficult to limit this list to only 25 titles because there are so many great books from some of our favorite authors, like Caroline Jayne Church and Sandra Boynton.

But these books below will give you plenty of variety and age-appropriate reading for your baby’s first year. (Note: unless otherwise indicated, I recommend buying board books for your baby because they will last longer than traditional hardcover books.)

1) Look Look by Peter Linenthal

Buy on Amazon | Target

Best for newborns and younger babies, Look Look is a high-contrast board book that is perfect for helping your little one develop their eyesight. My littlest gets very excited when he sees this book. It’s also a very quick read, which is perfect for babies 0-3 months of age. It’s also a great book to use during baby’s tummy time.

2) Indestructibles: Baby Faces by Kate Merritt

Indestructibles Books have to be the coolest books for babies. These baby-proof books can’t be ripped (seriously!) and can withstand even the largest puddles of drool. If they get dirty, they can be thrown in the wash. They feature bright, colorful illustrations that make this line of books one of our top picks for your baby’s home library.

While there are plenty of Indestructibles to choose from , I like the Baby Faces book because babies love looking at faces and in theory, this helps build empathy (though it might be a bit early for that). These books are short and sweet and perfect for babies 6 months of age or less, though even toddlers might like to look at them every now and then. They’re perfect for curious, little hands.

3) Ten Tiny Toes by Caroline Jayne Church

Written by one of our favorite authors, Ten Tiny Toes is a sweet ode to your baby that teaches the body parts. As always, Church’s illustrations are adorable and the rhyming text is short, sweet, and perfectly written.

4) When the World Was Waiting For You by Gillian Shields  

Any list of the best baby books would be incomplete without When the World Was Waiting For You . This is the first baby book that I bought for my oldest, and we both still love reading it three years later. This sweet, loving story tells your baby about what it was like before they were born: the excitement in the air and the eager anticipation of their arrival. This is one of my go-to baby shower gifts and a must for every baby’s library. Just a great book overall!

5) Baby Touch & Feel: Animals

Baby Touch & Feel books are great for sensory learning and exploration. With different textures for your baby to explore through touch, they help your baby develop their fine motor skills. I love the Baby Touch & Feel: Animals book in particular because it also teaches the names of many different animals as well as the sounds they make.

6) First 100 Words by Roger Priddy

A picture book that teaches your baby to identify different foods, pets and farm animals, toys, and items found around the house, First 100 Words is pretty much an essential book for babies. It teaches your baby simple words like car, duck, and dog, but in a fun and exciting way.

The images are brightly colored and the book itself is small enough to be tucked into your diaper bag . The bright colors are visually stimulating and great for babies.

7) Moo, Baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton

File this one under SILLY! Moo, Baa, La La La is a board book for babies that has fun with different animal sounds. This is one book where you can really make reading to your baby fun and silly.

8) I Love You, Daddy and I Love You, Mommy by Edie Evans

Two simple rhyming books about how much a child loves their parents, the I Love You Books are sweet and well-written. Told from the child’s perspective, they tell their parents what they like about the different activities they do together. You’ll be able to read these books with your baby well into toddlerhood.

9) Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

One of the best classic books that makes it onto nearly any list of the best baby books, Goodnight Moon is a perfect read for the end of the day. As he gets ready to sleep, a little bunny says goodnight to everything around him. The pacing is perfect, and there’s just something sweet and special about this book. This classic book is a definite must for every starter library!

Reader tip: follow the clock as the pages go on and you’ll see just how long it takes little bunny to fall asleep in this beloved, classic baby book.

10) The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

One of many Boynton books to make this list, The Going to Bed Book is one of our favorites. It’s another great read for the end of the day that mixes in a little silliness with some soothing, calming text. We love this book!

11)  Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss

I love silly children’s books, so it’s probably no surprise to see a Dr. Seuss book on this list. Mr. Brown can make all sorts of fun sounds; he can buzz like a bee and moo like a cow. All of these silly sounds make for one fun read! Don’t leave this one off your list.

12) I Will Love You Forever by Caroline Jayne Church

This sweet book expresses a parent’s unconditional love to your baby – from the very first moment you met them and as they continue to grow. I have to admit I usually fight back tears when I read this to my oldest. This wonderful book builds your baby’s confidence by letting them know you love them always,  unconditionally. Definitely add this one to your baby’s library.

13) Dr. Seuss’s ABC by Dr. Seuss

This is a silly ABC book that makes little sense – but kids love it! And, I think it teaches the alphabet very effectively to babies at a very young age. If you buy this, be sure to buy the hardcover and *not* the board book because the board book has been shortened and loses some of its charm.

14) Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

This is one of our favorites! It tells the story of a little nutbrown hare who is trying to tell the big nutbrown hare just how much he loves him. He goes above and beyond to express his love. It’s so sweet and very well-written. A must have in every baby’s starter library.

15) Good Night, I Love You by Caroline Jayne Church  

Good Night, I Love You is a sweet story about getting ready for bed. From taking a bath and brushing their teeth, the little boy and girl in this story go through the bedtime routine, as told through short and sweet rhymes. It’s short enough that you could read it to a younger baby but is also appropriate for your baby well into toddlerhood.

16) Baby Happy, Baby Sad by Leslie Patricelli  

Baby Happy, Baby Sad is quite possibly one of the most underrated children’s books! Through a series of pictures, the book shows the main character (a cute, nameless baby who only wears a diaper most of the time) in different scenarios where he is either happy or sad. For example, he is happy when he is holding an ice cream cone and sad when he drops it. What I love about this book is that it is a great tool for teaching empathy. I love to explain what is happening in the photos and then ask my toddler which one he thinks the baby is sad or happy in and why.

17) Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton

This book is so much fun to read! It’s a square dance song for barnyard animals, wish such lines as “Bow to the horse. Bow to the cow. Twirl with the pig if you know how.” This is a great, high-energy read that is sure to engage your baby and create lasting memories for you both.

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

On each page, we meet a new animal that describes what they see: “I see a yellow duck looking at me”. The words follow a repetitive pattern, making it a fun and educational read for your baby. I like this book for older babies, 10-12 months of age and older. I also used this to practice baby sign language with my oldest and it was very helpful.

19) God Bless You and Good Night by Hannah C. Hall

This is a sweet book that takes your baby through the bedtime routine and ends with a simple prayer: God bless you and good night. On each page, the book’s beautiful illustrations show a baby animal and their family as they are getting ready for bed.

(Have you noticed a theme with all of the bedtime books on this list? Books about bedtime – or anything else your baby has to do – are really helpful!) This is another book I like to give as a gift.

20) Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae

All Gerald the Giraffe wants to do is dance in the jungle dance, but the other animals sneer at him because he isn’t a good dancer. Giraffes Can’t Dance is a beautiful, rhyming tale of a giraffe that finds the music inside himself and learns to dance. At the end, all the animals that laughed at him want to know how he learned to dance so beautifully. It’s well-written and beautifully illustrated and is a great read for your baby as they get a little closer to turning one, and will stay a part of your baby’s library for many years.

21) Where Is Baby’s Belly Button? by Karen Katz

A simple rhyming book with flaps for your baby to lift, Where Is Baby’s Belly Button? is an interactive book that is perfect for the youngest of readers. Interactive books like this are especially engaging and fun for babies during their awake/play times; don’t use a fun book like this right before naptime.

22)  I Love You Because You’re You by Liza Baker  

This is a book that should be in every home! It expresses unconditional love to your child by explaining that you will love them no matter what: when they are happy, when they are snuggly, when they yell, when they cry, when they are sick, and when they are silly. This is such an important concept to communicate to children and I find that this book does it perfectly.

If there were a perfect book for babies and toddlers, perhaps this would be it!

23) A to Z by Sandra Boynton  

I love teaching the alphabet through books, and A to Z is a short, fun, and simple book that gets the job done. I like reading this to my kids when they are even just a few months old. It’s so fun that it doesn’t really feel like you’re “teaching”.

24) Five Little Ducks by Raffi

This is a sing-along book for the “Five Little Ducks” song. (“Five little ducks went out one day, over the hills and far away…”). I love singing along to the pretty illustrations and it’s a fun book to read with your little one. We also love Raffi’s baby songs .

Based on the classic nursery rhyme, Five Little Ducks is sure to build wonderful memories for you and your littles!

25)  You Made Me a Mother by Laurenne Sala

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Another book I like to gift at baby showers , You Made Me a Mother is one of the most beautifully written children’s books. Told from the perspective of the mom, it expresses just how much a mom loves her baby. It is so beautiful and so perfectly expresses the overwhelming emotion that sums us motherhood, that it makes me cry every time I read it. 

You Might Also Like: The Best Bedtime Stories for Children

Reading with your baby will look a little different as they grow from stage to stage.

Newborns (0-3 Months): When your baby is in the newborn stage from months 0-3, they will be growing rapidly and adjusting to their new environment outside of the womb. Reading gives them an opportunity to help develop their eyesight, so board books with high-contrast colors such as red, black, and white will be visually stimulating and appropriate for this age. Sit on an armchair with your baby during their awake times and read 1-2 books per day. Let your baby have a chance to look at the pictures.

4-6 Months: During this stage, your baby will be more alert and attuned to the world around them. They’ll be more interactive than in the newborn stage, and will have become familiar with your daily activities and routines. (This is one of my favorite stages!) Reading begins to take on a more important role in your baby’s day and they’ll love seeing vivid colors and bright pictures. At this stage, you could introduce short board books with 1-2 sentences per page. Your little one will be captivated by what they see and will be exploring the world around them by touching things and putting them in their mouth – including books. Let them play with durable board books, Indestructibles, and sensory books that have different textures they can play with.

7-9 Months: During this stage, your baby will be more mobile and will show more interest in reading with you. This is a great time to begin introducing picture books that teach animals, colors, and more. Babies also love to look at faces, so this is the perfect age to read picture books with pictures of babies. At this age, your baby may not be able to sit still for very long so try to read to them in short increments throughout the day.

10-12 Months: As your baby gets closer to their first birthday, they will become more engaged with what you are reading. They might be a wiggle worm who loves to move around but you can still get in plenty of reading together because their attention span is growing. This is the age I like to bring some teaching books like an alphabet book or some longer stories with more words.

Still, I like to read above my children’s reading level so I would read any of the books to my baby from about 3 months on.

Did you find some great books for your baby? It was hard to choose just 25, but that does it for my list of the 25 best baby books for your baby’s first year.

If you’d like to look at books beyond baby’s first year, I would encourage you to buy the full collection of Laura Numeroff “If You Give” books as well as other favorites like “ Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site ” and “ The Very Hungry Caterpillar “. They are fun and silly and very toddler-friendly. You can also check out our recommendations for the best toddler books .

What are some of your favorite baby books? Let me know in the comments! I hope you found some new gems to add to your baby’s library. And I wish you lots of baby snuggles and reading time together.

You Might Also Like:

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• 50+ Best Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers
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MEET THE AUTHOR

Yasmine moussa.

Founder and Chief Mama Officer of The Gentle Nursery. Yasmine is the founder of The Gentle Nursery as well as the CEO of Biomeology , a prenatal wellness company. She is a wife, proud mom of two boys, a graduate of the University of Southern California, and a Functional Nutrition Coach. With a 10-year background in research, analytics, and leadership for a Fortune 100 company, Yasmine applies the same principles and attention to detail to every article she writes and researches.

Reader Interactions

October 12, 2018 at 11:15 pm

Thanks a lot for this list! Look,Look is great for tummy time! And I was able to find Guess how much I love you in French and English and Leo loves it.

October 14, 2018 at 7:34 am

Awesome! So glad it’s helpful ????

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Great Books to Read to Infants and Toddlers

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Many families are familiar with classic books like  Goodnight Moon  and read them over and over with their very youngest children. Here are some more recent titles and reissues you and your baby will both love.

(Note: Many of these books are available in Spanish, and can be purchased as a hardcover, paperback, or board book.)

A phenomenal book to read with your baby! Mem Fox uses rhyme and repetition to create a multicultural book about something all different babies have in common: ten little fingers and ten little toes. After each baby is introduced, the same reassuring refrain follows, like this first pair that opens the book: "There was one little baby / who was born far away. / And another who was born / on the very next day. / And both of these babies, / as everyone knows, / had ten little fingers / and ten little toes.” Mem includes interesting phrases like  sneezes and chills , and  truly divine . Together, she and illustrator Helen Oxenbury capture the feeling that there is something particularly captivating about those fingers and toes and something particularly lovable about all babies everywhere. “Do you have ten little fingers and ten little toes? Let’s count them.” 

Baby Bear  is the fourth book in a series that began 40 years ago, when Martin and Carle introduced the now-ubiquitous  Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? . The second in the series,  Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?  focuses on the sounds that animals make. The third book,  Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?  presents a collection of endangered animals.  Baby Bear  portrays North American animals and a baby bear’s bond with its mother. Your children will love Carle’s large double-page animals and Martin’s text, replete with interesting vocabulary (striped skunk, screech owl, gliding, hooting). Very young readers enjoy books with repetition, and  Baby Bear  contains the familiar word patterns found in other books in the series.  Try using the word pattern to say something to your own child. “My baby, my baby, what do you see? Do you see your mommy reading to you? I think you do.”

You have probably noticed how babies and toddlers are drawn to photographs of other babies. In this beautiful multicultural board book, babies from all over the world are captured in exquisite local clothing—decorative but not fancy. And even more intriguing than their outfits are their faces. These babies—from Mali to Malawi, from Peru to Afghanistan—seem to be “communicating” with the camera, and therefore with the reader. An excellent browsing book for your very young child.

Richard Scarry’s vivid illustrations come to life in these tall, slender, reissued board books. Scarry’s art is warm, expressive, and precise.  I Am a Bunny  depicts the small animal’s changing habits as one season turns into the next and the yearly cycle starts again. In  The Rooster Struts simple sentences describe how each animal moves: “The duck waddles. The goose waggles.” Word repetition, rhyme, and consistent pacing lend both books an element of poetry. The illustrations convey detail and suggest a sense of balance and order in the natural world. This is nonfiction-for- the-very-young at its best. Add your own action line to describe how your baby moves: “The baby stretches.”

Life on a farm can be noisy! Polacco uses lilting, repetitive language and rich watercolor illustrations to show various animal families and the sounds they make. “Dogs say buff, buff, buff. Sheep say baa, baa, baa. Geese say honk, honk, honk. Bunnies say nothing at all.” And what happens when all the animals speak up all at once, causing quite a ruckus when a baby is sleeping nearby? “Mommies say shhh, shhh, shhh.” A great read-aloud where you can invite your little one to chime in.  

Bears , written by Ruth Krauss and illustrated by Phyllis Rowand, was first published in 1948. Maurice Sendak was still an undiscovered artist at that time, but he and Krauss soon became close friends and collaborators. In this reissue,  Bears  has new illustrations by Sendak. Krauss’s charming story about bears and their fantastic habits now has a new twist. In addition to illustrating the bears, Sendak added a subplot: Max, the white-suited character from  Where the Wild Things Are , can be seen searching for his dog, who has snatched one of Max’s teddy bears. This is a piece of literary history and a seductive read for children.

“The words of nursery rhymes and songs gave both wings and roots to my soul,” says Alma Flor Ada, one of the book’s editors. ¡Pío Peep! compiles 29 rhymes and nursery songs from Spain and Latin America, lovingly selected favorites of these regions’ cultures. Accompanying English versions capture the essence and the beauty of the rhyme, so both English and Spanish versions are poetic and rhythmic, just as nursery rhymes should be. Having only one rhyme per page, with beautiful illustrations by Viví Escrivá, is age appropriate, without too many visual distractions or clutter. The watercolor illustrations have just the right amount of detail for young children. You will have fun introducing these nursery rhymes to your youngster.

This nonfiction board book highlights the common ways humans and animals take care of their babies. “All families give kisses . . . share snacks . . . take baths, take naps, and say ‘I love you.’” Each double-page spread juxtaposes a human family and an animal family taking part in the same activity. The photos are clear and expressive, and who doesn’t like to see families taking care of their adorable babies, whether human, giraffe, or hippo?  Families  is an excellent introduction to the connections between all members of the animal kingdom.

Peekaboo Bedtime , a sequel to  Peekaboo Morning , is a turn-the-page guessing game about all those whom a boy sees on his way to bed. “Peekaboo! I see . . . my mommy[.] Peekaboo! I see . . . my blankie[.]” Each page contains a visual clue about what he’ll discover on the following page. Bright illustrations depict a three-generation family, with several pets too. The book incorporates elements of a successful bedtime routine—waving to the moon, taking a bath, and replacing shoes with slippers. Both the family and the routine make for a comforting book about getting ready for bed. Use the the book’s refrain to describe something you see: “Peekaboo! I see . . . the blanket grandma made for you!”

Nobody does color like Lobel, and she devotes an entire page to the illustration of each of the farm animals featured in this day in the country. Painterly renditions of a cow, a sheep, a horse, and more are accompanied on the opposing pages by simple language describing what each animal “says” (moo, baa, neigh). Your young children can practice animal sounds as you read together. Lobel’s twist—telling readers what the animals are really saying—lends an element of discovery and delivers a satisfying wrap-up to the colorful day.

With 20 familiar rhymes on 40 pages, this Mother Goose collection covers the basics and accomplishes a lot more. Each rhyme is illustrated on a generously sized double-page spread, giving young children large close-ups of all the beloved Mother Goose characters. Humorous and folksy illustrations capture characters in happy-go-lucky (Peter, pumpkin eater), disheveled (Jack and Jill rolling down the hill), shocked (Little Miss Muffet), and oblivious (Little Boy Blue) states. Although wonderful to read to babies and toddlers, older children will also enjoy the rebus puzzle component: about one word per line in each rhyme is replaced with a picture that must be “read” as part of the text. In the first line of “Little Boy Blue” (“Little Boy Blue, come, blow your horn!”), a picture of a horn replaces the word horn. Because of the nature of the illustrations and the rebus puzzles, this book can be enjoyed by the whole family.

“Welcome to the farm,” Wendell Minor writes in the opening to  My Farm Friends , warmly beckoning readers. Each turn of the page introduces one or two farm animals and teaches interesting facts and habits about each one with humor and rhyme. “Pigs can’t sweat / Or jump in a pool / So they roll in the mud / That’s how they stay cool.” Wendell’s love of animals will be clear when you read the book’s dedication, in which he reminisces about loving his family farm as a child. Children will see the care he has put into illustrating each animal. He captures a pig’s knowing glance, a sheep’s tender nuzzle of her lamb, and the gentleness of a goat’s droopy eyes and soft lips as it chews a stolen bandana. You can share with your children the additional fascinating facts about the animals found at the back.   

Source: Book descriptions adapted from The Reading Chair column that has been published in each issue of  Young Children  since 2005. Isabel Baker has been writing the column since 2005, and Miriam Baker Schiffer joined as coauthor in 2007.

Best 6 Month Old Books for Early Learning

As little ones blossom from infancy into curious explorers, the best 6 month old books become invaluable tools in their developmental treasury. The period between six and twelve months is ripe with potential, with babies keenly attuned to their burgeoning senses and newfound abilities. An array of educational books for 6 month olds awaits, each designed to captivate, nurture, and enchant those rapidly expanding minds. Parents who are on a quest for the most popular books for 6 month olds can delight in the abundance of options—from the softest sensory books to the most colorful board books—each promising to be a gateway to discovery and joy.

Table of Contents

Key takeaways, importance of introducing colors and shapes, the role of human faces and animal types in early learning, selecting books that encourage movement and interaction, top sensory books for 6 month olds, combining classic nursery rhymes with engaging illustrations, why rhyme and repetition matter, lift-the-flap and textured books, sound books: listening and learning fun, 6 month old books for bedtime routines, fostering a lifetime love for reading, fitting storytime seamlessly into daily routines, educational books for 6 month olds: foundations of learning, time-tested classics and modern must-haves, what makes a baby book popular and endearing, developmental books for early learners: a focus on growth, source links.

• Books for 6 month olds serve as a cornerstone for visual and sensory development.
• Educational content for this age should prioritize vibrant visuals and tactile experiences.
• The most popular baby books often combine classic narratives with engaging, modern illustrations.
• It’s essential for children’s books to drive cognitive development through interactive play.
• Reading at this stage sets the stage for lifelong learning and a deep love for literature.
• Choosing the right books can help cater to an infant’s growing curiosity about the world around them.
• Storytime is not just about reading—it’s about bonding, exploring, and growing together.

The Magic of Reading to Your 6 Month Old

Embarking on the literary journey with your infant is an enchanting experience that lays the groundwork for future growth and development. As babies advance through the half-year mark, the literary landscape expands to feature an array of developmental books for 6 month olds , brimming with color, interaction, and exploration.

Integrating books that illuminate the world in a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors is more than mere entertainment; it’s a strategy to ignite cognitive development and visual tracking skills. Such stimulating visual content captivates and holds the attention of little ones, fostering their burgeoning curiosity and understanding.

The stark contrasts that once held your baby’s gaze are now the foundations upon which a more vivid world is constructed. Through interactive books for 6 month olds , the introduction of varied hues and geometries is not just visually stimulating; it’s vital for their perception of the encompassing environment.

Recognizing the human visage and diverse fauna is an intrinsic part of a child’s early social and environmental understanding. Illustrated with care and precision, books featuring faces and animals serve as mirrors to reality, helping infants in making sense of the world’s complex tapestry of creatures and cultures.

The act of reaching out to touch a textured surface or to turn a flap encourages physical engagement that harmonizes with mental stimulation. Books that promote clapping, pointing, and babbling play a dynamic role in physical coordination and language acquisition, defining a holistic learning encounter for the child.

For parents seeking the right 6 month old books , those brimming with interactivity, colorful imagery, and the essence of nature’s variety, mark the essential next chapter in their child’s educational odyssey. Striking the delicate balance between enjoyment and education, the selected reads nurture not only the intellect but the bond between parent and child in these formative months.

When it comes to nurturing a baby’s burgeoning senses, sensory books for 6 month olds stand out as essential tools for development. These books offer a tapestry of tactile experiences—smooth, bumpy, soft, and everything in between—drawing little ones into a world of exploration. Beyond the tactile, these colorful books engage vision, promoting an understanding of the vibrant environment around them. With interactive books for 6 month olds , parents can deepen the sensory experience, offering opportunities for babies to grip, turn, and even taste these literary delights.

The tactile journey that baby books for 6 month olds offer is foundational for sensory development. The variation in materials used in these books sparks curiosity, leading babies to discover how different surfaces feel and sound. This multi-sensory approach does more than entertain; it opens gateways to cognitive pathways that are forming during this crucial developmental period.

Babies are instinctively drawn to new sensory stimuli, which makes these carefully curated sensory books for 6 month olds an indispensable addition to any infant’s library. Each page turn is an invitation to engage, eliciting giggles and surprises as they make contact with the unexpected. Notably, the resilience of such interactive books allows for a worry-free exploration, ensuring durability even in the most curious of little hands (and mouths).

The simple act of reading paired with sensory stimulation strengthens the bond between parent and child—a connection underscored by mutual discovery. This formative experience not only enriches their sensory repertoire but fortifies the emotional ties that make these moments inextricably woven into the fabric of early childhood development. By incorporating sensory books for 6 month olds into daily routines, parents pave the way for meaningful sensory and interactive play that sets the stage for lifelong learning.

Board Books to Nurture Early Language Development

For parents and educators, the significance of board books for 6 month olds in nurturing the initial stages of language development cannot be overstated. At this pivotal point in a child’s growth, the introduction of literature is not simply to entertain but to lay a profound foundation for language and communication skills. These foundational developmental books for 6 month olds serve as more than just a medium for storytelling; they are precursors to linguistic proficiency and childhood literacy.

Classic nursery rhymes have stood the test of time, nurturing generations of children through their formative years. These rhymes become even more powerful when paired with vibrant, engaging illustrations. The visual stimuli of these illustrations in best books for 6 month olds bolster children’s imaginations and augment the rhythmic cadences of the rhymes. This combination supports memory retention, ensures the enjoyment of the reading experience, and helps build a connection to the written word that will last well into their later years.

When it comes to early childhood education, rhyme and repetition are principles that resonate deeply within the framework of learning. Rhymes within the board books for 6 month olds showcase a playful use of language and sound, creating a natural yearning for speech and auditory exploration. The repetitive nature of these rhymes fortifies neural pathways, making it simpler for young children to grasp the basics of language structure and phonetics. The act of repetition also brings rhythm and predictability to the reading process, a comfort to the young listener and an aid in the natural acquisition of language.

As a practical example, the cherished book “The Wheels on the Bus” – with its recurring phrases and melodic meter – becomes more than just a singalong favorite; it’s a potent tool for cultivating early speech and auditory discrimination. Similarly, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” provides an opportunity to engage with the predictability of repeating sentences alongside the curiosity of anticipating which animal will appear next, fostering both conversational skills and creative anticipation.

The continued popularity and efficacy of nursery rhyme board books for 6 month olds are due in no small part to their inherent ability to make language fun, accessible, and memorable. By incorporating these carefully selected developmental books for 6 month olds into their daily routine, parents provide their infants with the key for unlocking the treasure of language, setting the stage for the many wonders of literacy that lie ahead.

Interactive Books for 6 Month Olds

As infants reach the half-year mark, the world of interactive books for 6 month olds opens up, offering rich experiences that stimulate their growing senses and developing motor skills. These educational books for 6 month olds not only provide delightful storytelling but also facilitate essential developmental milestones through engaging and playful interaction.

Lift-the-flap and textured books are a staple in the library of little learners. This type of 6 month old books is specifically designed to encourage curiosity and fine motor skill development. By lifting flaps, babies learn the concept of cause and effect and nurture their spatial awareness, while different textures under their fingertips support tactile exploration and sensory processing.

Interactive elements in books for 6 month olds provide an immersive literary playground where infants can experience the joy of discovery with each turn of the page.

Below is a selection of books that incorporate these interactive features, empowering parents and caregivers to create a dynamic reading environment:

Sound books present an auditory adventure for young ears, blending colorful illustrations with real-life sounds. These interactive books for 6 month olds bring stories to life and support language acquisition through hearing and identification. By pressing buttons and hearing corresponding noises, babies build associative skills between sounds and the images they see, a crucial step in auditory and cognitive development.

• Sounds of farm animals can teach babies to match noises with visuals of the respective creatures.
• Nursery rhyme books with built-in sound modules encourage children to engage with rhythm and melody.
• Nature sounds integrated into stories can expand an infant’s awareness of the world beyond their immediate surroundings.

The incorporation of sounds into reading time amplifies the sensory experience, making it a fun and rewarding activity that can captivate and teach simultaneously. Such books are designed to enchant and educate, setting little ones on an early path of auditory discovery and a growing appreciation for the soundscapes of storytelling.

Establishing a bedtime routine is integral to the development of young infants, providing them with the comfort and predictability needed for a restful night. Among the array of tools parents use to craft these routines, 6 month old books reign as a tranquil cornerstone, seamlessly blending education with relaxation. The best books for 6 month olds at bedtime are those that envelop the nightscape in a gentle lull, carrying both caregiver and child through a world of serene narratives and soothing visuals.

In the quiet moments before sleep, the rhythmic cadence of parental voices reading aloud from board books for 6 month olds becomes a signal to wind down, as eyes flutter to the lilt of soft-spoken words and tender illustrations. This nightly tradition not only fosters an environment conducive to sleep but also instills a nascent love for reading and a companionship with books.

“Books at bedtime create a sanctuary of calm, guiding babies through dreamscapes of imagination before they drift into slumber.”

Bedtime books often feature counting sequences or tales of nighttime wonder, gently nudging babies toward the land of dreams while subtly reinforcing cognitive skills. Such books are cherished not just for their narrative but for the whisper of numbers, the turn of pages—a ballet of senses towards sleep.

The potent blend of narrative charm and educational subtlety found in the best books for 6 month olds makes them not just a tool for teaching but a rite of passage into a world where learning and leisure converge under the calming veil of night. As infants grow, the stories read at bedtime become interwoven with their own dreams, memories, and the irreplaceable warmth of time spent in the glow of a reading light, deepening the roots of lifelong learning engraved within these quiet moments.

6 Month Old Books: Starting the Journey of Reading

The introduction of baby books for 6 month olds marks the early chapters in a child’s lifelong journey with literature. These first pages read to an infant can spark an enduring affinity for storytelling, knowledge, and imagination that stretches far beyond these formative years. As babies grow more aware of their surroundings and develop their cognitive abilities, the books we share with them become key tools for discovery and bonding.

To guide little ones on this path, books lined with cuddly characters and tales reflecting simple life routines are instrumental. Best books for 6 month olds fit effortlessly into the nooks and crannies of daily life, allowing storytime to harmoniously intersect with bath time, mealtime, or playtime. This integration instils a love for reading at the earliest opportunity and fortifies a routine that interweaves learning with life’s simplest moments.

By introducing sensory books for 6 month olds , parents can spark a profound appreciation for the textures, sounds, and colors that books offer. Embracing tales that center around familiar experiences or endearing creatures makes the act of reading all the more personal and enjoyable, which is essential in creating positive associations with books for a lifetime.

Within the myriad activities that make up an infant’s day, reading often becomes a heartwarming interlude. Carefully chosen 6 month old books that mirror daily tasks not only provide contextually relevant narratives but also pave the way for literacy to be housed within the framework of regular activities. The result? Storytime becomes a treasured ritual, eagerly anticipated by parent and child alike.

The rhythmic lull of a parent’s voice reading aloud can weave itself into the fabric of early memories, culminating in a deep-rooted love for the stories shared and the moments spent together in literary wonder.

The journey of learning begins in the earliest stages of life, with educational books for 6 month olds playing a critical role. For a baby, each book is a treasury of new concepts, medley of colors, and ensemble of shapes that cultivate a rich sensory and learning environment. When these elements come together in developmental books for 6 month olds , they create a vibrant symphony that sings to curious young minds, heightening their understanding and fostering word recognition.

Illustrations in vivid detail are more than mere decoration; they are an integral part of the learning process, forming clear connections in the baby’s mind between words and the wondrous world around them. Engaging their visual senses, board books for 6 month olds often incorporate everyday scenes and items, serving as visual aids to accompany the gentle rhythm of parental narration.

Language development at this stage is particularly receptive to the strategic introduction of sign language, which is a visual means of communication that supplements and enriches verbal development.

Books with simple language and clear imagery lay down pathways in a baby’s brain, setting the stage for a lifelong journey of learning and discovery.

The table below presents a selection of highly-regarded educational books designed for infants, focusing on their content and the ways in which they support foundational learning:

A well-chosen book can offer more than just time for cooing and cuddling—it’s an integral part of sensory and language development for a 6-month-old. With the turn of every page, babies expand their understanding, laying down the building blocks for future verbal and visual comprehension. Parents who diligently select educational books for 6 month olds ensure a robust foundation of learning that promises benefits extending far beyond these tender months.

Popular Books for 6 Month Olds: Parental Favorites

As young families navigate the literary landscape, they often find themselves returning to the cozy nooks of time-tested tales and the fresh horizons of modern must-haves. These popular books for 6 month olds have cemented their place in the hearts of families, resonating through their charming narratives and the tender bonds they forge between parent and child.

There is an undeniable charm in sharing a book with your little one that you, too, once enjoyed as a child. This nostalgic journey through 6 month old books stands as a tribute to the enduring magic of stories passed down through generations. Yet, the allure of discovering new titles together refreshes the joy of reading and adds to the rich tapestry of a child’s growing world.

Among the myriad of options, certain books have become staples in nurseries across the globe. They continue to be chosen not only for their delightful content but also for their ability to support developmental milestones synonymous with half a year of growth.

The criteria for what makes a book a favorite among the myriad of best books for 6 month olds are as varied as the little readers themselves. Nonetheless, certain attributes consistently capture the adulation of parents and the curiosity of babies.

• Endearing Characters: Relatable and charming characters spark imagination and emotional connection.
• Repetitive, Soothing Cadences: The rhythm and repetition within these books bring comfort and familiarity, key ingredients for an infant’s auditory development.
• Vivid Illustrations: Bright and engaging pictures not only catch the eye of young readers but also support visual tracking and cognitive recognition.
• Interactive Elements: Features like flaps, textures, and sounds transform reading time into an immersive, multi-sensory experience.

Moreover, the popularity of a book among six-month-old readers is often a testament to its appeal to the caregivers as well. The bond that reading creates, as families explore stories together, is what truly elevates a book to the status of ‘favorite’.

Below is a curated selection of books that have won the hearts of countless families, offering worlds of wonder for six-month-olds eager to touch, see, and hear.

The common thread among these cherished selections is their ability to engage, soothe, and educate. Each turn of the page is an opportunity to deepen the connection between the reader and the listener, bridging generations through the beautiful simplicity of a well-told tale.

The landscape of developmental books for 6 month olds is fertile ground for the seeds of early learning, nurturing both cognitive and emotional development in burgeoning young minds. These volumes are expressly designed with interactive elements that do more than just amuse; they cultivate crucial developmental milestones. Mirrors hidden within their pages do not merely reflect a baby’s image; they support burgeoning self-recognition and bolster awareness of the ‘self’ in the context of the broader world.

Educators and parents place high value on educational books for 6 month olds that engage infants in a broader dialogue with their environment. Cultural representation in these books is essential, offering a spectrum of skin tones, facial features, and a plethora of human emotions to explore. It’s an approach that doesn’t just educate but enriches young lives with empathy, making inclusiveness and diversity part of their early mold of understanding. Moreover, such books act as an interactive bridge connecting little ones to a world pulsating with varied emotions, and human conditions, encouraging them to recognize and embrace the multitude of expressions reflected back at them.

Beyond the aesthetics and tactile allure, interactive books for 6 month olds are fundamentally about growth. They serve as a microcosm of the world—an exhibit of nature, humanity, and the emotions that intertwine our lives. These books are more than mere pastime; they present a dynamic and interactive experience that supports the cultivation of a well-rounded, empathetic, and culturally aware individual. In the tender months of infancy, these books are invaluable companions that guide tiny learners along their early, exploratory paths toward responsible global citizenry and self-discovery.

What makes the best books for 6 month olds?

The best books for 6 month olds are those that cater to their developmental milestones and reading levels, such as board and sensory books with bright colors, simple illustrations, tactile experiences, and repetitive, rhyming text to nurture their curiosity and language skills.

Why are educational books important for 6 month olds?

Educational books for 6 month olds introduce basic concepts like colors, shapes, and numbers, and can include elements like photographs, simple language, and even sign language, laying essential foundations for learning and advancing language development.

What makes a book popular with 6 month olds and their parents?

Books become popular among this age group and their parents when they feature relatable characters, endearing stories, and soothing, repetitive cadences that appeal to both. Parental nostalgia and the potential for bonding over storytime also contribute to a book’s popularity.

How can reading introduce colors and shapes to a 6 month old?

Reading books with vibrant colors and clear shape depictions draws the attention of 6 month olds and helps them distinguish different visual patterns, fostering their recognition skills, which is a critical aspect of their visual development.

Why include books with human faces and animals in a 6 month old’s reading list?

Books with human faces and animals help 6 month olds recognize and differentiate between various facial structures, skin tones, and types of creatures, supporting their cognitive development and understanding of the diversity in the world around them.

How can books encourage movement and interaction for 6 month olds?

Books that include elements like flaps to lift and textures to touch engage 6 month olds in physical activity, enhancing their motor skills. Interactive books also promote cause-and-effect learning when babies make movements in response to the book’s features.

What are the best sensory books for 6 month olds?

Sensory books ideal for 6 month olds provide various textures, colors, and interactive elements such as flaps and mirrors. These elements offer tactile experiences that stimulate the child’s senses and support their sensory development.

What is the role of classic nursery rhymes in early language development?

Classic nursery rhymes in books serve an important role in early language development by familiarizing infants with the sounds and rhythms of language. The repetition helps with memory retention and laying the groundwork for future reading and speaking skills.

Why do lift-the-flap and textured books appeal to 6 month olds?

Lift-the-flap and textured books captivate 6 month olds because of the surprise element and the tactile experience they offer. Engaging with these books fosters curiosity, encourages exploration, and enhances hand-eye coordination.

How do sound books support a 6 month old’s auditory learning?

Sound books enrich a 6 month old’s auditory learning by coupling lifelike sounds with images, helping to establish connections between the sounds they hear and the corresponding visuals, which promotes auditory recognition and cognitive development.

Why are books important for a 6 month old’s bedtime routine?

Incorporating books into a 6 month old’s bedtime routine can provide comfort and a sense of routine, while gently introducing educational concepts like numbers and narratives, aiding in winding down and preparing for sleep in a soothing manner.

How can reading foster a lifelong love of literature?

By introducing enjoyable and relevant books early on in a child’s life and embedding reading into daily routines, parents can create positive associations with books, fostering a lifelong love for reading and literature.

How does fitting storytime into daily routines benefit a 6 month old?

Integrating storytime into daily activities such as mealtime or bath time normalizes reading, making it a familiar and anticipated part of a child’s day. This consistent exposure to books cultivates an early habit of reading and learning.

What are some developmental goals that books for 6 month olds can support?

Books for 6 month olds can support developmental goals like language acquisition, sensory exploration, emotional understanding, and cognitive growth, including self-awareness, concept of cause-and-effect, and familiarity with diversity and inclusivity.

• https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/best-books-6-to-12-months
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/best-baby-books/
• https://bookswithbaby.com/2020/11/16/12-of-the-best-interactive-books-for-babies-and-toddlers/

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The best books for babies: 12+ Picks for every age

It's never too early to get started.

By Justine Lorelle LoMonaco Updated March 23, 2023

We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy.

Reading to baby doesn’t come naturally for every parent, especially when your little one is too young to truly interact during reading time. But with every page turned, you’re stimulating cognitive development and helping to establish a love of reading that will last long past the toddler years.

If you are looking for a few perfect books to add to your child’s collection, we have the scoop on the best types of books to promote cognitive development and a lifelong passion for reading. (And if you want more, check out our favorite board books for babies. )

“These early rituals, even before a baby knows what a book is, set up reading as a loving and nurturing interaction with you that your child equates with books as they grow up,” explains Tovah P. Klein, PhD, director of Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and author of How Toddlers Thrive: What Parents Can Do Today for Children Ages 2-5 to Plant the Seeds of Lifelong Success .

Related: When to start reading to baby: What the data say

Best books for newborns (0-3 months): high-contrast books

If you want to stimulate your newborn’s senses, think high contrast.

Research indicates that high-contrast colors like black and white register most strongly in a baby’s brain and help the optic nerve to grow.

Read your newborn books featuring high-contrast images and graphics (we love Art-Baby’s “ Spots and Dots by Chez Picthall ” and “ Hello, Bugs!” by Smriti Prasadam and Emily Bolam ) and watch their little eyes dance.

“No need to read every word or comment on every picture,” Klein said. “The important piece is that books are part of your routines and loving time together.”

Spots and Dots

Hello, Bugs!

Black & White

Best books for 4- to 6-month-old babies: tactile books.

Odds are, your little one won’t start turning the pages (or even paying much attention to them)  until they’re a few months old . Till then, maximize their interest by capitalizing on their love of touching everything around them.

Tactile books that let your baby shake, grab and stroke are the perfect solution, like “ Old Macdonald: A Hand-Puppet Board Book ” from Little Scholastic. Lean toward sturdy books made of vinyl or cloth that will stand up to a few chews. Switch to board books around six months to encourage little fingers to start turning pages.

“Scaffold your child’s attempts at turning pages by separating pages when you are finished reading each page. This will give your child a cue that it is time to move to the next page and will help to develop fine motor skills. If your little one has trouble turning pages independently, don’t worry: Many children won’t master this skill for a couple more years!” says Dr. Holly Ruhl, PhD.

Old MacDonald Hand-Puppet Board Book

TouchThinkLearn: ABC

Baby Animals

Best books for 6- to 12-month-old babies: rhyming books.

When it comes to  what  you’re reading with your 6- to 12-month-old, it’s rhyme time.

Rhyming books create a nurturing environment for kids by using simple patterns they can learn to predict (key to establishing a lifelong love of reading). Plus, they help babies learn how vowels and consonants sound and come together to form words. Rhymes also help children to  easily memorize and recall  content from beloved books by establishing patterns and sequences, increasing their impact on a child’s cognitive development.

We love “ Hush Little Polar Bear ” and other classic rhyming books like “ Go, Dog Go! “

Hush Little Polar Bear

Go, Dog, Go!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See

Best books for older babies and toddlers: a classic that mama loves, too.

As your child gets older, adjust what you’re reading accordingly.

Children’s versions of classic books can be just as entertaining for you, mama, which will make you more likely to stick with a reading routine. We love the BabyLit collection of children’s books based on classics, like “ Dracula ”  and “ Alice in Wonderland “.

Regardless of what you and your little one choose to read, the most effective way to promote a love of reading is to start a daily reading routine as soon as possible. “And no, beginning during pregnancy is not too early, mama. Babies begin listening to you around week 16 and can even remember words and stories after they are born!” explains Ruhl.

Don’t worry if it doesn’t seem like your baby actually  gets  reading—spending time each day curled up with a book will give your child positive associations with reading, creating a lifelong habit before they can even read a word.

In fact, according to the  Children’s Reading Foundation , the simple act of reading with your child for at least 20 minutes each day may be one of the most important things you can do to promote socio-emotional development as well as necessary pre-literacy skills.

Alice in Wonderland

Best books for all babies and toddlers: a bedtime story.

Read to your baby from day one. There’s no sweeter way to do that than by introducing a bedtime story—even one you bring to the hospital with you!

We recommend choosing books focused on sleep or bedtime to help baby wind down in the evening. Have a stash of “bedtime books” within easy reach for baby to choose from, like “ A Book of Sleep ” or “ The Going-to-Bed Book “. You’re establishing routines that can even help baby to get her zzz’s. That’s good for you—and for baby.

A Book of Sleep

How to foster a love of reading.

Here are three tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics for creating lifelong readers from an early age:

1. Create a comforting environment

Make reading an integral part of your bedtime routine. Wind down from your day by cuddling up in cozy jammies and snuggling with baby as you turn a few pages.

Pro tip: Active children can lose interest in a book after only a couple of minutes (okay, seconds!). That’s why it is so important to make whatever limited time you can dedicate to reading as focused as possible. That means turning off the TV and cell phone. We know that’s a tricky one!

“Sitting with a book, turning pages, pointing to pictures and being together provides a quiet and fun way to spend time with your little one,” Klein says. “It’s not about getting through the whole book or making your child stay still. What they will take from it is the time with mommy.”

Related: The best bedtime books for babies

2. Make reading come to life

A newborn may not know how to read, but she knows she prefers the sound of her mother’s voice—even as early as two days after being born ! Capitalize on that natural preference for your voice by reading books with emotion and over-the-top expressions to keep things interesting.

3. Ask questions to bring the story into the real world

As your child gets older, reading can be a safe time to talk about feelings . Start when your child is young by asking ancillary questions about books, such as, “What does the cow say?” or “Where is the yellow flower?” to broaden their vocabulary. As your tot advances, use characters in books to discuss emotions or to motivate your child to think about abstract or imaginative situations.

Pro tip: “Make associations between a book and your baby or toddler’s experience: ‘Remember when we saw a dog at the park? It’s like the dog in this book,'” Klein suggests. “This builds vocabulary and helps your child move between books and the broader world in ways that have direct meaning to them.”

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Best baby books

• Best durable baby book : Let's Go Outside by Am Pixton and Ekaterina Trukhan
• Best board book : Corduroy by Don Freeman
• Best baby book about individuality : Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees
• Best lyrical baby book : Little You by Richard Van Camp and Julie Flett
• Best funny baby book : Belly Button Book by Sandra Boynton
• Best classic baby book : Dr. Seuss: Little Green Box of Bright and Early Board Books
• Best hide-and-seek baby book : Where is Maisy? by Lucy Cousins
• Best baby book about our bodies : Whose Knees are These? by Jabari Asam and LeUyen Pham
• Best book for newborns : I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth and Tim Warnes
• Best bilingual baby book : La Oruga Muy Hambrienta/The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Best baby book about dreams : The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin
• Best baby book about the alphabet : Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
• Best gamified baby book : Press Here by Herve Tullet
• Best baby book about counting : Ten Tiny Babies by Karen Katz
• Best colorful baby book : Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
• Best baby book about consequences : If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond
• Best book for preschoolers : Pete the Cat: Meet Pete by James Dean and Kimberly Dean
• Best sensory baby book : Baby Touch and Feel: Animals by DK

What to know about baby books

You'll probably spend hours reading to your little one, so choose books you'll both enjoy! We analyzed reviews in the BabyCenter Community to find the best baby books according to moms and dads, and added our editors' favorites, too. Here are the BabyCenter Love It Award winners for the best baby books.

Why trust us?

Best durable baby book, let's go outside by am pixton and ekaterina trukhan.

This vibrant, rhythmic book describes all the beautiful things you can see and do outdoors. This book is part of the indestructible book series, meaning it can stand up to anything your baby dishes out: It's waterproof, rip-proof, chew-proof, nontoxic, and even washable!

Best board book

Corduroy by don freeman.

This classic tale of friendship chronicles the midnight adventures of Corduroy, the stuffed bear, as he goes on an adventure in a department store to find his missing button. This is the board book version of the favorite 1960s picture book, and it's still a charmer.

Best baby book about individuality

Giraffes can't dance by giles andreae and guy parker-rees.

Gerald the Giraffe is mocked for his awkward dancing until he gets some good advice from his friend the cricket, who encourages him to embrace his own special style. This heartwarming board book has an easy to read, rhyming story and clever illustrations.

Best lyrical baby book

Little you by richard van camp and julie flett.

In this board book, lyrical prose and vivid illustrations show the wonder of bringing a child into the world. The author and illustrator are members of Canada's indigenous First Nations tribes, and bring a unique perspective to this beautiful book.

Best funny baby book

Belly button book by sandra boynton.

This silly story is one of many wildly popular board books by Sandra Boyton. The rhyming text provides plenty of opportunities to shout funny words (Bee bo!), and little ones will like the illustrations of a beach where bare-bellied hippos show off their belly buttons.

Best classic baby book

Dr. seuss: little green box of bright and early board books.

This set features four fantastic titles from the iconic children's book author: Fox in Socks , Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? , Dr. Seuss's ABC and There's a Wocket in my Pocket! All are fun, silly, and easy to read – and expose your child to colors, rhyming, animal sounds, letters, and general tomfoolery.

Best hide-and-seek baby book

Where is maisy by lucy cousins.

The Maisy books enchant kids with their bright, bold colors, and charmingly childlike drawings. Babies and toddlers will love lifting the flaps to try to find Maisy, and the flaps are sturdy enough to handle years of searching.

Best baby book about our bodies

Whose knees are these by jabari asam and leuyen pham.

Part of a series by Jabari Asim which includes Ten Tiny Fingers and Ten Little Toes , this board book is made for bonding time with your little one. Appealing illustrations and a sweet, rhyming story celebrate your child's knees in a playful way.

Best book for newborns

I love you to the moon and back by amelia hepworth and tim warnes.

Follow a mama bear and her cub through their day and see the special moments they share and the love between them. It's a sweet story with easy rhymes and vivid illustrations.

Best bilingual baby book

La oruga muy hambrienta/the very hungry caterpillar by eric carle.

Eric Carle's beautifully illustrated board book shows the life cycle of one very hungry caterpillar, following him as he chows down and then evolves into a beautiful butterfly. Little ones love to feel the small holes in the book that show the caterpillar's path through various foods. This version helps introduce kids to Spanish or English, and also helps to teach the days of the week and counting to five.

Best baby book about dreams

The wonderful things you will be by emily winfield martin.

With whimsical illustrations, this story encourages children to be creative, bold, and brave, and assures them of your unconditional love and support. (Warning: This book can make moms cry.) This is a hardcover picture book, not a board book, so it may get ripped or chewed.

Best baby book about the alphabet

Chicka chicka boom boom by bill martin jr. and john archambault.

With bold illustrations and rhythmic patterns, this board book tells a silly story of letters crowding to the top of a coconut tree. It's fun to read, and little ones may want to chime in loudly with the singsongy text.

Best gamified baby book

Press here by herve tullet.

Reading becomes a playful, interactive game with this vibrant board book. Simple text and bright illustrations teach colors and numbers and invite children to practice following simple instructions, such as pressing dots, blowing on the pages, and clapping their hands – with delightful results.

Best baby book about counting

Ten tiny babies by karen katz.

Babies and toddlers love to be the star of the show, and are mesmerized by Karen Katz's books, which put little ones at center stage. This board book follows ten babies as they get ready for bed after a long day of play. It's a perfect bedtime book that teaches counting in a fun and rhythmic way.

Best colorful baby book

Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see by bill martin jr. and eric carle.

This classic board book features singsong text and big, bold illustrations. Each page introduces a new colorful animal and asks: What do you see?

Best baby book about consequences

If you give a mouse a cookie by laura numeroff and felicia bond.

A boy shares a cookie with a mouse, and unleashes a host of unexpected consequences. It's a nice introduction to the concept of cause and effect and shows the value of determination. This set doubles the fun with two board books – If you Give a Mouse a Cookie and If You Take a Mouse to School .

Best book for preschoolers

Pete the cat: meet pete by james dean and kimberly dean.

The Pete the Cat series is super popular with preschoolers, who love the easygoing cat's mellow approach to life. Meet Pete introduces babies and toddlers to Pete and his friends, setting the stage for the books that follow. The sturdy board book is a quick, simple read with engaging illustrations.

Best sensory baby book

Baby touch and feel: animals by dk.

Animals are almost always a big hit with little people, and this book lets your child reach out and feel each one, with textured fabric standing in for feathers or fur. This book has simple text, bright visuals, and is great for sensory and tactile stimulation.

Reading to your baby is a wonderful chance to bond, cuddle, foster a love of books, and encourage your baby's language development. Reading introduces your little one to stories and concepts such as numbers, letters, colors, shapes, and animals. It also builds memory and vocabulary skills. Plus, it's a soothing way to wind down at the end of the day as part of your bedtime routine.

Many babies won't sit still long enough for a full book, even if it's short. It's okay if your child loses interest after a few pages – just pick it back up another time. It's also fine if your baby is mostly interested in grabbing the book, chewing the pages, or dropping it. You can try to involve your baby in the story by pointing out funny parts or making conversation about what's happening.

As your child grows into toddlerhood, she'll probably be more engaged in books and will enjoy hearing you read the same ones over and over again. That's another reason why it's crucial to pick books that you like too! There are so many options to choose from – picture books, sturdy board books, soft baby books , classics, new hits, lift-the-flap and other interactive books, and more. For this list, we stuck mostly to board books and others that will stand up to baby abuse like chewing and ripping.

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Marcella Gates is Director of Content Operations at BabyCenter, the world's number one digital parenting resource, and is an expert on pregnancy and parenting. As a mom of three, she loves that her professional life is focused on supporting and empowering parents and expecting parents. Gates lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

Where to go next

Baby Essentials

20+ baby books for your little one’s first library.

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”

• 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

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 ”

• Box Set with 12 board books – $11.33
• Book Type & Material: Educational box set of board books
• Author: Editors of Phoenix International Publications
• Age Recommendations: Baby to two years old
• 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
• 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

• Included in the Monti Kids Level 2 Montessori box of baby toys – $195 (subscription)
• Book Type & Material: Educational, wooden book
• Author: Monti Kids
• Age Recommendations: 4-6 months
• 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
• 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”

• Book Type & Material: Educational board book
• Author: Bloomsbury
• Age Recommendations: Baby to three years old
• Glossy embossed pictures
• Interactive book
• Includes animal names and the sound they make

5 . “ Goodnight Moon ”

• Book Type & Material: Educational bedtime story, cloth book
• Author: Margaret Wise Brown
• Age Recommendations: Infant to three years old
• 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.
• 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 ”

• Book Type & Material: Interactive book made of ultra-durable tight-woven material
• Author: Amy Pixton
• 100% washable, waterproof, chew-proof, rip-proof, and non-toxic book
• Encourages interaction
• Some complaints on Amazon that this book isn’t “indestructible” (as advertised)

7. “My First Touch and Feel Sound Book: Noisy Baby Animals ”

• Book Type & Material: Education and sensory board book
• Author: Patricia Hegarty
• Sensory book that includes different textures similar to the animals’ outer body covering
• Includes realistic baby animal sounds (requires batteries)
• 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”

• Book Type & Material: Sensory board book
• Author: Roger Priddy
• Stimulates curiosity through sensory play
• Includes finger trails to follow, raised textures to feel, and a shiny baby-safe mirror
• Some complaints on Amazon that the book easily comes apart after a few months of use

9. “ New York Baby”

• Board book – $8.95
• Hardcover – $8.88
• Author: Puck
• Age Recommendations: Baby to four years old
• 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.)
• Some complaints on Amazon that the book is “too simple”

10. “Baby University Board Book Set ”

• Box set with four board books – $25.06
• Author: Chris Ferrie
• Introduces basic STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) concepts
• 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 ”

• Author: Disney Books
• Favorite Disney characters are used to introduce common animals, toys, and objects.
• Organized by category
• Some complaints on Amazon that the book pages are “boring and completely random”

12. “ ABC for You”

• Book Type & Material: Educational, personalized book
• Author: Wonderbly
• 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.
• It’s pricier than most ABC books

13. “Hello, Baby Animals ”

• Book Type & Material: High-contrast, educational board book
• Author: Duopress Labs
• Age Recommendations: Baby up to one year old or up
• 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
• Some complaints on Amazon that the book had some inaccurate baby animal names and cultural stereotypes

14. “ I Love You All The Time”

• 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 Type & Material: Story book, board book
• Author: LOVEVERY
• Age Recommendations: 7-8 months old
• 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
• 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 !”

• Board book – $3.47
• Hardcover book – $4.99
• 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)
• Catchy rhyming phrases featuring animal sounds
• 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 ?”

• Board book – $12.99
• Book Type & Material: Interactive, lift-the-flap book
• Author: Karen Katz
• Interactive children’s book with easy-to-lift flaps
• Introduces young children to anatomy in a simple and fun way
• 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”

• Book Type & Material: Padded educational board book
• Contains 100 colorful photos of common objects for early learning
• Introduces your baby to a wide range of colors

18. “ Goodnight Little Me”

• Book Type & Material: Hardcover, personalized bedtime story book
• Author: I See Me!
• Age Recommendations: 0-6 years old
• 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
• Pricier than non-personalized books

19. “ Love You Forever ”

• Board book – $7.61
• Paperback – $4.98
• Hardcover – $11.69
• Electronic (Kindle) – $4.73
• Book Type & Material: Storybook, board book
• Author: Robert Munsch
• Storybook that shows a mother’s love for her baby throughout different stages in his life
• Available in different materials or book types
• 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 ”

• Board book – $9.23
• Paperback – $14.57
• Hardcover – $24.97
• Book Type & Material: Nursery rhymes, different material types
• Author/Publisher: Wonder House Books
• Age Recommendations: 0+ years old
• Collection of favorite nursery rhymes
• Colorful illustrations
• Includes activities to practice mathematical concepts at home
• Some complaints on Amazon that the book is too small for its price tag

21. “ Baby Touch and Feel: Things That Go”

• Book Type & Material: Educational and sensory board book
• Age Recommendations: 0-2 years old
• 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
• Some complaints that this sensory book doesn’t have enough touch-and-feel activities

22. “Colors (Bright Baby)”

• Board book – $4.99
• Age Recommendations: Six months to two years old
• Introduces your baby to colors
• Bright illustrations for each page
• Combines simple words and colorful pictures
• 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”

• Board book – $6.89
• Paperback – $14.12
• Hardcover – $17.90
• 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
• Teaches babies how to count
• Introduces your baby to basic anatomy

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”

• Board book – $7.27
• Paperback – $14.47
• Hardcover – $26.55
• Electronic (Kindle) – $10.99
• Book Type & Material: Bedtime story and rhyming board book
• Author: Anna Dewdney
• Age Recommendations: 1-3 years old
• Bedtime story featuring a llama
• Rhyming words
• Reassuring bedtime book that supports emotional development
• 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 ? ”

• Board book – $4.55
• Paperback – $10.89
• Hardcover – $8.99
• Book Type & Material: Rhyming book available in different materials (board book, paperback, or hardcover)
• Author: Bill Martin, Jr.
• Storybook that introduces your baby to different animals and colors
• Features poetry and rhyming words
• Some complaints that the book has strange illustrations

26. “ Mr. Brown Can Moo ! Can You? ”

• Paperback – $10.23
• Hardcover – $7.03
• Electronic (Kindle) – $7.99
• Book Type & Material: Educational storybook available in different types (board book, paperback, electronic, and hardcover)
• Author: Dr. Seuss
• Features engaging, silly rhymes that Dr. Seuss books are known for
• Some complaints that the book is smaller than they expected

27. “ Guess How Much I Love You ?”

• Board book – $13.99
• Paperback – $10.25
• Hardcover – $10.99
• Audio CD – $2.58
• Book Type & Material: Storybook available in different materials (board book, paperback, and hardcover)
• Author: Sam McBratney
• Story about the love between a bunny dad and his son
• Some complaints from parents who think that the dad in the story repeatedly tries to one-up his kid

28. “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”

• Hardcover – $7.62
• Paperback – $8.28
• Spiral-bound – $9.99
• 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
• Introduces your baby to the alphabet in a story about them trying to race each other up the coconut tree
• Some complaints on Amazon that this book is too boring

29. “Clifford’s Animal Sounds ”

• Hardcover – $9.30
• Book Type & Material: Educational
• Author: Norman Bridwell
• Introduces your baby to different animals and the sounds they make
• 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

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)

(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/

– Motherhood Community is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More

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Book Nerd Mommy

raising readers

10+ Of Our Favorite Books for 0 to 6 Month-Olds

Reading to newborns can be such a rewarding experience. A lot of bonding can happen during story time, even with the tiniest babies who are still a ways off from learning how to speak. Any book would work really, but some books are targeted more to the 0-6 month age group and where they are at developmentally.

*this post includes affiliate links

Below are a few of our favorite books that are especially wonderful for young babies. They feature one or more of six characteristics that are popular for newborns: high contrast illustrations, durability, human faces. (particularly babies), moving/interactive features and soothing language. Each one is fantastic and they would also make wonderful choices for a baby shower gift!

“Farm Animals (Baby Basics)” by Xavier Deneux- This book is brilliant for babies! The illustrations are predominately black and white with bright pops of colors. Plus, there are pull-tabs to create movement with small parts of the illustrations!

“I am Baby” by Kathryn Madeline Allen and Rebecca Gizicki- This board book is happy baby photo after happy baby photo. The text is super basic and focuses on vocabulary that is relevant to babies. Such a cute one.

“Read To Your Baby Everyday: 30 Classic Nursery Rhymes to Read-Aloud” by Rachel Williams and Chloe Giordano- This is a picture book that makes a beautiful keepsake. It contains 30 classic nursery rhymes accompanied by the sweetest illustrations. It is a fabulous and soothing read aloud for babies.

“Black Cat & White Cat” by Claire Garralon- This book is an incredibly clever, high contrast book about two cats that is interesting enough to entertain not only babies, but their parents. Bonus points for that and the surprise ending that is sure to bring on a smile.

“Guess How Much I Love You Soft Teether Book” by Kids Preferred- This soft, fabric book is a simplified version of the classic board book “Guess How Much I Love You”. It’s soft construction is perfect for babies to handle and it even comes with a teething ring attached to the spine. (Plus the pages “crackle”!)

“Baby See, Baby Do: Lift & Look in the Mirror” by Robie Rogge and Jennifer Hale- This board book features different photos of babies displaying different emotions. The fact that it is accompanied by a mirror that folds out and can be seen with each page encourages babies to imitate the faces in the photos. Plus, babies love to see their face in mirrors!

“Look, Look Outside” by Peter Linenthal- Another high contrast book that is beautiful for babies. The illustrations are very eye-catching and so sweet. This is one that is sure to please.

“World of Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Soft Book” by Kids Preferred- This one is similar to the “Guess How Much I Love You” fabric book towards the top of the list. We love that one so I’m sure this one is equally wonderful. It is soft and includes a teether. Plus, it features a very famous caterpillar. What’s not to love?!

“Hug Me Little Bunny: Finger Puppet Book” and “Hug Me Little Bear: Finger Puppet Book” by Chronicle Books- Each one of these board books has two, soft paws that are essentially finger puppets for the reader to use to entertain the listener. They extend through every page spread and are pleasantly soft. Wiggling them around creates visual interest and babies are sure to love the soft paws brushing their cheek as well.

“Hello Garden Bugs: A High Contrast Book” by duopress labs and Julissa Mora- This high-contrast book features 10 different illustrations of bugs and some large patterns. What’s cuter than a black and white bug book for a newborn, right?!

“Jane Foster’s Black and White” by Jane Foster- One more high-conrast board book recommendation because they are such a staple for this age group and there are so many wonderful ones. This one is simple and sweet and sure to please. It features a lot of animals and has some visually excellent patterns to attract attention.

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Best Activity Books for Babies and Toddlers

Play, dance, discover and learn with these delightful interactive books., by babylist staff.

Reading to babies and toddlers is engaging, bonding, and has educational benefits, even when they’re that young. It’s a great idea to grab some classic books for your baby’s library to start young, but educational books, like those that teach the ABCs are also great. Interactive books also bring a lot to the table.

Part book, part toy, these delightful interactive books engage the senses and introduce kids to new sights, sounds and textures—and they’re a whole lot of fun too! If you’re trying to get bay engaged in multiple ways, you can also check out our best activity centers and play gyms .

Tactile Learning

From the sticky suction cups that line octopus tentacles to the sandpaper skin of the gray shark, this book invites readers and pre-readers to reach out and feel an underwater world of wonder.

Touch and Explore the Ocean

Press, shake, tilt, turn! This book leads readers on an adventure, prompting young minds to engage in page-turning play. With a bright rainbow color palette that seems to leap off the page, the simplicity of this book design has a way of activating the mind and encouraging creativity.

“Busy books” are super popular boredom defeaters for school-aged kiddos, usually filled with tactile activities and puzzles to keep their minds (and hands) occupied. This soft-sided book offers the same interactive experience for older babies and toddlers with activities like buckling Velcro shoes, count the caterpillar’s feet and match the shapes. Keep in mind: This activity book comes with a few small-ish pieces that detatch, so little ones should be watched carefully as they play with this book.

Melissa & Doug's My First Activity Book

This book is like bubble wrap that never ends! The tiny buttons make the same “pop” and “click” you get from poking bubble wrap, but they never deflate. It’s great for building fine motor skills, not to mention it’s super satisfying.

Melissa & Doug Poke-A-Dot: Old McDonald's Farm

Hide & seek, lift & look.

Where are all the forest animals hiding? Behind the tree! Under the leaf! Beneath the Log! This game of hide-and-seek will keep baby entertained for longer than your usual game of peek-a-boo, and eventually your little one might get good enough to start hiding the ball on their own.

Lamaze Peek-a-Boo Forest Cloth Book

This is the first of the popular Spot books in a toddler-proof board book edition. Written for the author’s two-year-old son, the book first came out in 1980 and has won over generations of readers. The story is simple—it’s a cute puppy on a hunt—and the clear language is accessible for those who are just learning to use their words.

Where's Spot?

This book is hiding something…something fun! Watch fish, ducks and frogs leap from their hiding places as your little one pushes the sliders up, down, in and out. The sliders are just the right size for tiny fingers to practice dexterity.

Hoppity Frog: A Slide-and-Seek Book

Llama Llama can’t find his fuzzy llama! Where could it be? Behind the door? Under the bed? Kids love lifting the flaps to find Llama’s snuggly mini.

Llama Llama Hide & Seek: A Lift-the-Flap Book

Moo! Oink! Gobble gobble! Polish up your farm noises with these 30 unique sound buttons (including turtle, butterfly and dragonfly instrumentation). And along with all the fun, silly noise-making, your little one will love learning to match the images in the book and on the sound pad.

Around the Farm 30-Button Sound Book (World of Eric Carle)

Part book, part toy, all noisy fun. This hybrid activity table opens like a book and can either lay flat on the floor or stand up on its legs. It comes with three modes (reading skills, math & numbers and music) and offers 120+ sounds, phrases and activities for busy little hands.

Fisher-Price Sit-to-Stand Giant Activity Book

What sound does a train make? What about a firetruck? Vehicle-loving little ones will love learn all about the sounds these things that go make and they’ll get to practice some fine motor skills while turning the interactive gears.

Turn, Crank, Zoom! A STEM Gear Sound Book

This press-and-listen book plays short clips of calming lullabies that go along with different yoga poses, from Cat-Cow to Shavasana. There are even directions for how to introduce and perform the poses with your little one making this a great interactive book to read with your baby or toddler.

Yoga with Friends: Press and Listen!

Chronicle Books’ bestselling finger puppet books are always a hit with little ones. From newborn up through preschool, your kiddo is bound to squeal with delight as you move the finger puppet around—just be sure to add some neighing in there too.

Little Horse: A Finger Puppet Book

All about bodies.

This lift-the-flap book is a fun and intuitive anatomical primer for little ones. Readers lift flaps to locate the baby character’s belly button, feet, hands and more. Read it with your child and have them point out their own body parts as they learn. And you can continue the lesson with the follow-up book, Toes, Ears, & Nose .

Where Is Baby's Belly Button? Board Book

These animals can all move in particular ways; can you? With simple, straightforward directions, the book instructs little ones to get moving and discover what their bodies can do, just like gorillas, giraffes, donkeys and more.

From Head to Toe

Looking for more books.

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Babylist Staff

Babylist editors and writers are parents themselves and have years of experience writing and researching, coming from media outlets like Motherly, the SF Chronicle, the New York Times and the Daily Beast, and the fields of early childhood education and publishing. We research and test hundreds of products, survey real Babylist parents and consult reviews in order to recommend the best products and gear for your growing family.

Best Children’s Books for Your Baby or Toddler

When you're a new parent, reading books to your baby might be one of the best ways to bond with your little one. And the benefits keep multiplying as your baby grows into a toddler and beyond: Reading to and with your little one helps foster her development in many ways, including teaching language skills, forming word associations, and encouraging interaction.

Based on a survey of thousands of Pampers Parents, we’ve put together a list of some of the best baby books in four categories: classic books, bedtime books, development books, and interactive books. Some of the books that made the list are ideal for toddlers and preschoolers, too. We also explain how to choose the right type of book for your little one. Happy reading!

Choosing the Right Type of Book for Your Little One

Which type of book is best sometimes depends on how old your little one is. Many of the best books for babies offer simple stories with repetitive text and bright colors. As your baby passes through the newborn stage and gets closer to turning 1, stories that help reinforce daily routines, like a bedtime routine , can be a good choice.

Keep in mind, a book that’s great for older children can also work for your baby or toddler. She will love the sound of your voice as you act out certain characters, and you can highlight images by saying, “Look, there’s a big, green caterpillar.” One example is the Dr. Seuss book on our list. This story might grab the attention of a 5-year-old who is learning to read, while its illustrations might appeal to a much younger baby.

Once your little one is a toddler, you may want to choose books that help build her vocabulary and engage her imagination with enchanting tales and interesting characters.

As you’ll see, many of the books on our list can do double or even triple duty and work well for babies, toddlers, and even older children.

Deciding on the Best Book Format

When purchasing books, it’s worth considering the format, too. Board books might be the best for babies and toddlers because they can stand up to even the most precocious fingers, and the pages are easier to turn for toddlers. You might want to wait with hardcovers with paper pages, as your baby may be more inclined to rip the pages and put the corners in his mouth. Some board books come with soft covers, which are great—your baby will love the touch and feel of them!

E-books, which you can download to an e-book reader or a tablet, might be a good option if you’re riding in the car or traveling with your little one and don’t want to bring several books with you. Audio CDs and audiobooks are also available if you want to have your baby listen from a CD player, a smartphone, or an MP3 player. Keep in mind that nothing is better than reading to your baby directly. Your voice is his favorite sound!

How to Read to Your Baby or Toddler

It’s never too early to start reading to your baby; in fact, in fact, many parents-to-be enjoy reading to their baby bump! Whether you take on an entire book or just a few pages, the act of reading aloud can make all the difference in your child's development. Your newborn won’t be able to understand the story just yet, but he will enjoy listening to your voice. At the 4- to 6-month stage, your baby will start to show more interest in books. Then, between 6 and 12 months , he’ll begin to understand the pictures, and he may even babble along with you.

As your baby grows, try to set aside some time each day for reading. You might like to establish a special time for it, such as by making it part of your baby’s bedtime routine . Books can also come in handy as a way to pass the time when you’re stuck at the doctor’s office. As your baby grows into a toddler, encourage him to hold the book and turn the pages. Read when your toddler is in the mood, and let him choose which book he wants to hear. Encourage him to name certain objects or characters in the illustrations, repeat phrases or rhymes from the book, or help finish sentences. Ask him questions about the story. Reading to your baby or toddler sets the stage for literacy, of course, but it also fosters his social and emotional development.

Classic Books for Your Baby or Toddler

These best-selling baby books have been around for more than 50 years. They’ve remained popular for generations, and their themes and illustrations are beloved. Pampers Parents chose the following as their favorite books for babies, toddlers, and older children, too.

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Why pick this one?  Bold and colorful collage-like illustrations help tell the story of a caterpillar’s birth on a Sunday and his successive day-to-day adventures, mostly focused on eating. Nearing the end of the story, he makes himself a cocoon, goes to sleep, and wakes up transformed into a butterfly.

Highlights:  Available in hardcover, paperback, board book, audio CD, Kindle, and audiobook formats (free with your Audible trial). There’s also a loose-leaf version of the story with postcards that can be colored in.

Price*:  about $5.76 on  Amazon.com

Pampers Parents tip:   You’ll appreciate the story of the caterpillar’s development in this book as it symbolizes the growth of your baby.

2. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Why pick this one?   Goodnight Moon ’s lulling poetry and whimsical illustrations have struck a chord with many generations since the book was released in 1947. The classic bedtime story by prolific children’s book author Margaret Wise Brown is about a little bunny trying to go to sleep, or trying to delay going to sleep, by saying goodnight to everything in his bedroom, including the pictures hung on the walls.

Highlights:  Available in hardcover, paperback, board book, audio CD, and Kindle formats.

Price*:  about $7.69 on  Amazon.com

Pampers Parents review:  This book is great for little ones of different ages, from newborn to even a 6-year-old.

3. Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book by Dr. Seuss

Why pick this one? You can’t go wrong with a popular baby book by Dr. Seuss. This charming tale is about a sleepy bug who gives off a yawn that’s so contagious that it sets off a chain reaction, making everyone sleepy. We’re sure that after reading this book to your little one, he’ll nod right off, too! Highlights: Available in hardcover, paperback, board book, and Kindle formats. Price*: about $10.39 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents tip: You’ll love Dr. Seuss’s riddles, colorful graphics, and inspirational lessons.

4. Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman

Why pick this one?  Written by P.D. Eastman and edited by Dr. Seuss, Go, Dog. Go! offers a tale that illustrates the variety and diversity in life. There are dogs of all sizes and colors, doing all kinds of unusual activities, like skiing. Two dogs even strike up a romance! This book is fun to read and fun to look at, and you and your child are sure to be entertained.

Highlights:  Available in hardcover, paperback, board book, and Kindle formats.

Price*:  about $6.99 on  Amazon.com

Pampers Parents tip: This book will not only be fun for your child, it will also boost her development as she starts to identify the pictures, and correlate them to words.

5. The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

Why pick this one?   The Runaway Bunny recounts the tale of a little bunny who tries to run away from his mother. No matter where the little bunny tries to go, his mother promises to find him. It’s a comforting story and a touching way for your baby to learn that she can always count on her mom and dad’s protection.

Highlights:  Available in hardcover, paperback, board book, audio CD, and audiobook formats.

Price*:  about $5.69 on  Amazon.com

Pampers Parents review:  The timeless value of this book will be appreciated for many generations to come.

Bedtime Books for Your Baby or Toddler

A bedtime story is a terrific way to signal that it's time to settle down and go to sleep. These books offer some of the best bedtime stories around, and with any luck they'll help your baby nod off without a fuss. According to Pampers Parents, the aforementioned Goodnight Moon and Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book would also be on this list.

1. The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

Why pick this one?  This book, with its cute rhymes and silly animals, might just be the one that becomes a cherished part of your child's nightly routine. The story centers on an ark full of animals, who, before going to bed, watch the sunset, take a bath, put on pajamas, and even do some exercise.

Highlights:  Available in hardcover, board book, and Kindle formats.

Price*:  about $5.90 on  Amazon.com

Pampers Parents review: This book is great for babies, toddlers, and even older children because it reinforces a bedtime routine.

2. Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey

Why pick this one? It’s the end of the day at a construction site and, as the sun begins to set, all the equipment, from the cement mixer to the bulldozer, get ready to rest ahead of another busy day tomorrow. The book features soothing rhymes and adorable illustrations.

Highlights: Available in hardcover, paperback, board book, and Kindle formats.

Price*:  about $7.99 on  Amazon.com

Pampers Parents review:  This book has great rhyming, and your child will have fun recognizing the construction equipment when he’s out in the real world.

3. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

Why pick this one? As a zookeeper tucks in all the animals for the night, a mischievous gorilla steals his keys, and goes about freeing all the other animals from their cages. This story follows that wily gorilla as he sneaks around behind the zookeeper’s back. It’s a funny baby book that is sure to entertain your little one at bedtime. Highlights: Available in hardcover, paperback, board book, Kindle, and audiobook formats. Price*: about $6.79 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents review: The book is simple to read, and perfect for preparing your little one for bedtime.

Development Books for Your Baby or Toddler

Reading to your little one is always about more than just entertaining or soothing your baby. It also helps introduce your child to the alphabet, new words, sounds, and more. These books have a strong focus on helping to develop your little one’s literacy skills.

1. First 100 Words by Roger Priddy

Why pick this one? This book features 100 simple words, such as "boat," "duck," and "towel." The words are split into categories to help your baby learn. Each word is paired with a memorable image. With this book, your little one will have lots of fun while developing his vocabulary. Highlights: Available in hardcover, Kindle, and board book format. The board book comes with a padded cover that offers the best soft touch and feel for your baby.

Price*: about $5.99 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents review: It’s handy that every word has a corresponding picture, and that the book is divided into categories.

2. Numbers Colors Shapes (First 100) by Roger Priddy

Why pick this one? Another book by author Roger Priddy in the First 100 series, this one focuses on—you guessed it—numbers, colors, and shapes. It offers a really fun way for your child to learn how to count beyond the 10 fingers and toes. Highlights: Available in hardcover, Kindle, and board book formats. Price*: about $5.79 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents review: Bright colors and shapes serve as visual stimulation for your little one.

3. Eyes, Nose, Fingers, and Toes: A First Book All About You by Judy Hindley

Why pick this one? Who knew that learning could be this much fun? This book turns learning the names of parts of the body into a playful game of discovery for your little one. For example, arms can go up, they can hug, they can hold, and more. The illustrations present toddlers of different cultural backgrounds doing all kinds of activities, showing in an inclusive way what our physical selves can do. Highlights: Available in library binding, paperback, and board book formats. Price*: about $6.99 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents review: This book offers a way for your little one to learn how her body works.

4. Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert

Why pick this one? Beautiful watercolor collages that jump off the page will help your child learn the alphabet while encouraging an interest in fruits and veggies. The design also features bold capital and lowercase letters for easy reading. The book’s glossary has a pronunciation guide, botanical and historical information on each item, and illustrations of the plants, all of which might become even more interesting for your little one as he gets older. Highlights: Available in hardcover, paperback, board book, and Kindle formats. Price*: about $7.99 on Amazon.com Pampers Parents review: It’s a fun way to teach your baby the alphabet and about healthy eating.

Interactive Books for Your Baby or Toddler

These books invite your little one to be an active participant in story time, whether it’s by pointing out objects, pressing a button, or shaking the book.

1. Where Is Baby’s Belly Button? A Lift-the-Flap Book by Karen Katz

Why pick this one? This is a great book for teaching your baby about her body, because there is an extra interactive component. There are flaps that you or your baby can lift to reveal the answers to questions like "Where are baby’s eyes?" Your baby will surely be entertained by this funny book and love that she can get involved in finding the answers. Highlights: Available in hardcover and board book formats. Price*: about $4.24 on Amazon.com Pampers Parents review: This book offers an exciting and interactive way to get your baby to learn about her body.

2. Press Here by Herve Tullet

Why pick this one? This book takes your baby on an adventure with instructions that begin with pressing a yellow dot. A number of hilarious commands follow, such as to tilt or shake the book. You'll enjoy watching your baby react to what’s occurring on the page. Highlights: Available in hardcover and board book formats. Price*: about $7.64 on Amazon.com Pampers Parents review: Your baby and toddler will love how interactive this book is.

We hope you’ve found the perfect book to add to your little one’s library, or to offer as a baby shower or birthday gift for another lucky child. Any one of these books would do wonders for your baby’s development and imagination, and will help ensure your baby grows to love reading .

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Special Education and Inclusive Learning

Our 5 Favourite Tactile Baby Books 6-18m

The best tactile/touch and feel books for babies..

Our youngest has always been into books, having a grandma who used to run a bookshop can’t have hurt. Being the youngest of five has some benefits when it comes to reading material. We have a lot. Annoyingly we did get rid our some of our books for babies and toddlers. The silver lining is some great new tactile children’s books have been released over the last couple of years. Here is a quick round-up of five of her favourite books suitable for babies from 6 months old. If you like these check out our son’s favourite transport-themed books here.

The Benefits of Tactile or Touch-And-Feel Books.

Touch and feel books are interactive board books that have textures incorporated into the illustrations. Sharing these types of books with children provides many benefits for their development and growth. Here are some of the key reasons touch and feel books are great for children’s early learning:

• They encourage interaction and engagement. The tactile elements of touch and feel books captivate children’s attention and make reading more fun and hands-on. The textures give them something exciting to explore while you read.
• They build vocabulary. As children feel the different textures, you can name them and introduce new words like “bumpy,” “ fuzzy, ” “slippery,” etc. Associating words with concrete sensations helps build language comprehension.
• They develop fine motor skills. Touching and feeling the textures engages children’s fine motor skills in their fingers and hands. The act of turning pages also helps strengthen these skills.
• They stimulate the senses. The combination of sight, touch, and sound (as you read the words aloud) creates a multi-sensory experience that engages more of the brain. This boosts comprehension and retention.
• They teach concepts. Books with themes around emotions , seasons, numbers, etc. use the textures to help reinforce the concepts on each page. Feeling a scratchy wool texture on a sheep, for example, drives home the idea of wool being scratchy.
• They encourage bonding. Touch and feel books create special one-on-one interaction time between parent and child. Sharing these books together builds your bond.

Nosy Crow’s Listen to Baby Books

L isten to the Jungle – Buy Here & Listen to the Seaside – Buy Here

These two baby books are great fun. It took her until she was almost a year old to manipulate the little sound sensor on each page. Recently (17m) she has begun searching for it and repeating her favourite sounds with a giggle.

One of the benefits of these books is the links they have to many of the toys we have collected over the years. So whilst reading we can play with the animals. It can be fun to recreate scenes and even extend the play into the tough tray. You can create linked learning activities to the themes in the books.

Make Tracks by Nosy Crow.

Make Tracks: Farm – Buy Here

We actually bought this for our son who was drawn to it in a bookshop. This is a new series of chunky board books the one we have to based on the farm. Each page describes a vehicle and a sliding counter that you “drive” around a track. Brilliant for developing fine motor skills. We have a post on the best farm books for your budding farmer . It features basic vehicle vocabulary with simple first words and clear diagrams. Around the track there are text prompts to encourage discussion. Then trace 5 types of transport around 5 different tracks with a moving counter on every spread and the cover. The perfect book for children who love tractors, horse boxes, and combine harvesters. Full disclosure this may be better for toddlers 16m+ as we have a disconnected roundabout on one page (but easily glued back).

Peekaboo Love Baby Book

Peekaboo Love – Buy Here

This is turning into a Nosy Crow fan post. We have not been gifted any of these books these are books that we have seen in shops or online and bought. Peekaboo Love is her favourite book. We have read this everyday, multiple times since she was 3 months old.

When she was younger I would slide out the interactive bits and she would push them back in. She has been able to manipulate them herself for a couple of months now. If left to her own exploration it would be damaged by now but with supervision each movable element of the book is sturdy. The art in Peekaboo love is vibrant and engaging.

Where’s Mr Penguin Baby Book With Felt Flaps 6 month+ Baby.

Where’s Mr Penguin – Buy Now

The difference with this book or series of books is that the flaps are felt. This makes them much sturdier and easier for little fingers to manipulate. Where’s Mr Penguin is, like Peekaboo Love, illustrated by Swedish illustrator Ingela P. Arrhenius . Vibrant clear images bring each character to life as you go on a hunt through the wintery landscape in search of more animals.

Colours: Book for 6 month old baby

Jane Foster’s Colours – Buy Here

I wasn’t a big fan of this book that we have had since she was first born. However she liked looking through and getting me to repeat the name of the images on each page. It is a great book for introducing colours and simple vocabulary. In the picture below you can see we used it to theme all the items on her tray, matching them to the page of the book.

We hope you enjoyed looking at five favourite baby books. What books does your toddler enjoy exploring? Let us know in the comments. The links in this post are affiliate links which will not cost you an extra penny but if you buy a book within 24 hours of clicking on them we earn a very small commission that helps pay for the hosting of the website.

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My little ones always loved the Touch and Feel books. So cute! Thanks for the post!

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The 16 Best Toys for 6-Month-Old Babies, According to Parents

Medical review policy, latest update:, quick summary, how we chose the best toys for 6-month-olds, why trust us, best baby mirror for 6-month-olds, sassy tummy time floor mirror, best interactive toy for 6-month-olds, fisher-price laugh & learn smart stages piggy bank, best take-along toy for 6-month-olds, baby einstein take along tunes musical toy, best musical toy for 6-month-olds, vtech baby lil' critters moosical beads, best stacking toy or 6-month-olds, melissa & doug rainbow stacker wooden ring toy, best activity center for 6-month-olds, skip hop baby activity center, best toy kit for 6-month-olds, the lalo play box: 5-6 months, best developmental toy for 6-month-olds, fisher-price baby's first blocks with storage bucket, best stacking cups toy for 6-month-olds, the first years stack n count cups, best learning toy for 6-month-olds, ‘babies love colors’ board book, best sensory toy for 6-month-olds, miniland sensory balls, best high chair toy for 6-month-olds, sassy wonder wheel activity center, best book for 6-month-olds, 'my first i see you: a mirror book' by eric carle, best bath toy for 6-month-olds, munchkin float and play bubbles bath toy, best hand-eye coordination toy for 6-month-olds, the first years first keys, best rattle toy for 6-month-olds, hola baby grab and spin rattle, our research.

American Academy of Pediatrics, The Power of Play , June 2022. American Academy of Pediatrics, How Do Infants Learn? , 2021. American Academy of Pediatrics, How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe , July 2022. WhatToExpect.com, Best Games to Play With Your Baby , September 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Best Activities for a 6-Month-Old Baby , September 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Benefits of Mirror Play for Babies , August 2021. Steven Abelowitz, M.D., F.A.A.P., Regional Medical Director, Coastal Kids Pediatrics, Newport Beach, California. Sarah Lytle, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network (PLLAN). Ilan Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.P., Medical Director, Health Education and Wellness, AltaMed Health Services, Los Angeles, California.

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• Educational Toy Book; For Learning, Counting , Reading and Play.
• Educational Toy Designed by Experts in The US.
• Great Value ,3 In 1 Gift For Babies: Crinkle Baby Books, Quiet Book & Teether Toy
• Perfect for Bonding with Mom or Dad!
• Luxury Soft Cloth book With Handling loop and Teether.
• Non-toxic, Safe & Washable, Soft book & Soft Toys for Home, Cars, Travel

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Soft Baby Cloth Books, Crinkle Set, 4 PCS with Teether

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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the quality, age range, ease of holding, and sound quality of the books. They mention that they're great first books, safe for teething, and easy to grab for. Some appreciate the crinkle sounds and like that they have plastic inside for the sound.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the books great for babies, making a great all-around toy. They also say the books are lovely, colorful, and easy to handle.

"...He smiles at the sounds they make and loves to look at the pictures by himself. Great beginner books for babies." Read more

"...I see her trying to shave it in her mouth. And I like that is colorful so it grabs her attention." Read more

" Very nice . Baby loves them. The books are full of colors and safe for teething." Read more

"They pretty good baby love to chew on them and the cracking noise I’m happy with the purchase they colorful and easy to handle with his little hands...." Read more

Customers find the books good for babies and safe for teething. They also say the books are full of colors.

"Very nice. Baby loves them. The books are full of colors and safe for teething ." Read more

"These books are good for babies , but I'm annoyed there is a typo in the shapes and colors. They have a heptagon shape with the word hexagon...." Read more

" Great for babies ! They are soft, some crinkle, one has a teether attached." Read more

" Great for babies ..." Read more

Customers find the toy easy to hold and grab for their baby. They also say it's easy to clean and bounces back.

"My grand child can't go anywhere without it. Its easy for her to hold and easy to clean. I see her trying to shave it in her mouth...." Read more

" Easy to grab for baby . Can throw in washer and bounced back" Read more

" Easy to hold " Read more

Customers are satisfied with the sound quality of the toy. They mention that their child enjoys the crinkle sounds and smiles at the sounds they make. Some customers also like the ones that have plastic inside for the sound.

"My grandbaby loves these books. He enjoys the crinkle sounds and will play with them for a good while." Read more

"...She especially likes the ones that have the plastic inside for the sound ." Read more

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Blog The Education Hub

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/04/02/how-to-claim-15-hours-free-childcare-code/

Thousands of parents of two-year-olds benefit from 15 hours free childcare - here's how

We’re making the  biggest investment  by a UK government into childcare in history, doubling the amount we expect to spend over the next few years from around £4 billion to around £8 billion each year.  

We've already started to rollout the first phase of the expansion. As of April 2024, eligible parents of children who have turned 2-years-old before 1 April are getting help with their childcare costs by accessing 15 hours of government-funded childcare.

The rollout of support is part of our plan to help families – freeing thousands of couples from having to choose between having a family and a career.

This builds on existing government-funded childcare and later in the year the support will be extended to include some children from when they turn 9-months-old.

• Currently, eligible working parents of 3 and 4-year-olds can access 30 hours of childcare support.  
• Eligible working parents of 2-year-olds are also now able to access 15 hours childcare  support.
• From  September 2024 , 15 hours childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents with a child from 9-months-old.  
• From  September 2025 , support will reach 30 hours for eligible working parents with a child from 9-months-old up to school age.  

When can I apply?  

Applications are now open for eligible working parents whose children will be 2 or older by the 31 August to receive 15 hours childcare, starting from September 2024.

And from 12 May, eligible working parents whose children will be aged between 9- and 23-months old on 31st August, can apply to receive 15 hours childcare starting from September 2024.

It’s important to remember that codes need to be renewed every three months, so parents applying close to 12 May will need to renew their code prior to the offer starting in September.

You are able to claim your place the term after your child turns the relevant age. This gives local authorities and childcare providers enough time to prepare.

How do I apply?   

You apply online here on   Gov.uk once you have checked our  eligibility criteria .  

You’ll need to make sure you have the following information to hand before starting the application:  

• your national insurance number (or unique taxpayer reference if you are self-employed)  
• the date you started or are due to start work  
• details of any government support or benefits you receive  
• the UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) for your child.  

You may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days.  

Once your application has been approved, you’ll get a code to give to your childcare provider.  

Eligible parents are also able to access Tax-Free Childcare through the same application system. You can apply for Tax-Free Childcare at any time. However, you don't need to apply for Tax-Free Childcare to be eligible to apply for the 15 hours childcare scheme.   

What happens once I receive my code?  

Once you receive your code, you’ll need to take it to your childcare provider, along with your National Insurance number and your child’s date of birth.  

Your childcare provider will process the code to provide your place.  

Places will be available for September in every area of the country, but a significant minority of settings hold waiting lists of over six months. If you have a preferred nursery for September, you should reach out now to secure a place for your child ahead of receiving your code.  

Your local authority can provide support for finding a government-funded place in your area.  

What if I’m already registered for Tax Free Childcare?  

Parents must reconfirm that they are still eligible for Tax-Free Childcare every 3 months.  

Parents who are already claiming Tax-Free Childcare and need to reconfirm their eligibility between 1 April and 12 May will be automatically issued a code in the post from HMRC soon after the 12 May.   

This is to ensure every parent can give their code to their provider in good time. This code will be valid to apply for 15 hours of government-funded childcare from September.   

If I receive a code in a letter from HMRC, does this make my code on my Childcare Account invalid?  

No. Both codes will be valid.   

Do I need to wait for my reconfirmation window to add another child to my account?  

A parent who is already using the childcare service for another child can add a new child to their account at any time.  

Your reconfirmation cycle for your current Tax-Free Childcare will not affect this.  

How are you making sure there will be enough childcare places for eligible parents?  

Parents that have a preferred place for September should reach out now to their local provider to secure a physical place for their child ahead of time.  

To make sure there are enough places available, we’re investing over £400 million in 2024-25 to increase the hourly rates paid to local authorities.  

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has independently reported that the average funding rates for two-year-olds and under 2s paid by government from April 2024 are projected to be substantially higher than the market rate paid by parents last year, and we have committed to further increases to provider rates for the next two years.  

We have also committed to increasing hourly funding rates over the next two years by an estimated £500 million, to make sure providers can increase places at each phase of the rollout.    

You may also be interested in:

• Budget 2023: Everything you need to know about childcare support
• Before and after school childcare: Everything you need to know about wraparound care
• Free childcare: How we are tackling the cost of childcare

Tags: 15 hours free childcare , Applying for 15 hours free childcare , Childcare , Free childcare 2024 , Free childcare eligibility , tax-free childcare , When to apply for 15 hour free childcare

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BREAKING: Trump says he would 'absolutely' testify in his criminal hush money trial

Consumer price growth accelerated in March, adding to cloudy picture for U.S. economy

Inflation remained elevated once again in March, adding another round of price increases to Americans' already-strained wallets.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 12-month price growth accelerated from 3.2% in February to 3.5% in March, matching consensus forecasts among economists.

Excluding food and energy, which represent commodities with more volatile prices, the so-called core 12-month reading was unchanged in March at 3.8%.

Some of the items seeing the largest 12-month leaps in price gains included auto insurance, which soared 22.2%; domestic services like home cleaning, up 10.9%; baby food and formula, up 9.9%; and outpatient hospital services, up 8.3%.

If there was any relief, it was in grocery prices, which were up just 1.2% on the year. And prices for new and used vehicles fell.

But Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate, put the situation succinctly in an email following Wednesday's release.

“There is no improvement here, we’re moving in the wrong direction,” he said.

On paper, the U.S. economy has looked solid. The unemployment rate has now remained below 4% for the longest stretch since the 1960s. Stocks have been at all-time highs. The economy continues to add jobs.

But since the start of the pandemic, Americans have seen average prices increase more than 20% overall — giving people a sense that the cost of many goods and services, not to mention housing, has surged to unreasonable levels.

When will prices come down?

So what will cause price growth to finally slow down to the Federal Reserve's 2% target?

Unfortunately, it usually takes a major economic crisis for broad categories of prices to reverse. Instead, the best that consumers can hope for is that they stop going up so fast.

While there are some signs that it's happening — grocery price increases, for instance, have finally fallen below 2% after surging during the pandemic — economists say it's likely to still take some time for inflation to truly subside.

Complex economic forces, they say, continue to keep price growth elevated.

A significant worker shortage sparked by the pandemic — especially for front-line service employees — helped push hourly pay higher. But this resulted in pushing up prices on the consumer side, since labor costs represent a significant portion of the overall cost of given goods or service.

Meanwhile, supply chain disruptions that emerged during the pandemic have yet to fully subside, said Sarah House, a managing director and senior economist at Wells Fargo.

She pointed to automobile prices, which have surged more than 20% since the start of the pandemic for new vehicles and more than 30% for used vehicles. While the pace of their price increases has abated, difficulties in sourcing auto parts, plus the loss of experienced technicians, have pushed vehicle prices higher.

This, in turn, has pushed auto insurance rates higher — and it turns out that car insurance commands a significant percentage of the overall increase in consumer prices.

“The services side is where we’re continuing to see stronger [price] growth,” House said. “That’s where we’re still getting an elevated degree of inflation from.”

Stagnant pay and higher borrowing costs

Americans’ pay has barely kept up with the price increases. While federal stimulus at the outset of the pandemic helped give people a cash cushion during the worst of it, there is an emerging consensus that this same cushion helped drive prices higher by giving people money to spend.

On net, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that the effect of inflation has caused Americans’ average hourly pay to rise by just a few cents compared with where it was at the start of the pandemic.

The Federal Reserve, which is in charge of taming price growth, in part by raising interest rates, has sought to fight fire with fire. By raising the cost of borrowing money, the central bank has tried to reduce demand for goods and services, ultimately pushing price growth down.

The Fed’s interest rate hikes have indeed caused borrowing costs for everything from credit cards to automobiles to homes to climb to levels not seen in years.

For many Americans, that’s meant getting locked out of the housing market, not to mention paying credit card rates above 20% and auto loan rates above 8%.

But inflation has persisted, surprising many economists. At the start of the year, the consensus forecast was for economic growth to slow, allowing the Fed to start cutting interest rates this spring, with a total of three cuts for 2024.

But a growing number of analysts now say that, at a minimum, rate cuts will be delayed. Still others say there won’t even be three cuts.

Despite all the challenges, the risk of a recession that would lead to significant job losses remains low. Yet there are signs that consumer jitters are accelerating. The New York Federal Reserve reported Monday that fears of job losses are climbing and that workers who are already out of a job say getting hired is now more difficult than it was prior to the pandemic.

While about one-quarter of Americans report their household financial situation to be better than a year ago, about one-third report being worse off.

It all adds up to a precarious situation. In a speech last week, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell called the economic outlook "still quite uncertain."

"The job of sustainably restoring 2% inflation is not yet done," he said.

Rob Wile is a breaking business news reporter for NBC News Digital.