Board books break boredom! Say that 10 times fast. With multiple children at home, I’ve gained a great understanding of what makes for the best board books for infants.
I remember my love for visiting my local library. I could read my favorite books, work on school homework, and work on personal writing projects using their Wi-Fi. When I became a mother, I knew I would expose my children to reading early in their lives to kickstart their education.
Reading board books to infants enhances their language and cognitive development, while also improving their social and emotional growth. At our local Dollar General, I found many board books for my eldest daughter’s library, including a favorite I loved reading to her called “Prayers to Share” from the Bendon company.
I read books to my son as soon as he was out of the womb. When I was packing my hospital bag to have my son, I included a copy of “Happy Birthday, Baby!” by Dr. Seuss. Somehow, I had time to read it between the nurse check-ins and resting after delivery.
Now that I am reading more to my youngest daughter, who is almost 2, she prefers the lift-a-flap books, many of which I will highlight in my list of the 44 best board books for infants and what they teach.
“Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown
No home library for children is complete without including “Goodnight Moon.” Initially published in 1947, this quintessential bedtime storybook is about an older bunny sitting with a younger bunny during their bedtime. The young bunny is saying good night to everything in the room and to the moon, too. The unnamed young bunny is doing what many kids would do when it’s time for bed: find a way to stay awake, which in this case, is by saying goodnight to everything around them.
What Infants Learn from “Goodnight Moon”
Infants learn from “Goodnight Moon” that bedtime can be a calm routine. Even though they are going to sleep for the night, they will eventually wake in the morning to a new day with more to explore in their lives.
This book is another member of my children’s library. We still have the same copy that my eldest daughter drew with a magenta crayon back when she was about a year and a half old. This is when she was learning that print media are not coloring books.
You can find Goodnight Moon on Amazon.
“Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney
An older male hare and a younger male hare are going back and forth, showing how much they love each other with arm movements, high hops, and other movements. It turns into a competition to see who can “outlove” the other hare.
What Infants Learn from “Guess How Much I Love You”
Infants learn that love is endless while reading “Guess How Much I Love You.” It’s difficult to explain how much someone can love someone else because it is all a subjective interpretation. You can watch the television series related to this book with an Amazon Prime Video subscription or for free on Tubi.
You can find Guess How Much I Love You on Amazon.
“Look, Look” by Peter Linenthal
“Look, Look” is a phenomenal infant board book for babies fresh out of the womb as their eyes adjust to the colorful world around them. This high-contrast black-and-white color-schemed baby masterpiece will captivate the youngest readers with its bold pictures and red lettering. The littlest ones will get a daily eye workout as they explore different concepts for the very first time.
What Infants Learn from “Look, Look”
Infants will learn about different sounds and objects in their everyday life when reading “Look, Look.” One page features them watching a car race, while another shows them how a cat likes to stretch. Young babies will also learn how a flower blooms, the way children smile, and what it looks like to touch a butterfly.
You can find Look, Look on Amazon.
“Babies Love Nature” by Susanne Konig
This book, which comes in the shape of an accordion, opens the possibilities for infant learning because of its unique presentation. While there are no words on the pages, the high-contrast black-and-white pages will engage little infants to interact with their surroundings while their parents or caregivers allow them tummy time. One side of the book has 10 heart-shaped nature-themed pictures, and the other side has another 10. Thunderstorms, bird nests, pinecones, mountains, and night skies are among the 20 pictures infants get to explore.
What Infants Learn from “Babies Love Nature”
Infants will learn early on the layout of different natural landscapes. The contour of the sun, the usual shape of a lightning bolt, and the puffy outline of clouds are all examples of nature-based exploration that they will begin learning from “Babies Love Nature.”
You can find Babies Love Nature on Amazon.
“I Love You So Mush” by Danielle McLean
This endearing book with a play on words of the “I love you so much” phrase takes babies on a journey with adorable mushroom friends, showcasing their affection for each other. The main character is a red-capped mushroom with white, round spots and hearts on top of it. He or she (gender not determined) is exploring the forest and informing friends of their love by saying “I love you so much” because they are mushrooms. How adorable!
What Infants Learn from “I Love You So Mush”
Love can be expressed with kind words and compliments as learned in “I Love You So Mush.” As infants learn to speak, they will eventually start telling their caregivers, family members, and friends, “I love you”. But for now, embrace the tiny headbutts, warm hugs, and little kisses. My 22-month-old daughter just learned how to say “I love you,” and it melts my heart so much every time she says it because she is picking up on more words and phrases rapidly now.
You can find I Love You So Much on Amazon.
“Will You Be My Sunshine?” by Julia Lobo
The mommy and baby mouse duo in “Will You Be My Sunshine?” makes it such an endearing tale about the ups and downs of life, suitable for children ages 3 and under. The book takes the duo through various days of sunshine, rain, snow, and quiet night skies, where they do different fun activities together. The mother mouse gently reminds her baby that she will always be the sunshine in her baby’s life, no matter what. Out of 57 customer reviews on Amazon, the highest number of customers prefer to read this title to their baby aged 12 months and under.
What Infants Learn from “Will You Be My Sunshine?”
Infants learn from “Will You Be My Sunshine?” that a parent or guardian can be your safe space, no matter if you are having great days or challenging moments. Family, and eventually your friend circle, can get you through any stage of life as long as you have each other.
I remember reading this book to my eldest daughter when she was 6 months old, and it was one of my favorite titles to read again and again. She was my sunshine because she was my rainbow baby, born in 2018 after I miscarried my first child in 2014. Hence, this book holds a special place in my heart, and I have kept it in our home library all this time to read to my youngest toddlers as well.
You can find Will You Be My Sunshine on Amazon.
“See, Touch, Feel” by Roger Priddy
Infants can explore their senses in many engaging ways with Priddy’s “See, Touch, Feel”. It’s one of 20 books within the Priddy Books series related to this title. This one is special because it is a baby’s first sensory experience. Little ones can run their fingers through the grooves of colorful xylophone keys and explore the different textures while examining the colors of paint splotches. This book is best suited for babies who start seeing colors more clearly between 6-12 months old, but they can still feel the textures at any age during infancy.
What Infants Learn from “See, Touch, Feel”
Babies will learn that there is so much to experience in the world around them with their sight and touch with “See, Touch, Feel.” Parents can follow up with other sensory activities after reading this book by tasting different fruits and talking about their colors, textures, and scents. Even if your little one doesn’t talk yet, they are absorbing everything you are saying, and the words will eventually come out.
You can find See, Touch, Feel on Amazon.
“Where’s Spot?” by Eric Hill
I grew up watching the Spot cartoons as a child and even read a few of the books. You can introduce “Where’s Spot?” to your infant as a fun and interactive game of hide-and-seek to see where the puppy is. His mother, Sally, is looking in different places throughout the house as supporting characters inform her that Spot is not where she looked. She eventually finds him in an odd place, and they get to eat their meal together.
What Infants Learn from “Where’s Spot?”
Babies will learn how to brave the search when looking for something or someone they can’t find when reading “Where’s Spot?”. This board book will help enhance their problem-solving and tracking skills while they have a fun time reading along.
As infants aged 4-6 months develop their gross motor skills, they may start trying to turn the little flaps to reveal what is underneath the furniture in the book. I always encouraged my little ones to attempt lifting the flaps at an early age, but they were more successful with it between 6 and 8 months. The best board books for infants help with development in multiple ways and Where’s Spot reaches that goal with ease.
You can find Where’s Spot? on Amazon.
“Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss
The unnamed character known as “You” goes on adventures alongside notable Dr. Seuss characters. This character’s adventures worldwide showcase the depth of how different circumstances and events could change one’s life. This book symbolizes a baby’s start in life and may even be brought up again on graduation days as children finish each year in school.
What Infants Learn from “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”
Infants learn the world is their oyster in “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”. As long as they work hard for their future, they will unlock their dreams of what they want most. Staying motivated and not giving up is the best way to keep moving towards goals.
You can find Oh, The Places You’ll Go on Amazon.
“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr.
Lowercase letters of the alphabet are going wild and climbing up a coconut tree in this delightfully written board book. Eventually, the capital letters, who are characterized as their parents and guardians, come to the lowercase letters’ aid. This bestseller in Children’s Alphabet Books on Amazon will captivate infants, toddlers, and young children as they age.
What Infants Learn from “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”
Infants can learn their ABCs early on when their parents and guardians read them “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”. No children’s home library is complete without also including this book. I’ve attended storytimes at a couple of my local libraries that’ve included this book in their programs. It’s the #1 best seller on Amazon in the Children’s Beginner Readers list. I still need to add this to my home library for my youngest toddlers!
Not only is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom one of the best board books for infants, it’s also one of the best-selling and a favorite in many households.
You can find Chicka Chicka Boom Boom on Amazon.
My First I See You: A Mirror Book” by Eric Carle
Eric Carle was a brilliant author best known for his children’s books entitled “Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar” and “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” (with co-author Bill Martin Jr.). This mirror book, released in 2018, is especially effective for infants because they can see themselves and their caregivers while flipping through the pages.
What Infants Learn from “My First I See You: A Mirror Book”
Babies can learn about different creatures and sights to behold in nature, like the sun, clouds, and butterflies. They can also learn about animals, such as what a dog, bird, monkey, and lion look like when reading “My First I See You: A Mirror Book”. There’s a mirror on every two pages throughout the book for babies to stop and interact with their sight before moving on to the next part.
You can find My First I See You: A Mirror Book on Amazon.
“Babies in the Ocean” by Ginger Swift
The first lift-a-flap books are my favorite to read to my youngest toddlers. You can read them to your infants aged 6 months and older, so they can help you lift the flap as you read along. Tillie and Tyde, the sea turtles on the front cover, are the main characters who take your little one on a journey through the ocean and on the sand. Explore the beach without having to leave your children’s bedroom.
What Infants Learn from “Babies in the Ocean”
Infants will learn from “Babies in the Ocean” how ocean animals like dolphins and whales travel through the water. They will also explore the surrounding ecosystem and observe how nearby land mammals, such as sandpipers and seagulls, navigate.
You can find Babies in the Ocean on Amazon.
“Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada” by Jimmy Fallon
The Tonight Show’s host, Jimmy Fallon, became an author in June 2015. He wanted “dada” to be his daughters’ first words. However, one of his daughters said “mama” as her first word, hence, the sequel listed below. In this comical board book, father animals try to get their babies to say “dada”, but all the babies say are their main animal noises. A dad cow only gets a “moo” from his baby cow, while a father duck only gets a “quack” from its duckling, and so on.
What Infants Learn from “Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada”
Not only will babies learn the word “dada” as the author intended, but they will also learn different animal noises when reading “Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada”. I wish I had read this to my eldest daughter when she was a baby, but I still have the opportunity to read it to my youngest toddlers so they can learn more about animal noises.
You can find Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada on Amazon.
“Everything is Mama” by Jimmy Fallon
The momma animals talk to their baby animals about different words they can learn in their world. All the animals prefer to say “mama” rather than repeat the word their mom told them about. For example, a mother turtle shows her baby what the sun looks like. Instead of repeating “sun”, the little turtle says “mama” instead.
What Infants Learn from “Everything is Mama”
Infants can learn different words about what’s in their environment, like balloons, apples, hats, and flowers. However, they may go back to saying “mama” anyway as they read “Everything is Mama”. Repetition is a parent’s best friend when teaching little ones new words, so don’t get discouraged. Before you know it, your infant will grow into a talkative toddler.
You can find Everything is Mama on Amazon.
“This is Baby” by Jimmy Fallon
Human babies and friendly animals appear in “This is Baby” to portray a fun, educational tale about the parts of a baby and the best activities little ones can do. A lion pops up when talking about hair, while an octopus is featured when discussing a baby’s arms. This book is best paired with a follow-up song of “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” to solidify learning about body parts.
What Infants Learn from “This Is Baby”
Babies love exploring their world, so “This Is Baby” can teach them what activities they can do independently and all about their body parts. These are important to learn so they can point to what part of their body hurts if they are sick or injured.
Jimmy Fallon consistently makes this list of the best board books for infants, and readers agree, constantly raving about his children’s books in online reviews.
You can find This is Baby on Amazon.
“Papa Doesn’t Do Anything!” by Jimmy Fallon
A young dog narrates about his grandfather who thinks doesn’t do anything. Then, Papa Dog takes over the narration to show his child what he can truly do. These things include opening jars, lifting his child high in the sky, doing crossword puzzles to refine his brain, and all the careers he’s done through the years. The young dog realizes that his Papa can do so many things, even if he doesn’t see his father always doing something.
What Infants Learn from “Papa Doesn’t Do Anything!”
Babies learn how strong their grandfathers (or father figures) are by reading “Papa Doesn’t Do Anything!”. Grandfathers can do so many things, but children may only see when they are relaxing after a hard day. As babies get older, they can ask their grandfathers more about what they have done in the past.
You can find Papa Doesn’t Do Anything! on Amazon.
“B Is for Baby” by Antinuke and Angela Brooksbank
This artfully illustrated board book is a quick and simple read for infants with only one sentence per page. It highlights different items and activities that begin with the letter B, which is great to capitalize on as a lot of babies’ first words start with “b” and “d” sounds.
What Infants Learn from “B Is for Baby”
Babies will start learning one key letter of the alphabet early in “B Is for Baby”: the letter B, of course! They will explore different items and activities that start with this letter such as when the main character consumes a banana for breakfast. When characters see their grandfather, they greet him as “baba”, which exposes the baby to how different family members are addressed in other languages.
You can find B Is For Baby on Amazon.
“You’re My Little Baby” by Eric Carle
Momma animals throughout this book show appreciation for their little ones, reminding them that they are their tiny, precious babies. This touch-and-feel book makes reading interactive, enhancing the sense of touch to discover soft, rough, and other textures. In the end, a parent or guardian and their baby can look in a heart-shaped mirror and read the important line, “You’re my baby”.
What Infants Learn from “You’re My Little Baby”
Babies will learn how important they are to the person reading them “You’re My Little Baby”. Every little one has individuals who love them so much, so as many different people as possible should read this book. I remember when I bought my youngest daughter this book for Christmas 2024, and it was such a pleasure to read it with her.
You can find You’re My Little Baby on Amazon.
“It Had To Be You” by Loryn Brantz
The parents in this story showcase how special and unique their baby is to them. Out of all the babies that could have come into the world, they are so happy that this baby was blessed into their lives. This is the first part of a 3-part love poem for young infants in this high-contrast book.
What Infants Learn from “It Had To Be You”
Infants will learn they have a place on this Earth for a reason as they read “It Had To Be You”. They can feel safe knowing that their family, whether blood-related or adopted, has chosen to have this little one in their lives for a reason.
As you’re about to see, Loryn Brantz has earned multiple spots on our list of the best board books for infants.
You can find It Had To Be You on Amazon.
“For Your Smile” by Loryn Brantz
This board book explores the different sounds of animals, relating them to the joy a human mom would feel with her baby much like animal moms would feel with their little ones. Bunnies, ducks, and playful suns make an appearance. This is the second installment of a 3-part love poem for young infants in this high-contrast book.
What Infants Learn from “For Your Smile”
Infants will learn from “For Your Smile” that it’s fun to have a smile on your face and to laugh when you are happy. Living these simple joys of life shows a baby just how important they are.
You can find For Your Smile on Amazon.
“Now That You’re Here” by Loryn Brantz
As the third part of the three-book series called “A Love Poem Your Baby Can See”, this title captures parents’ excitement as they await the arrival of their bundle of joy. The parents in the book show their little boy how fun it is to take walks, blow bubbles, and do other fun activities together as a family.
What Infants Learn from “Now That You’re Here”
Infants will learn the basis of what they can do in their daily life with family and friends when reading “Now That You’re Here”. The bigger picture is how the world is so vast because there is so much to see and do. As little ones get older, they won’t be afraid to visit new places to explore the unknown.
You can find Now That You’re Here on Amazon.
“What Does Baby See?” by Peter Pauper Press
This simple, high-contrast board book features black and white pictures of various objects, including a sun, a bottle, a tree, a flower, an apple, rain, and many more. While reading each picture to your infant give them a couple of minutes to look at the two pictures while they are doing tummy time. Then, turn to the next pages and repeat the process.
What Infants Learn from “What Does Baby See?”
Babies can learn that the world is filled with so much to experience through sight when they read “What Does Baby See?”. They can build an appreciation for general objects, animals, and weather phenomena around them.
You can find What Does Baby See? on Amazon.
“Mindful Baby Board Book Set” by Aimee Chase & Mudpuppy
The four books in this set include “Calm”, “Nature”, “Sleepy”, and “Happy”. Each page has a couple of words on it with a picture of a baby doing an activity related to each subject. The “Calm” book contains pictures of an infant playing quietly while “Nature” features a little one sitting in the grass or playing in a puddle.
What Infants Learn from “Mindful Baby Board Book Set”
Babies can explore nature and what it means to feel calm, sleepy, and happy. “Mindful Baby Board Book Set” is great for parents who are just starting to read to their little ones and need quick, but educational reads for great engagement.
You can find Mindful Baby Board Book Set on Amazon.
“Baby Einstein: 12 Board Books” by Phoenix International Publications, Inc.
Kickstart your infants’ library with “Baby Einstein: 12 Board Books”. Each mini-book has a different theme where babies can learn and develop including “Shapes”, “Letters”, “Let’s Move”, “Let’s Count”, “Play Day”, “At the Beach”, “At the Park”, “Rhymes”, “Seasons”, “Animals”, “Colors”, and “Goodnight”. 11 of the titles are great for interactive learning during the day while the “Good Night” book could be a great way to end the day before bedtime.
What Infants Learn from “Baby Einstein: 12 Board Books”
Infants will learn so much from “Baby Einstein: 12 Board Books”. They will discover colors, numbers, and letters to kickstart basic learning of preschool and kindergarten principles. Examining the different seasons, animals, and what they can find while at a park or beach will also enhance their learning engagement.
You can find Baby Einstein: 12 Board Books on Amazon.
“Everywhere Babies” by Susan Meyers
This endearing board book shows the many differences babies can have from one another, from the color of their skin to the shape of their body parts. The different seasons in which they were born, along with their heights and weights, make them all unique. However, reading between the lines reveals that this extends beyond surface-level physical appearances.
What Infants Learn from “Everywhere Babies”
Infants come in different shapes and sizes depending on the genes of their mother and father. Little ones reading “Everywhere Babies” with their caregivers can build an appreciation for how special they are because they were born just the way they were.
You can find Everywhere Babies on Amazon.
“Where Is Baby’s Home?” by Karen Katz
Human babies explore with their parents to find the locations of animal homes throughout their community. Bunnies live in a burrow, while birds live in a nest in a tree. The book ends by showing where the babies live with their parents.
What Infants Learn from “Where Is Baby’s Home?”
Infants will learn from “Where Is Baby’s Home? that everyone has a place they can call home. Recognizing where family members, friends, and even animals live will build location awareness.
You can find Where Is Baby’s Home? on Amazon.
“Never Touch an Axolotl” by Cara Jenkins
This colorfully animated board book provides more detail about other animals to avoid touching, except for an axolotl. This includes frogs, dragonflies, and snails. These animals are fun to look at, but they shouldn’t be touched so they can go about their daily tasks.
What Infants Learn from “Never Touch an Axolotl”
Babies can learn from “Never Touch an Axolotl” that animals are great to look at, but you should not always touch them. Leaving them in their natural habitats is where they belong. Axolotl Planet reports that having skin-to-skin contact with one of these creatures could stress it out and decrease its immune system strength.
You can find Never Touch an Axolotl on Amazon.
“First 100 Words” by Roger Priddy
Language development is crucial for an infant, so starting them on learning words is best achieved with this book. The board book is divided into various categories, including colors, foods, vehicles, and items found in nature. This is a great reference book that can be revisited multiple times. Follow up at the end of the day’s activities by pointing out what your baby saw from the book that day.
What Infants Learn from “First 100 Words”
Even if your little one isn’t saying all the words right away after exposure, “First 100 Words” will help them learn the basic building blocks for saying many of them, the more they are repeated. My eldest daughter was given this board book for her first birthday, and we reviewed it every chance I could get. I’d follow up with this reading activity by pointing out different objects in our surroundings related to the book.
You can find First 100 Words on Amazon.
“Happy Birthday, Baby!” by Dr. Seuss
Whether your baby was just born in the hospital or you are reading it to them on subsequent birthdays, “Happy Birthday, Baby!” will make your little one feel special. This was one of the first Dr. Seuss titles to have full-color publishing when it was released in 1959. The Birthday Honk Honker takes little ones on an exploration of how fun birthdays can be with different wacky adventures ensuing throughout the story.
What Infants Learn from “Happy Birthday, Baby!”
Babies can learn rhyming words from “Happy Birthday, Baby!” as Dr. Seuss was famous for writing stories incorporating them. They will also learn that their birthday is a special day to celebrate when they arrive on this Earth, which is the greatest for their family.
You can find Happy Birthday, Baby! on Amazon.
“Peek-a-Who?” by Nina Laden
Laden’s interactive lift-a-flap is awesome for changing up the traditional game of peek-a-boo while learning about different animals. Make this reading more engaging by making animal sounds with your little one. Babies get to look at themselves in a mirror at the end of the book.
What Infants Learn from “Peek-a-Who?”
Infants can learn how to guess animals and objects based on their colors, and then follow up by learning about what sound they make as the pages turn. “Peek-a-Who” exposes babies to different rhyming words with “who” like “boo” and “zoo.”
You can find Peek-a-Who? on Amazon.
“My First Body Board Book” by DK
This is a more realistic board book with pictures of babies and labels with each of their body parts. Since there are no story words to be read, this is better as an interactive learning activity of a caregiver pointing out different body parts to their baby.
What Infants Learn from “My First Body Board Book”
Babies will learn from “My First Body Board Book” that their ears, mouth, nose, head, and other body parts make up who they are. Adult readers can follow up and inform their little ones of what each body part does such as “Your legs help you walk around” and “Your nose helps you smell things like the delicious food we cook in the kitchen.”
You can find My First Body Board Book on Amazon.
“8 Little Planets” by Chris Ferrie
This colorful and interactive board book contains a couple of sentences per page about each key planet in the solar system, culminating in a section about the sun. The smiling planets, rockets, and mini formations make the book baby-friendly. The planet cut-outs make the experience even more interesting as babies go through the book with their caregivers.
What Infants Learn from “8 Little Planets”
Infants start learning about the planets throughout the solar system in “8 Little Planets.” Learning the basic facts about each planet through infancy and toddlerhood will be great building blocks for learning more details about them in grade school.
Some of the best board books for infants are educational, and 8 Little Planets is among the best.
You can find 8 Little Planets on Amazon.
“Dragon’s First Taco” by Adam Rubin
A baby blue dragon explores making a taco for the first time. This is a rendition of “Dragons Love Tacos” from the same author, so that it’s more understandable for little ones to read with their parents or guardians.
What Infants Learn from “Dragon’s First Taco”
“Dragon’s First Taco” is a step-by-step board book that teaches babies not only how to make a taco but also how to complete tasks from start to finish. This is a great book to read before you cook tacos at home, so you can follow up the reading with real-life exploration.
You can find Dragon’s First Taco on Amazon.
“I Kissed the Baby” by Mary Murphy
Mommy Duck’s friends, including an ant, a frog, and a butterfly, are so happy to help her with her baby. They take turns singing, kissing, and doing other activities with the baby duck. What’s more distinctive about this book is that the adult animals are all in black and white while the baby duck is colored yellow. This makes for a great high-contrast book selection for the youngest infants starting reading early.
What Infants Learn from “I Kissed the Baby”
Babies learn that affection can be shared with hugs and kisses when reading “I Kissed the Baby”. Other activities like singing and rocking can soothe your little one when they are upset or having trouble falling asleep for naptime or bedtime.
You can find I Kissed the Baby on Amazon.
“You’re My Hungry Little Caterpillar” by Eric Carle
Babies explore foods, mostly fruits, and different animals while reading this beloved baby version of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”. The ending encourages little ones to try new food with their caregivers.
What Infants Learn from “You’re My Hungry Little Caterpillar”
Little ones learn the names of different foods from the written words in “You’re My Hungry Little Caterpillar”. Caregivers can point out the animals throughout the book to learn their names and the sounds they make, too. I’d love to check out this book at my local library to read to my youngest toddlers because we only have “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” in our home library.
You can find You’re My Hungry Little Caterpillar on Amazon.
“Bedtime Rhymes with The Very Hungry Caterpillar”
Scenes of the hungry caterpillar exploring different nursery rhymes like “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Hickory Dickory Dock” grace the pages of this bedtime rhyme installation of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” series. If you love the world of Eric Carle and singing nursery rhymes, this is the book for you and your infant.
What Infants Learn from “Bedtime Rhymes with The Very Hungry Caterpillar”
Infants can learn from this bedtime rhyme version of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” fun nursery rhyme songs that they will eventually hear in preschool and kindergarten. This is a great prop for doing fun songs before bedtime. Pick a couple of them to do before bedtime each night. Over time, you will find your infants’ favorite songs by how they interact with you as you sing. All my little ones love “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.
You can find Bedtime Rhymes on Walmart’s website.
“Where Is Little Fish?” by Lucy Cousins
The same author as the Maisy Mouse books also wrote this delightful board book for the world’s youngest readers. Little Fish is playing hide-and-seek with its friends. Red, yellow, and blue fish take turns searching for Little Fish in various locations throughout the ocean, including a treasure chest and behind coral reefs.
What Infants Learn from “Where Is Little Fish?”
Just like other books on this list, babies can learn problem-solving and tracking skills as they figure out the main character’s whereabouts in “Where Is Little Fish?” Follow up reading this book with a game of peek-a-boo, which is like the infant version of hide-and-seek.
You can find Where Is Little Fish? on Amazon.
“A Little Spot: My First Emotions” by Diane Abler
Babies are introduced to Scribble Spot, which is filled with so many colors with each one symbolizing a different feeling. Red stands for anger, orange is for confidence, yellow equates to happiness, blue for sadness, and so on. After introducing each color, Scribble Spot asks a rhetorical question about when the reader has ever felt that emotion.
What Infants Learn from “A Little Spot: My First Emotions”
Emotional intelligence and learning about feelings are key lessons taught to infants in “A Little Spot: My First Emotions”. As little ones learn to talk, they will eventually verbally express their feelings, so teaching them early is essential.
You can find A Little Spot: My First Emotions on Amazon.
“Pat the Bunny” by Dorothy Kunhardt
Readers are introduced to Paul and Judy on the first page of “Pat the Bunny”. Judy pats the bunny, and then readers can take a turn to pat the furry figment on the next page. Playing peek-a-boo, smelling flowers, and looking into a mirror are other activities your infant can try while reading this book.
What Infants Learn from “Pat the Bunny”
Infants reading “Pat the Bunny” will heighten their senses with touch (patting the bunny), smell (sniffing the flowers), and sight (peek-a-boo with Paul). I have seen this book before, but I had never tried it out with any of my children. I plan to check it out at my local library to read to my youngest daughter.
You can find Pat the Bunny on Amazon.
“The Wonderful Things You Will Be” by Emily Winfield Martin
Parental narrators are talking to their children about their anticipations of what their children will become. They wonder if their children will learn to care for animals, help plants grow, or engage in other nurturing activities. These narrators also wonder what careers their children may pursue as they grow into adults.
What Infants Learn from “The Wonderful Things You Will Be”
Babies learn from “The Wonderful Things You Will Be” that anything is possible when reaching their dreams. Anybody can be anything they want to be as long as they put their mind to it.
You can find The Wonderful Things You Will Be on Amazon.
“Are You Small?” by Mo Willems
The author showcases small animals and items. However, they have big potential in another way. For example, a book is small, but it contains many big ideas. Cookie crumbs are very small, but they are still tasty.
What Infants Learn from “Are You Small?”
Babies learn from “Are You Small?” that even small things or individuals have huge potential. Little ones may be small in stature, but they can develop at a rapid pace by learning new words. They can also learn to be kind to others and be a great friend to those their age within their community.
You can find Are you Small? on Amazon.
“Are You Big?” by Mo Willems
Mo Willems compares big kids to larger objects. A cloud, continents, storms, the moon, and otherworldly phenomena and locations are showcased. The book goes into further detail about how big the Milky Way, galaxy clusters, and other outer space figments are.
What Infants Learn from “Are You Big?”
“Are You Big?” teaches infants that there are many things around the world that are bigger than them. However, no matter how big someone or something is, there is a reason that everyone and everything exists on this planet.
You can find Are You Big? on Amazon.
“Doris” by Lo Cole
Doris the red elephant prefers to blend in with those around her rather than stand out. She blends in with birds looking for their worm meals and flowers within a field. Little ones can try to find Doris who is blending in throughout these scenes. Doris eventually embraces who she is after an encounter with fish in the sea of red. Once she wades through it, Doris is relieved to feel herself again.
What Infants Learn from “Doris”
Babies reading “Doris” can learn that their uniqueness makes them special. It’s hard to fit in with a crowd, but learning to accept oneself is the key to happiness.
You can find Doris on Amazon.
“The World Is Awaiting You” by Marianne Richmond
New beginnings are sometimes scary. However, the characters within this book’s community showcase how thrilling and opportunistic new beginnings can be. They can be explored by physically doing something new with your hands, reforming thinking, or using your voice to make a difference.
What Infants Learn from “The World Is Awaiting You”
Reading “World Is Awaiting You” teaches little ones another lesson in how being unique is special. Every day is a new opportunity to explore and learn new things. Each individual can make a difference in various ways based on their personality and great ideas.
You can find The World Is Awaiting You on Amazon.
Reading to your infants early in life enhances their language development. Even if they are not saying these words, the more you talk to your baby, the more these words act as building blocks for their language skills.
There is a nearly endless number of board books available to purchase for your home library on Amazon to read to your infants. If you want to try out a book before making a purchase, see if it’s available at your local library to borrow temporarily.
Reading before nap time during the day or before bedtime is an excellent opportunity to interact and have fun with your little one, and I hope you find my list of the best board books for infants to be helpful as you navigate parenthood with your little ones.
