best educational books for 1 year old

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Best Books for 1-Year-Olds

These must-have books make a wonderful addition to every baby’s bookshelf..

Every time your one-year-old picks up a new book , they’re opening a window to the world. With each turn of the page they’re experiencing new sounds, sights, and words. By sharing a board book full of bright colors, different textures, and even some funny sounds, you’re planting the first seeds of your child’s literacy skills, as well as a love of reading that will last a lifetime.  

Interactive Books for Squishing, Lifting, and Feeling

Now your baby is one, they’re beginning to learn more about the world around them through their senses. And robust and tactile board books are a great way to help your child use their senses for learning, while developing their fine motor skills. Books are also a great way of introducing your child to simple concepts like letters, body parts, animals, and lots more.  

Little fingers will love learning their ABCs with the Scholastic Early Learner title Touch and Feel: ABC . This interactive book features bright, colorful pictures as well as easy-to-pull tabs that make it perfect for young readers to turn the page.  

With updated art, Peek-a-Boo, I Love You! is an adorable lift-the-flap book that blends heartfelt messages of love with a sweet game of peek-a-boo. Your little one will squeal with excitement when a surprise mirror reveals which little baby is loved most of all!

Must-Have Counting Books for 1-Year-Olds 

You may have already begun teaching your baby how to count on their fingers, but there’s no better way to help your child learn to recognize numbers than a counting book . Plus, introducing the concept of number order through an engaging book can help improve your child’s cognitive ability.      

A great book to start with is Five Little Dinosaurs , which features rhyming text and bold, graphic artwork and tells the classic story of five mischievous little monsters who just don’t want to go to bed! 

Meanwhile, the Scholastic Early Learner , 5 Big and Busy Trucks is a touch-and-feel book with a singsong text and five silicone touches that encourage readers to interact with every vehicle. 

Your baby will delight in reading the colorful book The Ants Go Marching: A Count-and-Sing Book , which puts a new spin on the classic song while teaching number order from one through five.  

Favorite Animal Books for Your Baby  

No little library is complete without a collection of books that teach an appreciation for the natural world. Learning about animal friends and animal sounds from an early age is a great way to spark curiosity and harness your child’s interest in all creatures, great and small.

What’s cuter than a book about animals? Why, a book about baby animals, of course! Touch and Feel Baby Animals features cute photographs of baby animals as well as plenty of tactile areas for young hands to touch and explore. 

Meanwhile, Farm Tails is an interactive Touch and Explore book from Scholastic Early Learners that features five adorable cloth tails and a basic introduction to farm animals.   

If you’re looking for a great gift for a baby, then the Raise a Reader Set: Fantastic Animal Board Books is both thoughtful and fun. Featuring different characters and lots of laughs, this collection is sure to be a hit for years to come.   

Classic Children’s Books and Nursery Rhymes 

Rhyming books are a great way to introduce the concept of rhyming words to children from a young age. 

A cute interpretation of the beloved children’s song, You Are My Sunshine is a sweet book with beautiful illustrations that invites little readers to sing along and remind them just how loved they are. Meanwhile, Twinkle, Twinkle, You’re My Star offers an interactive experience for you and your child as a finger puppet star comes to life on every page!       

If you’re looking for a board version of a classic children’s book to share with your child, then look no further than Clifford the Big Red Dog Board Book . The thick pages are easy for young readers to turn — and you’ll be magically transported back to your own childhood while sharing this classic book with the next generation. 

Best Books for Your Bedtime Routine 

Making family read aloud time part of your child’s evening routine is the perfect way to bond at the end of every day, as well as creating a healthy daily habit of reading. Seeing their favorite characters get ready for bed models good behavior for your child and lets them know it’s almost time for them to say goodnight, too. 

In Clifford’s Bedtime , the adorable little red puppy exasperates his mother by thinking of creative ways to postpone bedtime. Meanwhile, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? is a rip-roaringly fun book that shows us that we all have to say good night — no matter our size.

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Why Should You Read to a 1-Year-Old?

Reading is more than bonding time, although it works well for that. Toddlers love to snuggle up with their parents and read a book, but evidence shows us that kids who were read to as a toddler do better in school.

Exposure to books is great for early literacy skills and offers several benefits, such as:

• Increasing the size of your toddler’s vocabulary
• Teaches children how to use words properly
• Begins the process of phonemic awareness (understanding that words are made of smaller sounds)
• Teaches your toddler that the letters and marks on the page are words
• Helps your child learn the alphabet

Flashcards and special reading games are great, but the true key for toddlers to learn beginning literacy skills comes down to being read to throughout their life.

What’s the Reading Level for a 1-Year-Old?

Are you trying to decide if a book is the perfect reading level for your one-year-old or too advanced?

By the time your child reaches one year old, you can read books that have complete sentences, and they might start to identify objects in books.

It’s the perfect time to start asking questions, such as “what does a cow say” or “where is the dog?” Between one and two years old, your child will start to name familiar pictures and point out objects they know.

Don’t be surprised when you find your toddler pretending to read books! That’s a great sign.

Between 18 months and two years old, your child will have longer patience and enjoy true stories with a plot. This is a great time to introduce rhyming books and nursery rhymes.

I notice that this is the time when my children start to have a favorite book that they request to read every day. This ritual makes kids happy, even if you’re ready to scream after reading it for the 50th time that week!

What Makes a Book Great for 1 Year Olds?

There are a variety of books for little ones out there, but the best ones depend on who’s reading them. If you want books to read to your child while they’re sitting on your lap or at bedtime, you can opt for a higher-level book with pages.

For independent reading from your one-year-old, board books are the best choice as they can turn the pages easily and are typically geared for younger toddlers.

Board books with fun features make it even more engaging for your 1-year-old. These include:

• Flip-open-pages
• Lift-the-flaps
• Different textures
• Touch-and-feel
• Buttons that make sounds

Books that rhyme and have repetition are always preferred by toddlers. Eventually, they learn the rhymes and repeat them with you.

If your toddler has favorite things, like tractors or unicorns, grab some books around these topics. Your child will love that!

21 Best Books for 1-Year-Olds

If you want to add more books to your collection, check out some of these books that you and your toddler are sure to love.

1. The Wonderful Things You’ll Be by Emily Martin

This adorable book is all about a parent’s love for their children forever. The Wonderful Things You Will Be celebrates the acceptance that parents have for their kids and talks about how a parent wonders about all the amazing things their child will do in their lives.

Without a doubt, The Wonderful Things You Will Be is a heartfelt book perfect for goodnight storytime! However, it’s not a book to let your 1 year old read on their own because it contains thin pages.

2. First 100 Words by Roger Priddy

Every toddler needs to have this in their collection of board books. This is the classic version, but they also sell a farm-themed book that toddlers love.

This book has pictures of the 100 most common first words for toddlers. Start by reading the words and pointing to the pictures for your toddler, but as he gets older, you can ask your child to point to the pictures when you say their name. It’s a great way to build your one-year-old’s speech and vocabulary.

Later, this book helps to teach sight words to your early readers.

3. Where is Baby’s Belly Button? by Karen Katz

This adorable book starts by asking where your baby’s eyes are, and it goes on to ask about other body parts. All of them can be found under the flap.

Use this book to help teach your one-year-old about all the different parts of their body. The flaps are easy for toddlers to lift and thick, so they won’t rip easily.

4. Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton

Ready to laugh? Moo, Baa, La, La, La is full of silliness! You get to mimic different animals sounds, and your child will undoubtedly laugh throughout the book. From horses to dogs and all kinds of animals in between, this book is a great way to introduce your child to different animal sounds.

5. Playtown: A Lift-The-Flap Book by Roger Priddy

Toddlers love flip-the-flap books! This book shows the details of a working town like the airport, grocery store, hospital, and other shops. It has over 35 flaps for your toddler to lift up and check out!

6. Do Cows Meow? by Salina Yoon

Do Cows Meow? is the perfect book to talk about the sounds that different animals make, and your toddler will love imitating all the sounds. This lift-a-flap book shows what sounds that animals like sheep, frogs, cows, and ducks make.

Your toddler will love and giggle so much while reading this book!

7. Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr.

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? is a classic story for toddlers, and this version has buttons for your toddler to press to hear the sounds that animals make. When each animal appears on the page, your child can press the button; they’ll love this book!

8. Hear Bear Roar by Eric Carle

Does your child love animals? Eric Carle brings your toddler this amazing, colorful book with 30 animals and buttons for your toddler to press. Each page is colorful and inviting for todlers to enjoy. It’s a must-have for one-year-old kids!

9. Wild Animals: A Touch and Feel Book by Little Hippo Books

Toddlers love to feel different textures, and this book is the perfect way to explore that sensory! They feel different textures that five animals have like a koala’s fur and an elephant’s hide.

Let your toddler explore their senses with this simple book.

Book Subscription to LillyPost

Don’t let your book selection be up to chance. Try out LillyPost’s book subscription for your little one so you have several new books arriving at your door monthly! The Board Book Box is great for children aged 0-3.

In each box, you will find four perfect reads that will bring so much joy to the baby or toddler in your life!

10. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Every child needs to have Goodnight Moon in his collection; it’s been a classic for decades.

Goodnight Moon follows a little bunny as he says goodnight to different objects around his house, like his socks, the clocks, the moon, and mittens. Kids love the gentle flow of this book, and the rhyming makes it a great introduction to reading.

It’s easy for kids to memorize and recite along with their parents and it is a board book so it’s perfect for your 1 year old to turn the pages.

11. I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth

I Love You To The Moon and Back follows a bear and her cub as they go throughout their day. They splash in the water and climb a mountain, and they share their love by touching noses, hugging, and cuddling.

This is a sweet book to share with a toddler, and there are customization pages in the beginning, so this is a great book for a one-year-old as a gift.

12. The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

This is one of the best board books for 1-year-olds, but it’s also available as a paperback.

Pout-Pout Fish follows this glum fish as he goes about, and he discovers that being glum and sad isn’t the best way to live his life. Being sad isn’t his destiny! The book is full of bright colors and fun pictures for one-year-olds to enjoy with their parents.

13. If Animals Kissed Goodnight by Ann Whitford Paul

If animals said good-night as we do, what would that look like?

It’s a silly topic wrapped into an adorable book for toddlers. This book follows a giraffe, a wolf, and a sloth as they say good-night to their babies. Each creature shows its love in a different way; I find this book endearing and the perfect book to read before bedtime.

Related Post: 14 Activities for 14-Month-Olds to Develop Skills and Senses

14. Dear Zoo: A Lift-The-Flap Book by Rod Campbell

Written in 1982, Dear Zoo is ones of the best books for 1-year-olds! Kids love the flaps that lift up to show a new animal that they’ll find at the zoo. They’ll find lions, a monkey, but will they find the perfect pet?

Read the book to find out! Every toddler needs this book on their bookshelf.

15. Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden

Peek-a-Who is a book that is full of hidden animals that your toddler has to find. You lift flaps and turn to the next page to find the answer.

It’s full of phrases and rhyming words that allow your child to participate in the reading. Not to mention every kid loves the funny sounds!

16. Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama Red Pajama is an iconic book for children. It’s a rhyming story about all the drama that a little llama causes before bedtime. It causes little kids to laugh hysterically, and the rhyming helps with early reading skills!

Your toddler will identify with some of the feelings that Baby Llama has, while you’ll appreciate the gentleness and reassurance that comes from the Mama Llama.

Related Post: 1 Year Old Milestones: Typical Development in Your New Toddler

17. Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill

Spot is iconic in the toddler book world; everyone knows who Spot is! This sweet book is a lift-a-flap book, and you search for Spot.

Where is Spot?

Your one-year-old will love to lift up the flaps to look for Spot, and when Spot finally is found, you can bet that your child will be so excited. It’s an adorable story that has been around for several decades and continues to be a best-seller.

18. Bright and Early Dr. Seuss Books

Dr. Seuss is one of the top authors of children’s books. but you can start your toddlers early and buy them this Little Blue Box of Bright and Early Board Books. If you’re looking for board books for 1-year-olds, you can’t go wrong with this collection.

In this set, you get four popular books that your toddler will love, like Hop on Pop and Tens Apples Up on Top. These books are shortened and made easier for toddlers to enjoy, and most focus on rhyming to help develop early reading skills. Rhyming is a necessary skill.

Best of all, these are board books, so one set will make it through all of your kids!

19. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom has been a classic for over thirty years, so you know that it’s one of the best books for 1-year-olds.

This book is an alphabet chant that kids love. In this alphabet rhyme, the letters race up the coconut tree, but will there be enough room for all of them? Oh no! You’ll find out that there isn’t room for them all.

For decades, kids and parents have enjoyed this silly book, memorizing their favorite parts of the story.

Related Post: 14 Simple Activities You Should Be Doing With Your 1 Year Old

20. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae

If you’re looking for another option for the best board books for 1-year-olds, you need Giraffes Can’t Dance.

This book follows Gerald the Giraffe who wants to do nothing more in life than dance, but giraffes don’t dance. His thin legs and crooked knees make dancing too hard for Gerald, but with the help of a friend, Gerald finds his tune and starts to dance.

What a great book to teach our kids from an early age that they can do anything they want to do!

21. Corduroy by Don Freeman

Corduroy is another one of the best books for 1-year-olds that I think all kids need to have on their bookshelf. Whether your child is one or five years old, Corduroy is an adorable story. It follows Corduroy who lost his button, and he has to go through the department store where he lives to find his button.

Every kid and adult loves Corduroy!

22. Just One You

There is nobody else in the whole world just like you! Chances are that your 1 year old loves Sesame Street. In this book , Elmo, Big Bird, and all the rest of the Sesame Street friends are here to tell you just how special you truly are!

23. Little Blue Truck

Little Blue Truck is a series of books with lots of animal characters and of course, the little blue truck. They have books for every season and holiday as well.

You can purchase these books on Amazon.com. Try installing a VPN using this  download link  if you are having trouble accessing the website in your country. You can test it out for free.

How to Get My 1-Year-Old to Like Books

If you didn’t read to your child throughout infancy, don’t feel bad. Many parents wait to start reading to their child; it’s NEVER too late.

When your toddler is busy, it might feel like they’ll never like books, but they will. The first trick is to read to your one-year-old at least once per day or more.

Pick regular times to read to your one-year-old; naptime and bedtime are the two most common times to read because your child is relaxed and calm. Always give your child your full attention when reading and encourage participation from your toddler while reading.

Here are some other tips to get your one-year-old to like books.

• Let your toddler pick out the book. Give your child an option of three books and read the one they want to hear.
• Show your toddler how to turn the pages.
• Talk about the pictures and ask your child to find things on the pages. Ask what they see and point our emotions in the pictures.
• When your child is old enough to repeat familiar or repetitive phrases, let your child finish the sentence. This helps your child learn more about reading than you realize.

Tips for Reading to Toddlers

Not everyone feels comfortable reading aloud to their child; it’s sometimes a skill you have to work on as a parent, but the benefits make it worth it. Reading together should be fun, not a chore!

Here are some tips for reading to toddlers that make the experience better for you and your child!

• Read to your toddler when asked . Sometimes, that means you have to read the same book over and over again, but that encourages the love that your toddler has for books.
• Use different voices for different characters while reading . Not only does this making reading to your one-year-old more exciting, but it brings the story alive for your child.
• Always read slowly . Now isn’t the time to speed read, even if you have things you need to get finished for the day. Toddlers need a slow story to help understand what is happening.
• Talk about the pictures . Point out what is happening in the pictures, expressions on the characters’ faces, and name things they might spot. Later, ask your child to point out different things they see in the book.
• Ask open ended questions . As your child gets older, ask your child what they think will happen in the story. Ask what they think the characters might feel as the events unfold in the story.
• Sitting still isn’t required . Drop the expectation that reading to your child involves them sitting still; that’s not reality. Your child listens fine while coloring, building with blocks, or playing. Even if your child doesn’t look at you, it doesn’t mean they aren’t interested or listening.
• Always have fun . If your child thinks that you aren’t having fun while reading, they won’t have fun either. Your one-year-old needs to know that reading is fun.

Finding the best books for 1-year-olds isn’t hard; look for colorful books with funny stories or plots that your toddler will understand. You can find so many books that your toddler will love; there is a never-ending selection available for toddlers, so start filling up your bookshelf!

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Teacher-Tested Toddler Tales: The 15 Best Books for One-and-Two-Year-Olds

• Family Time Tips & Tools , Toddlers
• March 7, 2018

Early childhood educators and experts share their favorite toddler books to add to your little learner’s library.

Toddlerhood is a great time to create a reading ritual with your child. Bring books to life with funny voices, sounds and movement. Reread their favorites (as if you have a choice) and pause to let them finish the sentence or say the wrong word on purpose and see if they correct you. Talk about the pictures on each page and describe what is happening. A positive reading experience that is fun and engaging helps your toddler build early literacy skills, develop a lifelong love of reading and nurture a stronger bond with you. 

Here are a few of our favorite toddler books to add to your collection. Be sure to share YOUR favorites below in the comments!  

All the World

Written by Liz Garton Scanlon

With beautiful watercolor illustrations and a message of love and family life, this Caldecott Honor book explores different community settings through the eyes of a diverse family.

“It has beautiful art. The words are very lyrical (in fact I’m working on adding a tune to it). And the message is one of love and living together peacefully.” –  Seth Pederson, Toddler Teacher at Day Early Learning State Government Center

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Written by Bill Martin Jr., Illustrated by Eric Carle

This is a great book for all ages. It introduces colors, animals, repetition and rhyming. Kids love this book because of the sing-song nature of the words and the beautiful images. It is also easy for students to read along with the book the more familiar they become with it.

Submitted by: Trisha Satterfield, Pre-K Teacher at Day Early Learning at Phalen Leadership Academy

Circus Ship

Written and Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

Circus Ship is sure to delight adults and animal-loving little learners alike. The lyrical story is fun to read, and the charming illustrations offer lots of details for tots to discover. There’s even a page of hide-and-seek animals to find.  

Submitted by: Brittany Fortman, Early Learning Indiana Manager of Communications & Engagement

Dragons Love Tacos

Written by Adam Rubin

Did you know dragons love tacos? This playful story tells all about why dragons love tacos, but beware the spicy salsa!

“It’s funny and keeps the children interested if you read it passionately.” –  Alethia Minzlaff, Toddler Teacher at Day Early Learning Lilly Family Center

Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site

Written by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Written in poetic and colorful language, Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site offers the perfect way to wind down for kids who love anything on wheels.

Submitted by: Kirsten Eamon-Shine, Early Learning Indiana Director of Statewide Communication & Engagement

Hush! A Gaelic Lullaby

Written by Carole Gerber

Based on ancient Gaelic song, an extended family prepares for a storm all while the baby cries until they’re all settled around the fire and the baby is finally asleep.

“This story uses rhythm and rhyme known to help establish math skills. It also is a story that exemplifies compassion and family love.” –  Dawn Johnson, Day Early Learning Quality Coach

I Love You Because You’re You

Written by Liza Baker, Illustrated by David McPhail

A mama fox tells her little fox of her unconditional love for him as she describes his many moods. A heartfelt message that also helps children identify and understand emotions.

“This book helps students learn to identify and express emotions. It also helps build self-worth and strengthens relationships between the reader and those being read to.” –  Trisha Satterfield, Pre-K Teacher at Day Early Learning at Phalen Leadership Academy

I Love You Stinky Face

Written by Lisa Mccourt

Another story about a mother’s unconditional love for her child, but with a funny and not-so-sappy twist. As the mother is putting her child to sleep, she tells him she loves him, but then his imagination runs wild and the reader is along for the ride. What if I’m a big, scary ape or a super-smelly skunk? Would you love me then?  

“This story shows a bedtime ritual between a mother and her son where she tells him she’ll love him no matter what… even if he’s a super-smelly skunk named Stinky Face!” –  Matt Miller, Center Director at Day Early Learning Federal Building

Little Blue Truck

Written by Alice Schertle

A wonderful story about a friendly little blue farm truck who helps his friends teaches children a lesson on kindness. Little Blue Truck is great for helping young toddlers identify animals and their sounds. It has a simple, rythmic story that’s short enough for younger toddlers, but has rich and delightful illustrations that older toddlers can build on. Sure to be a favorite.

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Written by Anna Dewdney

We love the Llama Llama series for exploring various social and emotional themes. This particular story addresses the trials of bedtime and separation anxiety. The wonderful illustrations bring feelings to life as Baby Llama wails for his mama in the darkness of his room. The reassuring message “Mama Llama’s always near, even if she’s not right here,” is easy for toddlers to understand and repeat when they’re experiencing their own feelings of separation anxiety.

“My student’s love the story because of the rhyming and the cute pictures.” –  Larissa Freeman, Office Manager at IU Health West Day Early Learning

Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too

Another Anna Dewdney favorite, this time for dads! An involved and doting father helps his daughter build a playhouse out of a cardboard box, takes her to the store, gives her a ride on his shoulders and makes dinner. A great daddy-daughter book with the same great illustrations as the llama llama series.

“It shows different gender roles than what is considered typical.” –  Alethia Minzlaff, Toddler Teacher at Day Early Learning Lilly Family Center

Written by Leslie Patricelli

Light on words, but full of fun, “Potty” takes your toddler through the process of going potty and the feelings and questions that come with it. Toddlers will laugh out loud as you act out all the faces the boy makes as he says sits on the potty for the first time and waits for the “Tinkle, Tinkle, Toot” to come. A great introduction to prepare for potty training.

“My daughter loves listening to me read this book or reading the book to herself. She loves acting out the different things she sees in the illustrations. It has helped her prepare for potty training so much.” –  Trisha Satterfield, Pre-K Teacher at Day Early Learning at Phalen Leadership Academy

Raindrop, Plop

Written by Wendy Cheyette Lewison

A vibrant springtime tale that follows a little girl on a rainy day. She counts the raindrops up to ten and then goes inside for a bath and counts back down. The short, rhythmic text is easy for toddlers to memorize and provides them with the opportunity to “read” it on their own. The charming and detailed illustrations are fun for little readers to pour over and discover nature.

“This book is great for counting, colors and observation of texture, nature and other surroundings.” –  Christopher McCastle, Office Manager at Day Early Learning State Government Center

The Gruffalo

Written by Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Axel Scheffler

A clever mouse takes a stroll through the deep dark wood and meets a fox, an owl and a snake along the way. He outwits his enemies by inventing a terrible creature to ward them off – the Gruffalo. With playful and rich illustrations and a surprising twist at the end, The Gruffalo is sure to be a favorite.

Submitted by: Brittany Fortman, Early Learning Indiana Manager of Communications & Engagement

Where the Wild Things Are

Written by Maurice Sendak

A timeless classic perfect for the toddler crowd. Caldecott Medal-winning picture book Where the Wild Things Are tells the tale of a boy named Max who was sent to bed after making mischief of one kind or another.

“ Where the Wild Things Are can be a great, engaging story! Children can help “roar their terrible roars” right along with you!” –  Matt Miller, Center Director at Day Early Learning Federal Building

What books thrill your toddler? Add your family’s favorites in the comments below! 

Curious about how literacy skills develop in our classrooms explore more about our curriculum for one-year-olds and two-year-olds today.

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The 21 Best Books to Read to a 1-Year-Old

“Bear,” my son said as he handed me the book.

“You want to read this one?” I verified.

He nodded emphatically before climbing into my lap.

Between 1-2 years is my favorite time to read with my kids. Toddlers at this age are absorbing so much information that books fascinate them. And they’re building their language skills and literacy skills, which makes it a great time to read.

When my boys were 1, they would sit still and listen to longer books than they would at 2. It’s a beautiful time for reading. I treasured those precious moments when my baby started grabbing books for himself and climbing into my lap to listen.

But not all books are created equal. Some may be too long or wordy for this age, and others too simple. So, I’ve created a list of the best books for this in-between stage. I hope your 1-year-old loves these books as much as mine have.

The 21 Best Books for 1-Year-Olds – Quick Shop

• Giraffes Can’t Dance Giles Andreae
• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Helen Oxenbury
• There’s a Dragon in Your Book Tom Fletcher
• Dinosaur Dig! Penny Dale
• Roadwork Sally Sutton
• Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site Sherri Duskey Rinker
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Bill Martin Jr.
• That’s Not My Dinosaur Fiona Watt
• Dear Zoo Rod Campbell
• Dinosaur Dance! Sandra Boynton
• Moo Baa Fa La La La La! Sandra Boynton
• Where’s the Pumpkin? Fhiona Galloway
• Things that Go! Make Believe Ideas
• Love You Forever Robert Munsch
• Baby Shark Little Hippo Books
• There’s a Bear on My Chair Ross Collins
• Trains Coming Through! Stephanie Morgan
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle
• Little Blue Truck Alice Shertle
• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Bill Martin Jr.
• Good Night Moon Margaret Wise Brown

The 21 Best Books to Read to 1-Year-Olds

1. giraffes can’t dance giles andreae.

Giraffes Can’t Dance is about a clumsy giraffe who is laughed at for being a terrible dancer until he finds his music.

This is such a fun book for one-year-olds. Its calming and slow rhyme scheme makes it easy to memorize, which children at this age excel at. It’s easy and fun for both adults and children. Though it’s long, the rhyme scheme helps make it quick to read. Plus, including many wild animals helps familiarize your child with animals they may see at the zoo.

Although your child may not understand the message at this age, it’s still a beautiful book that you’ll both enjoy reading.

2. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Helen Oxenbury

The story follows a family looking for a bear. After quite a trek, they realize how bad of an idea this adventure is.

This classic book is perfect for 1-year-olds who love repetition and onomatopoeia (words written as they sound–“Squelch Squerch”). This is a literary effect that I’ve found kids this age love. I read We’re Going on a Bear Hunt to my 1 and 3-year-old, and it was a bigger hit with my 1-year-old.

3. There’s a Dragon in Your Book Tom Fletcher

There’s a Dragon in Your Book is one of Tom Flectcher’s interactive books (his most popular is There’s a Monster in Your Book ). In this book, there’s an egg in your book. When you aren’t careful, it hatches into a baby dragon. You spend the rest of the book caring for the dragon using your imagination.

I like this book for 1-year-olds because a monster in your book can be a little scary (it scared my son at 1), but a baby dragon isn’t scary. It’s cute. Plus, this book requires less movement with the book (twists, turns, shakes), and my son could participate earlier with it. It makes for an engaging and interactive read.

4. Dinosaur Dig! Penny Dale

Dinosaur Dig! tells the story of a group of dinosaurs as they complete a construction project. Each step of the way.

This is the perfect book for 1-year-old boys. Both of my boys loved construction and dinosaurs at an early age. Dinosaur Dig! combines them, along with some counting. On top of that, each page includes some construction sounds as part of the text. My 1-year-old loves all of this. Dinosaurs, trucks, and sounds make it a great book for a 1-year-old boy.

5. Roadwork Sally Sutton

This book uses rhythmic text to describe roadwork in a fun, rhythmic way that keeps a child’s attention. Each page discusses a different machine and how it works to build the road.

Roadwork uses words to describe the roadwork’s sounds (onomatopoeia) and has beautiful illustrations that include many trucks.

This is sure to be one of your 1-year-old’s favorite books.

6. Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site Sherri Duskey Rinker

This book examines the work on a construction site and the hardworking machines working hard to do the job. Now that the site is closing, we say goodbye to each truck.

Both of my boys became fascinated by trucks at around 18 months. I bought Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site for my firstborn when he was 2. He liked it, but it was always a little long to hold his attention. At 3, it didn’t hold his attention at all. I found with my 2nd born that the magical age for this book is 18 months. At 18 months, he sat quietly, captivated while I read. After a few reads, he started saying goodnight to each type of construction truck along with the book, and it became one of our favorite reads for our bedtime routine.

7. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Bill Martin Jr.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? uses Eric Carle’s illustrations to include a different animal that the other sees on each page. Each animal is drawn in bright colors.

This is one of our baby favorites that continues to be a favorite for one-year-olds. Color recognition is an important skill at this age, and animals are always a hit. Once my child is familiar with the book, I like to add animal sounds to each animal. Eventually, my son responds with the animal sounds when he sees each animal. This has always made it a favorite for young children.

8. That’s Not My Dinosaur Fiona Watt

That’s Not My Dinosaur is a touch-and-feel book that uses touch to identify different textures that don’t belong to the mouse’s dinosaur. It’s a simple book and can seem uneventful, but toddlers love it.

It wasn’t much of a hit with my son until he was closer to 2 (about 20 months). He started asking to read it, and I quickly realized he memorized the whole book and understood the different textures.

9. Dear Zoo Rod Campbell

In this lift-the-flap book, the narrator writes to the zoo, and they send him several unsuitable pets before finally sending him the perfect one.

Dear Zoo is a classic favorite in our family. My boys love lifting the flaps and reacting to the animals they find. As they age, I have them call out the animal’s name under the flap before I continue reading. They love participating in this read.

10. Dinosaur Dance! Sandra Boynton

Sandra Boynton books are perfect for 1-year-olds. They’re clever and fun but short and simple too.

Dinosaur Dance! is one of our favorites because it has a catchy song. Each dinosaur is introduced by name and does a different dance. The dance words will stick in your and your toddlers’ heads, and you’ll quickly have this one memorized.

11. Moo Baa Fa La La La La! Sandra Boynton

Moo Baa Fa La La La La! is my favorite Christmas book for 1-year-olds. It’s a Christmas take on Moo, Baa, La La La! , and I personally think it’s better than the original. As with many of Sandra Boynton’s books, it is read in a song. The book also includes animals and animal noises, which toddlers love.

Moo Baa Fa La La La La! is set to the tune of the song Deck the Halls, which makes it catchy and fun to read.

You Might Also Like Easter Books for Babies

12. Where’s the Pumpkin? Fhiona Galloway

This Halloween book follows a cat named Spook as he searches for a pumpkin (which he’s never seen before). He mistakes several different items for pumpkins, and other characters fill in additional descriptive features as he continues to look.

Where’s the Pumpkin? is such a basic book that I would have dismissed it as not interesting enough, but my toddlers love it. It taught them both what a pumpkin was and made them excited about it. And they love to repeat the last line, “I love pumpkins!”

The Best Valentine’s Day Books for Babies & Toddlers

13. Things that Go! Make Believe Ideas

Things that Go! is a simple but well-designed touch-and-feel book about things that go. It has cute rhyming text on each page and a vehicle that includes a patch of silicone to feel. Boys especially seem to love planes, trucks, and anything from a young age.

This interactive book is fun to read. It’s the perfect addition to your baby’s library.

14. Love You Forever Robert Munsch

This classic picture book is about a mom and her relationship with her son over the years. As he grows into an adult, we see the mom’s continued commitment to him as her baby.

Love You Forever is a sweet book that has a soft spot in most moms’ hearts. So I was thrilled when it also became a favorite of my 1-year-old. I rock him back and forth as described in the book, and though it’s long, he loves repeating the phrases and finding new items in the pictures.

15. Baby Shark Little Hippo Books

Even if your toddler never watches TV, they will love this song once they hear it. This book includes a finger puppet that you can use to dance around while you sing. My toddler loves these finger puppet books and the baby shark song (I think he heard it at daycare).

This Baby Shark book isn’t a story. It just follows the baby shark song with an image of each member of the shark family and a finger puppet. But it’s fun, and your toddler will love it.

16. There’s a Bear on My Chair Ross Collins

There’s a Bear on My Chair is a story about a mouse who can’t get a large polar bear out of his chair. This is a frustrating problem that he can’t seem to solve. Written in rhymes that will stick with your 1-year-old even though this is a longer book.

My 1-year-old loves animals and is fascinated by bears, so he loves this book. Even if yours doesn’t, I think this is a great addition to any 1 year old’s reading schedule.

17. Trains Coming Through! Stephanie Morgan

This is a good book about trains—all different kinds of trains. Follow along as they do their jobs.

Trains Coming Through! uses action words and rhyme that will appeal to your toddler. If your toddler loves things that go, they’ll love learning about trains in this engaging book.

18. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle

This classic children’s book is about a caterpillar who eats through a week’s worth of food and then turns into a butterfly. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great science book for young readers that’s perfect for toddlers and helps them understand the transformations that happen in nature.

Your 1-year-old will love counting along with you as the caterpillar eats through a week’s worth of food.

19. Little Blue Truck Alice Shertle

Join Little Blue Truck as he greets different animals on the farm and goes about his life in a friendly way. Only to be shoved aside by a busy dump truck that quickly learns a lesson about the importance of slowing down and being kind.

Little Blue Truck is quickly a favorite book of kids of all ages and adults alike. Soon you’ll have it memorized and never get tired of reading it. My toddlers love the farm animals, their noises, and, of course, the dump truck.

20. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Bill Martin Jr.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a fun spin on the ABCs and a great way to introduce them without being so serious about memorization. The letters climb the coconut tree, but it’s too crowded, and things are bound to be messy.

If you’re looking for a way to talk about letters without singing the alphabet song, this new twist will help your toddler recall the letters. Besides that, it’s a book that they are sure to love reading.

21. Good Night Moon Margaret Wise Brown

This classic story also made it onto my list of baby books. I’ve found that both of my boys continued to love this book (much to my confusion) as they entered their second year. Something about the simple naming of items and the calming story makes this a favorite.

Good Night Moon engages toddlers with its rhyming and shifts from color to black and white each time you turn the page.

Related: The Best Books for 2-Year-Olds & The Best Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

That’s my list of all the best books I’ve found for 1-year-olds. I hope you use this list of good books to find new books that make reading time special for you both. And that your toddler will soon be bringing you books to read.

Want to instill a love of reading in your kids? Sign up for my free email series on raising readers and start building a positive relationship with books today.

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Acacia is a mom of two boys and a librarian. She has worked as a teacher and teacher-librarian, as well as a parenting instructor. She loves learning, growing as a mom, and finding the perfect books for her kids. She writes about becoming a mom, navigating mom-life, and raising readers.

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27 Best Books for 1-Year-Olds (2024 Reviews)

At one year old, babies are absorbing everything about the world around them. Studies show that reading to your little one not only expands their early vocabulary but can increase their success in school down the road. While finding books that capture a one-year-old’s attention can be tricky, it’s not impossible. Here are 27 books that will engage, entertain and educate your one-year-old, one word at a time.

27 Best Books for 1 Year Olds

1. little blue truck by alice schertle.

With bright and lively illustrations, this book tells the story of a little blue truck and his farm animal friends. Rhyming lines help children identify animals and their sounds while also teaching a lesson on kindness and the importance of helping a friend in need.

View on Amazon.com ➜

2. ABC Science Book (S.T.E.A.M. Baby) by Anjali Joshi

An alphabet book for future scientists! This book reiterates the importance of practicing your ABC’s with unique science words like beaker and zoologist. The accompanying images are both charming and colorful and will pique your little one’s curiosity about the new words they’re learning.

3. Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton

An entertaining exploration of animal faces and sounds that will help children learn who says what in the animal kingdom. The simple and silly illustrations are a perfect fit for the sing-song story that will stay in your brain long after reading hour ends.

4. Leo Loves Baby Time by Anna McQuinn

Follow baby Leo on his adventures at his local library’s Baby Time. Each week, Leo participates in a new activity that will be familiar to your baby, including reading, singing and peek-a-boo. With concise language and cheerful images, this is a great choice for early readers and listeners.

5. 8 Little Planets by Chris Ferrie

From the author of the Baby University series, this book is educational and easy to read out loud. Named an Amazon Best Book of 2018, the story is an amusing introduction to the solar system and features bold, colorful images and rhyming facts about the planets.

Get a quote in less than 30 seconds at LadderLife.com ➜

6. Besos for Baby: A Little Book of Kisses by Jen Arena

This bilingual book is a sweet celebration of love and affection. Your little one will catch on quickly to the simple Spanish words that are repeated throughout the story as well as the lessons on counting and the alphabet. The cheerful illustrations complement the text’s message of spreading love and joy.

7. All the World (Classic Board Books) by Liz Garton Scanlon

Awarded the Caldecott Honor, this book is a meaningful exploration of the wonders of the world, as seen through little eyes. With poetic language and beautiful, sweeping images, the story relays a peaceful message about the tenderness and wisdom of all things great and small.

8. First 100 Words by Roger Priddy

A perfect addition to an early reader’s bookshelf, this book pairs words with photographs of everyday objects. Familiar images will help babies expand their vocabulary to include words they’ll use daily. Because it’s simple and easy to engage with, this book has been recommended for all children, including those with speech delays.

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

This interactive lift-the-flap book is designed to teach babies the names of their different body parts. Each page invites readers to play peek-a-boo with baby and discover which body part she’s hiding from view. The tactile nature of the book allows little hands to open the flaps by themselves for maximum fun.

10. Baby Signs: A Baby-Sized Introduction to Speaking with Sign Language by Joy Allen

A #1 Bestseller on Amazon in Children’s Foreign Languages, this book uses colorful illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions to guide beginners through a handful of basic words and phrases in sign language. With the help of this book, babies and their parents can learn how to communicate with a few simple gestures.

11. Who? A Celebration of Babies by Robie Harris

This story introduces readers to a sweet circle of baby friends and their family members. With repetitive text and happy faces, it’s a book that celebrates diversity and positivity while teaching babies about the different names for the people they love in their own group of family and friends.

12. Jane Foster's Black and White by Jane Foster

Black and white books help stimulate developing eyes and allow babies to learn how to focus on the world around them. The illustrations in this book are bold and eye-catching and feature a cast of animal characters. Each animal is described by an easy adjective, encouraging readers to learn new words and facts.

13. Little Feminist Board Book Set by Mudpuppy

This box set is a perfect primer to strong women in history. The four books included in the set celebrate artists, leaders, pioneers and activists and introduce names like Marie Curie, Frida Kahlo and Amelia Earhart. Succinct phrases accompany colorful images, offering a great jumping off point for early conversations about feminism.

14. Little Traveler Board Book Set by Mudpuppy

This box set allows young readers to explore the world with four books that highlight food, vehicles, landmarks and animals from different cultures. Using basic vocabulary and vibrant illustrations, each book features eight diverse countries, allowing children to discover thirty-two new places and what makes them special.

15. Peek-A Who? (Lift the Flap Books, Interactive Books for Kids, Interactive Read Aloud Books) by Nina Laden

This rhyming peek-a-boo book uses simple clues to invite readers to guess who might be hiding behind each window and hole. Every new character is matched with the noise it makes to encourage practice with new words and sounds. With its exuberant illustrations, this interactive guessing game will deliver hours of entertainment.

16. Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Baby Book - Whose Feet?

By blending play with learning, this soft activity book will pique your baby’s interest with its tactile feel, silly story and lively artwork. As readers turn through the pages, each set of funny feet will find their match. Short sentences offer fun animal facts for an easy education on nature.

17. Baby Faces Peekaboo!: With Mirror, Touch-and-Feel, and Flaps by DK

Engaging and interactive, this book is a fun peek-a-boo game that explores the different emotions babies feel. Readers will love lifting flaps to find new friendly faces looking back at them and will get a special surprise at the end when they find their own face reflected back at them.

18. Bookscape Board Books: A Marvelous Museum by Ingela P. Arrhenius

This board book’s unique and eye-catching format features staggered pages that invite readers into the magical world of museums. Using alliteration and short, straightforward sentences, the story describes all the wonders that can be found in each wing of a museum, including mummies and dinosaurs.

19. Peter Pan: A BabyLit® Adventure Primer (BabyLit Primers) by Jennifer Adams

BabyLit primers are a clever introduction to the classic stories that have been shared for generations. Each book embraces a theme from its title and uses simple vocabulary words and elegant illustrations to describe its storyline. In Peter Pan, readers will meet Captain Hook and visit Neverland for the first time.

20. Bright Baby Touch & Feel by Roger Priddy

Containing four board books on words, colors, numbers and shapes, this box set is intended to engage young readers’ senses while also encouraging practice with important early learning concepts. Using bold photography and tactile textures, each book is a lesson on looking, touching and listening.

21. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Rediscover the magic of the ultimate children’s classic, Goodnight Moon, which has stood the test of time with its cozy illustrations and comforting and familiar storyline. The perfect addition to a bedtime routine, this story follows a little bunny as he says goodnight to all his favorite things.

22. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Board Book) by Bill Martin Jr.

A #1 Bestseller on Amazon in Children’s Alphabet Books, this title has established itself as a modern fan favorite. The rhyming text makes this book easy to read out loud and the colorful illustrations are hard to look away from. Readers will be enchanted with this charming introduction to the alphabet.

23. That's Not My Dragon… by Fiona Watt

The “That’s Not My…” series introduces readers to different creatures with a silly story and exciting interactive elements. In That’s Not My Dragon…, children will meet a variety of dragons that come in all shapes, sizes, colors and textures. Each page includes tactile patches and unique adjectives that describe the textures featured.

24. The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

A #1 Bestseller on Amazon in Children’s Fish Books, this book tells the story of a grumpy fish whose friends teach him to improve his mood by boosting his self-esteem. With bright illustrations and rhyming language, readers will love following the title character on his journey in learning to love himself.

25. Pat the Bunny Deluxe Edition by Dorothy Kunhardt

Another childhood classic, this touch-and-feel book guides young readers through a multisensory experience. Each page offers simple commands to engage readers in learning about one of the five senses. The vintage illustrations feature familiar images that babies will be able to easily recognize and relate to their own lives.

26. Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Rod Campbell

This lift-the-flap book is designed for young readers to easily turn the pages and lift the flaps on their own. With simple words and bright colors, children are able to reveal a variety of animals as they travel to and from the zoo in boxes big and small.

27. TouchThinkLearn: Baby Animals by Xavier Deneux

The TouchThinkLearn series invites little ones to experience different themes with their hands, ears and eyes. The Baby Animals edition includes adorable illustrations paired with related vocabulary words to inspire deeper learning while the textures and shapes encourage your baby to engage with the images they see on every page.

It’s no secret that reading offers countless benefits, especially early on. At one year old, babies will enjoy books with repetition and patterns, tactile and interactive elements, and vivid colors and shapes. Taking twenty minutes before bedtime to read together can establish a routine centered around learning and togetherness. It can also offer a much-needed opportunity for you to disconnect from a long day and reconnect with your little one through the magic of storytelling.

It’s never too soon to introduce your little one to the joys of reading, and the best books for 1-year-olds are the perfect place to start. For this age, opt for board books that feature thick, sturdy pages that won’t tear and are easy for little fingers to turn. Also, look for books with large, eye-catching illustrations that feature rhymes, rhythms, or repetition so they’re fun to read aloud. And you can never go wrong with books that have interactive elements, like flaps, finger puppets, or interesting textures for your young toddler to touch.

In terms of book topics, there are tons of options out there. From my personal experience as a mom, I’d recommend filling your child’s library with books that cover a range of topics so your tot can gain exposure to all sorts of things in the world. And, of course, you should also pick up books that feature topics that are of particular interest to your child, whether that be animals, cars, princesses, or cartoon characters. Some books even teach things like the alphabet, sign language, colors, and more. All books have a recommended age range that you can use as a general guide to choose options that are appropriate.

From classics to best-sellers to personal favorites, this list has 10 of the best books for 1-year-olds. Parents on Amazon indicated that even though they’ve read these picks so many times, the whole family still truly adores them. And best yet, they’re all low in cost (some are just $5!) so you can grow your little one’s collection on a budget.

We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.

A Classic Bedtime Story

There’s nothing better than snuggling up with your little one before bed and enjoying a good story. And Goodnight Moon is the perfect book for bedtime cuddles. It features quiet poetry about all of the items in a great green room. Combine that with gentle, vibrant illustrations, and your 1-year-old will surely be lulled to sleep. With more than 11,500 reviews on Amazon and a standout 4.8-star rating overall, it's clear that this classic is still a favorite today.

The board book edition featured above is easy for little hands to hold, but this pick is also available in additional formats, including hardcover, audiobook, and for Kindle.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "This was a childhood favorite of mine and I was really glad I found it again. I gave this as a gift to my one year old nephew and he loves it as a bed time story. the cardboard pages are durable, easy to turn and resistant to rips or drooling. thumbs up!"

• Recommended ages: Baby to 4 years
• Available formats: Board book, Hardcover, Paperback, Audio CD, Kindle, and Audible Audiobook

A Silly Animal Sounds Book

If you’re looking for a good laugh, Moo Baa La La La is seriously silly. The whimsical is all about the sounds animals make. And let me tell you — my 1-year-old daughter has the book, and she gets a total kick out of me making all of the sounds as we flip through the pages together. However, my daughter isn't the only one who loves this pick; the book boasts an impressive 4.8-star rating on Amazon, among 5,200 and growing reviews. In addition to the board book linked above, this one is also available in hardcover and for Kindle.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "Another great book from Sandra Boynton. We own almost all of her books and this is one of the best. My daughter is 19-months-old has been obsessed with animals and the sounds they make for months now. This book was perfect for teaching her what different animals say. As always her books are short and sweet. Moo, Baa, La La La does a great job at keeping my daughter engaged in the story."

• Recommended ages: Baby to 3 years
• Available formats: Board book, Kindle, and Hardcover

A Fun Alphabet Book

Learning the ABCs doesn’t have to be boring; Chicka Chicka Boom Boom makes the alphabet fun, thanks to its ultra-catchy language and rhythm. The book centers around a race where all of the letters of the alphabet are trying to get up a coconut tree. Amazon reviewers indicated that this pick has been an absolute delight to read with their little ones; the book boasts a super-impressive 4.8-star rating on the site, among 9,600 and growing reviews. It's available in a durable board book format, as well as paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and even audio CD.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "If you have never read this book to a child, I would HIGHLY recommend it! It is an ABC book, but it is written so it rhymes from start to finish. The cadence you can easily achieve is fantastic! It's so much fun to read, and for ANYONE to enjoy. We bought this book for our grand children and these are for our great-grandchildren. The fun in these pages never diminishes. It is a classic!"

• Recommended ages: 1 to 4
• Available formats: Board book, Kindle, Paperback, Audio CD, and Hardcover

A Catchy New York Times Best-Seller

A New York Times best-seller (and without a doubt my daughter’s absolute favorite book), The Pout-Pout Fish is an ocean-themed story that follows the pout-pout fish’s journey as he discovers that being glum and spreading "dreary wearies" isn't really his destiny. The book is extremely fun to read, full of playful rhymes and silly text that your little one will adore. But don’t just take my word for it; Amazon reviewers gave The Pout-Pout Fish a 4.8-star rating on the site, among 8,900 and growing reviews. It's available in any format you could possibly want, from board book, to Kindle, to audiobook.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "Baby girl LOVES this book, but my husband and I may love it even more. We alternate pages while reading and all together we say the "Blub Blubb Blubbbb!" Our girl adores this. She repeats [words] with us and giggles at the smoochie ending."

• Available format: Board book, Kindle, Audible Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback, and Audio CD

An Interactive Book For Learning About Body Parts

Where Is Baby’s Belly Button is a playful book that’ll help to teach your toddler all about their body. Your little one will love lifting the book's flaps, revealing the baby's feet, belly button, and more. Many Amazon reviewers indicated that this book has been both a helpful learning tool and a fun read overall; reviewers on the site gave it a solid 4.8-star rating, among more than 5,000 reviews.

Grab it in a board book or hardcover format so that your child can really enjoy the interactive elements that are only possible with a physical book.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "We bought this book for my daughter when she was 14 months old. At that time she enjoyed opening the flaps and looking underneath. We also played peek-a-boo with the book a little, which she also enjoyed. She is now 18 months old and still enjoys the book. She now understands much of the questions and points to the what you're supposed to look for on each page. Overall, very enjoyable."

• Available formats: Board book and Hardcover

A Book That Teaches 100 First Words

With more than 15,000 reviews on Amazon and a solid 4.7-star rating overall, it’s clear that this First 100 Words book is a favorite among parents on the site. And it makes sense that people are into it: The book features 100 full-color photographs and simple words that you can look at and talk about with your kiddo. The board book’s pages are slightly padded, so they’re extra comfortable for little hands to hold — though it's also available as a Kindle or hardcover book, too.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "This is necessary for every child. It helps him develop a visual vocabulary and helps recognize new products and things. I got it for my 1 year old, he loves it!! The quality on the pages are excellent. [There] is so much color and the pages are thick. Highly recommend for every child. [They'll] spend a lot of time on this. And worth every penny."

• Recommended ages: 1 to 3

A Sensory Book

As its name would suggest, See, Touch, Feel is packed with different sensory experiences to explore, like raised textures to feel, finger trails to follow, and a shiny mirror to look at. The imagery is bright and colorful, so it'll hold your 1-year-old's attention. And the board book format means that your little one can practice flipping through the pages totally on their own.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: " We just ordered 3 books off Amazon for my 15 month old daughter and this is by far her favorite book! It keeps her attention and she “reads” it to herself and explores each page and maybe even prefers that to having us read it to her. If she is playing something else and you hand her the book she stops what she is doing to play with it. Definitely the best touch and feel book we have owned."

• Recommended ages: Baby to 2 years
• Available formats: Board book

A Cute Book To Help With Potty Training

With potty training on the horizon, it is never too early to introduce your 1-year-old to the concept. And Potty — which, you guessed it, covers all things potty-related — is the best way to do it. The board book is perfectly paced and honestly, super funny, so your tot will actually enjoy learning about using the potty. Amazon reviewers were impressed with this pick, giving it a 4.7-star rating on the site, among 6,000-plus reviews. If your tot doesn't require a board book, nab this in Kindle or hardcover (if you prefer).

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "We were planning on starting my son potty training in the next few weeks, but once this book arrive and he got a hold of it, we had to start right away because he LOVED it and he wanted to mimic it! It's a great way to teach toddlers where their potty business is supposed to go, what they need to do to get on the potty, and how it might take some time. The pictures are adorable and my son mimics nearly every page. We read it about 3 times every time he goes to the potty. Would recommend this to those starting potty training!"

A Finger Puppet Book

This Itsy Bitsy Spider book brings the classic nursery rhyme to life. The board book features an adorable spider finger puppet that you wiggle as you read — or sing — all about the creature that climbs up the water spout. The rhyming story is entertaining, and it also teaches your kiddo about language patterns.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "My one year olds love it! They already like the itsy bitsy spider because Grandma does it with them all the time, so I knew they would like the book. They have fun seeing the cute spider pop in and out when I read it to them."

A Book To Teach Your Baby Sign Language

Baby sign language can be an effective tool for communication with your tot. And so, if you’re interested in giving it a try, you’ll definitely want to pick up a copy of Baby Signs: A Baby-Sized Introduction to Speaking with Sign Language . The board book features watercolor images of babies doing 13 signs that are useful for everyday life, including milk, diaper, mommy, daddy, and water. Brief instructions on each page explain how to do each sign, so you can effectively teach them to your tot. The board book has a solid 4.5-star rating on Amazon, among 3,700 and growing reviews, so it’s safe to say that reviewers on the site have found this book to be a useful tool in their homes. In addition to the board book format, this one can also be purchased as a paperback or Kindle e-book.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "This is awesome! My son is one year old hasn't spoke a word (well just one) but he knows all the words of his book. He gets [excited] about every one and even waves at the baby in the cover. Also tells me when he needs to poop. Love it!"

• Recommended ages: Baby to 3
• Available formats: Board book, Kindle, and Paperback

The Best Children’s Books For One-Year-Olds

One year old is such a fun age! At one baby is mobile and always on the move. They are starting to learn words and understand more of what you say, even if they can’t articulate it back yet. They like to discover objects and point to things, “What’s that?!”

At one year baby is discovering his or her favorite books and wants to read them over and over. Repetition is great for speech development, so this is the right time to snuggle up together and read. Here are my favorite books that my daughter and I enjoyed at age one!

The Best Children’s Books for One-Year-Olds

Press here by herve tullet.

Press Here is a newer book (February 2019) but it’s on its way to becoming an instant classic. Press Here holds the title of longest-running picture book on the New York Times Bestseller list, and it’s easy to see why! According to the publisher:

“Press the yellow dot on the cover of this interactive children’s book, follow the instructions within, and embark upon a magical journey! Each page of this surprising touch book instructs the reader to push the button, shake it up, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next!”

What draws children to this book is the interactivity. It’s not just mom or dad reading to you, the child and the parent really get to interact with the book and each other. It’s appealing as it incorporates playtime with book time. This book is great for older toddlers as well, but I would recommend the board book version for any child under two.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Guess How Much I Love You is such a popular book right now. Since it was released over 20 years ago it has been translated into over 57 languages and sold over 47 million copies worldwide. This is a classic that every child should have on their bookshelf.

“The tale of the Nutbrown Hares competing to measure their love for one another, and Big Nutbrown Hare’s heart-warming declaration to Little Nutbrown Hare, ‘I love you right up to the moon – and back’, has helped this story become a way of saying ‘I love you’ all over the world.”

The story is heart-warming, but the gentle and calm watercolor illustrations by Anita Jeram really bring the book to life. This is a great bedtime read due to the sweet and quiet illustrations, and small nutbrown hare happily falling asleep by the end of the book.

Hoppity Frog: A Slide-and-Seek Book by Emma Parrish

Ah, Hoppity Frog, my personal nemesis! I am not a fan of most “interactive” slide and seek type books, not because they’re not great books, but because I’m constantly having to rearrange my hand placement on the book. I know that sounds ridiculous but it’s a pet peeve. Reading should be relaxing, not hand gymnastics!

However, I couldn’t leave Hoppity Frog off this list because of how much my daughter adores it. The book leads the reader on a search for Hoppity Frog as they push and pull sturdy sliders on each page. Children love pulling the sliders and uncovering new creatures on their search for Hoppity Frog. This is one of those books your child will want to read over and over (hence the nemesis comment.) 

For a more in-depth review of Hoppity Frog, check out my husband’s review from A Dad’s Perspective.                    

Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss

Fox in Socks was a hand me down from my sister when my nephew outgrew board book style books. It’s a Dr. Seuss book that I hadn’t heard of and I was a little skeptical if my daughter would enjoy it at such a young age. I love Dr. Seuss, but I’ve tried reading his other books like One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and The Cat in the Hat to her, and they were just a little too long and advanced. I assumed that all Dr. Seuss books would be out of her age range until she was 2 or so. Not Fox in Socks! It’s a board book that’s on the medium-small size, perfect for small hands to grasp, and is filled with the lovely rhyming prose that we love Seuss for. The book is pretty nonsensical but the sheer ridiculousness and silly rhyming words are what children love. It’s a tongue twister and a mini-competition between me and my husband who can read it without stumbling! Here’s a snippet from the publisher:

“Dr. Seuss’s Fox in Socks has been troubling tongues—and garnering giggles—since 1965. Written specifically to be read aloud, it features a tricky fox in socks and the progressively more difficult tongue-twisting games he plays on his exasperated friend Mr. Knox. Now available for the first time in an abridged, sturdy, board book edition, this beloved classic will have babies of all ages laughing with—and at—their parents as they struggle, like Knox, to blab such blibber blubber as muddle puddle tweetle poodle beetle noodle bottle paddle battle!” 

Goodnight Moon by Margaret wise Brown

A classic bedtime book and childhood favorite! Something about the bright green colors of this book make me feel nostalgic for my childhood. A great visual book, all set in a bunny’s bedroom, but with so many little details and variations on each page. My favorite detail is how the room progressively grows darker page by page as the sun sets and the moon comes out. By the end of the book the moon has fully risen and everyone is peacefully sleeping! A detail I never noticed as a child is a mouse hanging out on every page, looking out the window, warming up by the fire, etc. Once we noticed the mouse it became my daughter’s favorite activity to find the mouse on every page.

Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother TOo? by Eric Carle

A baby book list would not be complete without a book from Eric Carle. I love reading this book to my daughter. I’ll ask, “Does a kangaroo have a mother too?” She replies, “No!” (because isn’t that every toddler’s favorite word?) I turn the page and we both say, “Yeeeeesss! A kangaroo has a mother too!”

I like this book for small children because it introduces so many animal mothers and their babies. The end of the book has a little guide about the proper name for each baby animal too.

On the NIght You Were Born by Nancy Tillman

I bought this book because I liked the book cover. It’s two polar bears dancing in the moonlight. Once I read it I discovered it’s an award-winning book and a great story all about the night your baby was born, and how all the world celebrated. There are a couple of instances in the book where you can bond with your child and make the reading more personal (counting fingers and toes, saying their name out loud). This is a good book for ones as they are starting to become self-aware and love reading about themselves.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr.

The book is about alphabet letters racing up a coconut tree, trying to all fit on the tree at the same time. What drew me to this book were the bright and beautiful colors. The simple illustrations and cheerful style are very appealing to small children and adults.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is recommended for children ages 1-4, although I would expand that to 0-6. It’s a great way to introduce the alphabet to young ones and start familiarizing them with letters. You can check out a more in-depth review of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom here .

While these books are my recommendations for the best children’s books for one-year-olds, I also want to add that all of them have held up to the test of time and are still in rotation on our bookshelf today. My daughter is almost three and still loves reading her “baby” books!

Baby Books for Brain Development

Essential Books for Your Baby’s First Library

Monster Books with Surprise Endings

The Very Best Books for 1-Year-Olds

They're not reading on their own yet, but the sooner you start reading to your little one, the better. From classics to newer titles, these books won't let you down.

When you’re in the market for the best books for 1-year-olds , there’s nothing worse than rushing through the library, grabbing random board books and hoping you’ve stumbled upon something worthwhile. The virtues of reading to kids of any age are well established — but how do you find the best books for 1-year-olds? You don’t want to have to depend on algorithms from Amazon or just hope that friends and family members will stock your shelves with great books as 1st birthday gifts.

This specially curated list of books for 1-year-olds includes classics that have entertained the littlest kids for decades as well as some new titles worth checking out. Because even the youngest kids have strong opinions about books , and finding a story that your baby loves and responds to is profound and gratifying — even if you do risk going slowly insane as your 1-year-old demands the book be read over and over and over again. But when you find a truly great book for your 1-year-old, even the 200th reading is worth it, considering the laughing and learning done along the way.

Dad Tip: Email yourself a link to this page and then pull it up next time you’re in the children’s section of the library or bookstore.

RELATED: The Best Books for 2-Year-Olds

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

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres

Crayon’s Book of Colors by Drew Dewalt and Oliver Jeffers

Livre des Bruits by Soledad Bravi

Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Daddy Hugs by Karen Katz

Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee

Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill

The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boyton

Every product on Fatherly is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. If you click a link on our site and buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This article was originally published on May 2, 2019

The Best Books for 1-Year-Olds: Get Your Baby Reading!

Yes, babies need books too! The best books for 1-year-olds help babies explore and understand the world around them.

For the first year, focus on books about animals, colors, aspects of life, and shapes. Babies need to learn everything and books can help, which is why we found all the best baby book options to encourage learning.

Best Story Book for a 1-Year-Old:   Unicorn Jazz Best Learning Book for a 1-Year-Old:   Goodnight, Construction Site Best Interactive Book for a 1-Year-Old:   Peek-A Who?

Best Story Books for 1-Year-Olds

Bear Snores On is a child’s favorite rhyming book that they will want to hear over and over. Meanwhile, Unicorn Jazz is a hand drawn story that has an accompanying song that the little unicorn sings, which you can find online for your baby.

Unicorn Jazz

Even though your baby is only a year old, they already love colors, drawings, stories, and most importantly, the sound of your voice. Give your baby all three with Unicorn Jazz , a fun little hand-drawn story about a unicorn with purple hair, a golden horn, and shining hoofs. But the craziest feature of the unicorn is he has a musical note for a tail!

This little unicorn can sing beautifully, despite no self-confidence in her majestic ability. When she moves to a new place with her parents, she doesn’t quite fit in with the other animals at first, but soon finds new friends and her voice. The book comes with a song to share with your baby.

If your baby likes the song, you can even listen to it online. The story is so fun, children will make this their favorite book and you will end up reading for years to come, along with the song. It’s time to start your new bedtime routine with a unicorn.

The Mitten  

Books may teach babies but often they are just fun stories to entice children to love reading like with the The Mitten Board book . You can buy this book on e-book format, hardcover, or the preferable board book for babies who tend to chew, rip, and gnaw on anything in their hands. 

The book introduces woodland animals who have dropped a mitten and spend the day searching for the glove. Along the way, they meet other animals before ending the story with a funny climax. Use this story to teach about humor, losing items, animals, and just to spend quality time with your baby. 

Though the book came out in the 1990s, it’s still a favorite with 32 pages of beautiful illustrations and engaging characters. Before long, this will be one of your child’s favorite books with its simple plot.

The Hiccupotamus

Babies love funny noises as they learn to use their vocal cords and the The Hiccupotamus Hardcover book can help them to laugh with a funny little plot. As a cute hippo hiccups, the book adds the ‘mus’ to more than just a hippopotamus to engage kids and help them learn about patterns. 

The story brings other animals in as the main character hiccups his way through the jungle trying to live her life. Not only is the story off-the-wall funny, but it also makes for a fun read babies will want to re-read over and over again. Funny books allow kids to engage with books and encourage a desire to continue reading more and more books. 

Babies and tots will love reading all 32 short pages of the book with tons of interactive noises made by mom or dad. If they like this book by Aaron Zenz, you can find more to keep the laughter lasting in your home for several more years to come. 

Bear Snores On

The Bear Snores On was so loved by all three of my children that I know the first several pages by heart. Even years later, I can still read the pages verbatim without looking at the thick board book. Your kids will love the sweet rhyming story, too, because it features animals who snore. The animals work together to help their friend bear as he hibernates through the cold winter. 

Next, the story comes with several other books in the series to keep your baby engaged with sweet animals helping each other. This short story sprawls across 34 pages to make it the right size to read before bed or naptime. Furthermore, some of the pages have four lines of text while the others only have a few words which makes it a great option to help kids read when they are a little older too. 

Best Learning Books for 1-Year-Olds

Begin teaching those little ones early by reading realistic books such as why they shouldn’t bite with the book, Teeth Are Not for Biting or how to express their emotions in English and Spanish with La Catrina: Emotions – Emociones .  However, they also can learn by reading creative books about colors with Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?. by Bill Martin, JR. or the alphabet with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom .

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site

Babies love routine and going to bed is one of their most important routines because it’s soothing. With Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site , your child can help solidify their routine as they say good night to everything at a construction site. As one-year-olds know almost nothing, this book can show them a whole new world. 

Babies can say good night to a crane truck, cement mixer, dump truck, bulldozer, and an excavator as they get ready to sleep themselves. The pages rhyme to help babies learn cadence and about the machines that help our world function. It’s meant for children two and up, but I read this to my baby at a year and she loved the book and for years after said good night to the trucks. 

The book has 32 pages to make this long enough for a bedtime story. You can buy a hardcover or e-book version to enjoy the soothing and adorable cartoons of construction. 

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

The Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is super easy to read and creates a pattern to help little minds learn. The artist Eric Carle uses tons of textures in his with his artwork to help kids to understand more than just colors, but also grain as well. 

It’s been years since I read the book but still, I can remember the cadence of reading the simple story that children will crave as they become an animal looking at another animal. Little boys and girls can learn about the circle of life, animals, colors, patterns, and rhymes from these fun little books. Most baby books lack dimensions unlike this set, which is why the series is so popular. 

If your baby likes this one, find more works by Eric Carle. The book has 28 pages focusing on one animal per set of pages. It’s a perfect story for babies and toddlers. 

Teeth Are Not for Biting

Many people think babies can’t learn to modify behavior but they can! Some times the lessons take a while to sink in which is why books like Teeth Are Not for Biting (Board Book) are so important. Most babies are teething and becoming aware of teeth in their mouths but don’t know what they are for and the book will tell them. 

Tots ages 1 to 4 can enjoy the 24-page book meant to encourage using teeth for eating but not for biting other people or animals. The sooner you teach children the proper use for their teeth, the better chance they will never bite other kids at the playground. All the while, the sweet story engages children with muted colors and soft words. 

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Start teaching your little love all about letters and the alphabet from birth with the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Board Book) . The letters are personified and climb up to the top of a coconut tree to teach little ones as they race to the top of the tree before falling off. All of the colorful pictures encourage kids to continue looking at each page as they wait to find out what will happen to the letters. 

The rhythmic text has made this a favorite for a couple of decades and led to several more stories in the same genre. Watch your child delight over the alphabet as the story unfolds over 36 short pages. Do pick the board book as babies tend to be mean to anything with paper and the book will last much longer with thicker pages. 

La Catrina: Emotions – Emociones (English and Spanish Edition)

If you want to teach your child both Spanish and emotions, get him or her the book La Catrina: Emotions – Emociones (English and Spanish Edition) . The book focuses on emotions first in English and second in Spanish to help babies understand how they feel. Teaching a second language at birth helps children recognize excitement, sadness, confidence, along with other feelings. 

Last of all, Patty Rodriguez designed this book based on the Spanish Day of the Dead with several other books in her series to help little minds find a love for the Spanish culture. Help your children increase their vocabulary in two languages with 22 pages of emotions. The incredible pictures will help babies to learn to read faces and themselves too. 

M is for Malware

Most baby books teach little minds the alphabet with animals, foods, or toys, but with the board book M is for Malware , you can start helping your little one learn about technology from day one. Let’s face it, the newer generations are so much better at learning technology, so you may as well give them a boost up. Also, if your husband loves computers and works with cybersecurity at work, you may convince him to read this book to your son or daughter. 

Finally, daddy can then move on to teaching the baby about other computer concepts like hard drives, motherboards, and other computer concepts with fun little monster drawings. Us experienced mommies can read the sweet books and daddy can stick with scary monsters like ransomware. 

My First 100 Food We Eat

The last book, My First 100 Food We Eat Board book teaches your one-year-old tons of food items they will see regularly. Not only does the book teach about fruits and veggies, but it also teaches sight words. Moreover, the book uses actual pictures instead of drawings to help kids recognize real food items. 

From oranges to onions, babies can learn the names of food and learn colors, too. The book comes with primary colors so they can learn about food, words, letters, fruits, vegetables, drinks, and more all from one book. Furthermore, the book has a soft padded cover to make it comfortable to carry as they build their vocabulary and skills. 

Best Interactive Books for 1-Year-Olds

Peek-a Who? , Where Is Baby’s Belly Button? , and Dear Zoo are lift the flap board books for little ones to explore, while the Baby Touch and Feel: Animals has different textures, including fur, for baby’s to touch.

Peek-A Who?

In the book Peek-A Who? your child gets to interact with the pages of the book with fun flaps, colorful pictures, and simple rhyming texts to help babies guess what’s on the other side. Babies adore turning pages, lifting flaps and using their newfound fingers.

Curious babies can learn a lot when you read this bright little book to them. Though the pages aren’t quite as thick as a board book, the die-cut pages can handle pudgy little fingers turning the pages to find new animals. It’s a fun way to teach babies animal sounds and species.

At the end, the book introduces the baby to themselves with a little mirror. The book has ten pages and works for babies all the way up to preschool children. It’s also small enough to travel anywhere you go.

Baby Touch and Feel: Animals 

Babies love to touch animals and squeeze their little fingers in the soft plush fur of any willing or unwilling animal. That’s why the DK Baby Touch and Feel: Animal book is perfect for them because they can feel animals fuzziness without getting bit or scratched. The thick pages can also take a little abuse too like constant page-turning, chewing, and rough handling.

The small book introduces babies to many animals along with the name and the sound. Though babies will mainly enjoy the feel of an exciting new world in under their fingers. Teach babies about penguins, kittens, puppies, butterflies, and more animals.

If your baby enjoys this book, the DK brand makes many others to encourage babies to explore the tactile world around them with foil, glitter, bold colors, and engaging pages.

Sesame Street – Potty Time with Elmo

Most babies are in diapers and need to eventually learn to use the potty. Start laying the groundwork with Sesame Street – Potty Time with Elmo – Potty Training Sound Book . One obstacle for toddlers learning to use the toilet is information, they don’t know what the potty is or why people use the toilet. Books with fun characters share necessary information to make toilets not scary but helpful in their lives. 

The board book comes with a soundbar on the side with seven buttons babies will love to push. They can hear the sounds of the potty, flushing, and of course, their new furry friend Elmo as he trains his doll to go to the bathroom on the potty. Start reading the short eight-page book to your little one early and then start reading the book when they are on the potty like a little reward for big kid behavior. 

Where Is Baby’s Belly Button? A Lift-the-Flap Book 

Everyone has a belly button and babies need to know what and where they are as they learn about the entire body. The Where Is Baby’s Belly Button? A Lift-the-Flap Book Board book helps your baby learn about their body. This is the perfect book as it’s short but teaches babies where to find their eyes and other body parts with little interactions. 

The book asks where is baby’s…? and then provides a flap to find the babies the body part underneath bubbles, or a lamp or something else. Interactive books help engage babies with the story to help learn with a few surprises. Of course, we adults won’t find the simply worded book surprising, but babies will squeal with delight over and over as they flip the pages and begin to put the connect to their own body together. 

Finally, don’t worry about the book taking a long time to read as it’s very short and only 14 pages long. The drawings are colorful and perfect for babies, which is who the book was written for anyways! Each page uses backgrounds to introduce interesting patterns too. 

Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book

Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book offers a fun way for babies to discover animals. The tiny book allows you to introduce animals and their sounds with fun flaps. It starts out with the author asking for an animal and the zoo sending her a different animal for your baby to discover.

If you buy this tiny board book you can take it with you in your diaper bag, the car, or to grandma’s for a fun story even on the road. The 18 short pages work for even the shortest attention span for babies up to four years old. Make the sound for each animal and encourage your little one to make the sounds with you as they learn about the world around them. 

Where’s Spot?

Most everyone remembers Eric Hill’s Spot the Dog books and now you can introduce your baby to his books too with Where’s Spot? Board book . The precocious pup is hiding from his parents. It’s up to you and your baby to find out where the pup is hiding with this colorful short story written with a young mind in mind! 

Babies can flip open flaps in the to help search for the wayward puppy. Each page comes with simple hand-drawn images to keep one-year-olds focused on the task at hand. Take the time to teach baby not to hide from you as it’s scary when we don’t know where our children are hiding. The short book offers just 12 pages to find the puppy for short attention spans.  

Sleepy Kittens (Despicable Me)

The Sleepy Kittens (Despicable Me) Board book follows around three little kittens not ready to go to bed. Babies love animals and kittens are quite accessible and often adorably funny. Now you can use three little finger puppets to make your one-year-old laugh and laugh as you read the story based on Despicable Me over and over again. Moreover, the story helps children to understand that everyone, even kittens, needs to go to bed. 

Next, a clever kitty mom helps her kittens prepare for bed without them knowing what she is doing. They brush their fur, get a drink, and more as they get sleepy enough to give up the fight and sleep like good little kittens. Add this book to your daily routine while enjoying 10 pages of enjoyable pastel drawings. 

Welcome Little One

The Welcome Little One Board book may become your child’s favorite, as it’s a story about them and you. Fill in the details of your baby’s birth and the rest of the story tells your little one how much they fill your heart with love. Keep this book as a memory book for your little one with your handwriting inside not just words on pages. 

Fill in the book with your baby’s birthday, time of birth, hair color, eye color, weight, and length. The page leaves a little space to add in a little unscripted text about your little lovebug. Next, the book goes on to help you share your emotions with your baby. 

Lastly, with patchwork pictures and contrasting colors, babies can enjoy an elephant mom giving hearts to her baby as you share your heart with yours. Some of the letters come in patchwork letters to stand out and you can use those letters to introduce the alphabet too. 

Books for 1-Year-Olds Compared

The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.

Similar Gifts for 1-Year-Olds

The Best Toys and Gift Ideas for 1-Year-Old Girls 2022 The Absolute Best Toys and Gift Ideas for 1-Year-Old Boys for 2022 The Best Baby Memory Books The Ultimate Keepsake Best Ride-On Toys for a 1-Year-Old

FAQs About the Best Books for 1-Year-Olds

How often should i read to my baby.

You should read to your baby as often as you have time and you can get them to sit still.

Read to them when they wake up, when they go down for a nap, when they are eating, when they are going to bed, and as many more times as you can squeeze into a day. If nothing else, for the first four years of a child’s life, try and read to them three times a day if possible. Not everyone can squeeze in three books a day, but the more you read, the more your child benefits. 

Maybe you could read a book to the baby in the morning and grandma or daddy can read one later in the day and another at night. No matter who is in your family, someone should read to your one-year-old as often as possible. If you have older children, they can read to their younger siblings, too.

Try your best, but don’t stress if you can’t read to your baby all day long or even three times a day… life often gets in the way of optimal living. 

What are the benefits of reading to a baby?

Reading to a baby has more benefits than you can imagine.

The best books for 1-year-olds teach about the world around them and babies can learn about everything from books. They can learn words, letters, numbers, animals, faces, colors, clothes, concepts, the list goes on and on. Everything a person can learn, they can learn from a book.

Pictures help with spatial reasoning and depth perception while reading to babies out loud. 

The more effort you put into the book, the more your baby can learn. Take the time to talk about what you see on the front cover, read every word and point it out thing in the pictures you can. One-year-olds have a lot to learn and the more you show them, the more they will gain from each book, even the simplest book. 

Should I ask my baby questions while I read?

Yes! Questions are the best way to engage babies in the book.

The best baby books open up new doors to help children learn more if dad and mom add in a few questions. Ask your baby everything you can think of while they are interested. 

Once your baby has lost interest, you can stop but while they are on your lap, ask away.

Ask questions like:

• What do you see?
• Is that an ear?
• Can you find an eye?
• Where’s the elephant?
• Which animal is your favorite?
• Do you see the color red?
• How about blue?
• Is that a bird?
• What sound does a cat make?
• Do you like that kitty?
• Do you see a circle? 

The options are endless. 

The more questions you ask, the more opportunity you have to not just help your baby learn, but also to help you learn more about your baby. Not all babies will respond to questions, but whether they respond or not, questions help to encourage thought and they will still learn from questions. Before long, they will be asking questions non-stop!!!!

Final Thoughts About 1-Year-Old Books

If you only pick one book for your one-year-old from this list, pick the La Catrina: Emotions – Emociones (English and Spanish Edition) . Not only does this book teach emotions that babies don’t know yet, but it’s also bilingual. Babies can learn both English and Spanish from the colorful book. The book comes from a series called Lil’ Libros by Patty Rodriguez and babies can learn so much from these adorable books and actually increase their brain strength!

• Reading Books to Babies (for Parents) , kidshealth.org
• How to Introduce Toddlers and Babies to Books , www.zerotothree.org

Adrina Palmer is a stay-at-home-mom to three wonderful children and a wife to an amazing husband. She has a bachelors degree in Religion from Liberty University and works as a blogger, copywriter, and reviewer. Adrina is a Christian hoping to help other stay-at-home moms find the joy and simplicity as a mother and wife. In her free time she enjoys many crafts, writing, spending time with family, and reading. She would love to hear from you!

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The Perpetual Page-Turner

Book Recommendations and Book Lists For Adults And Kids

Riley’s Favorite Books: 1 Year Old Edition

January 9, 2022 - Updated April 6, 2022 // 5 Comments

I’ve been reflecting on Riley turning 2 this month and, when I think about this past year, what stands out is that this was such a fun year for watching Riley’s love for books & reading take off as a 1 year old.

I loved watching her explore and enjoy books as a baby but once she turned one it was like her love for books just exploded and it’s been such a fun journey.

It has been fun to watch her start to sit down by herself and look through her books for extended amounts of time PLUS shove books in my face and say “here!!” and then later on “read this, mama” until I read them. I love watching her engage and interact with the books we read. I love seeing her be able to further explore the world we live in through books and see her learn through books.

We’ve read SO MUCH this year that I feel like I’ve become a bit of an expert on the best books for a 1 year old, between the books she loves and the books I read to the kids as a former nanny, so I wanted to share what she we’ve loved this year and that I think are great books to read with kids ages 1 to 2.

So obviously Riley can’t dictate this list of her favorites but I clearly know which books she gravitated to all year and which ones made her happy so you’ll just have to trust my observation skills and judgment.

I feel like she definitely had some favorites from 12-18 months old but once she passed 18 months she got into books in a WHOLE differently level and really started memorizing, pointing things out and gravitated towards some longer books and it opened the door to a lot of new favorites — especially as she approached 2 years old!

She still loved a lot of her old favorites as a younger toddler but it was really fun to see the kind of stuff she really got into as an older 1 year old.

[Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on a link and purchase something I’ve talked about or recommended, I’ll receive a very small percentage of the sale. Please see my disclosure policy for more info.

As an aside, I always get asked at how I find such good books to read with Riley. We browse the library a lot (and ask the librarians!) which is where I find a lot of them as well as searching online for specific topics she seems into or following what other moms with toddlers are reading and loving.

But I think one of the most easy ways for busy parents to find good books to read (especially when you are getting sick of the same ol’ books and don’t have time to devote to curating a new list of books) is a book subscription box for kids! I have really enjoyed Bookroo ever since she was a baby and, now, well into her preschool years!

You can choose by age range and Riley LOVES getting her book mail. I have found the books to be good selections for her age and all interesting ones I had never heard of before! Check out my review of Bookroo !

Looking for great books for your toddler?

Find age-appropriate books your kids will love with a Bookroo subscription!

Good Books To Read With Your 1 Year Old

P.S. I really like this chart that breaks down the reading by age groups and tips and tricks for them and how to engage with your baby/toddler while reading at different ages!

I’ve broken them up into two groups: 12-18 months and 18-24 months just to show the difference and progression in the ones she really got into once her language really exploded and she understood so much more at 18 months.

A lot of the earlier ones have remained favorites throughout the whole 1-2 year range though so still solid choices for older 1 year olds and toddlers. Even at 2 she is still loving most of the ones from her young 1 year old life but I can tell she craves a bit more in her books so we don’t read them AS often anymore.

But she really does sit still and have the attention span for longer books whereas other kids may not at this age range — both are perfectly normal and some of these shorter books might still be perfect if your kid is squirmy and doesn’t like to sit for books.

What We Loved At 12 -18 Months Old

A lot of the books she loved under the age of one are in this category, too, because she really got into them in a different way once she turned one.

She’d always been good at sitting down and paying attention to books but I felt like when she turned 1 she exploded in her ability to really understand them AND she really liked to point and interact with them and say the words.

She also really started sitting by herself and going through ALL of them. Literally. Every book pulled off the shelf. Every day. But it’s the kind of mess I can get behind haha. I know something about book piles myself.

Tip: Board books for younger 1 year olds are the way to go in my opinion because their fine motor skills seem to translate into ripped pages even when they aren’t trying to. Because of that I always tried to get board book editions of books if possible because she tended to accidentally rip pages when she was turning them and otherwise be rough with them. She got a lot better once she got to be around 18-20 months and we can read a lot more non-board books but it’s always risky because she’s so rough with books. She just loves them so hard.

Best non-fiction/educational type books that Riley LOVED (and still loves)

These types of books have been her favorite since she was under 1 and I feel like her language exploded in this age range with these books.

She always liked looking at the real pictures in them when she was younger but she spent so much time sitting on my lap and pointing to them all (or making me point to them at first) and making me say them and then she would start pulling it out by herself and pointing and saying what she knew.

We have so many of these types of books but these are the ones she loved the most and that I thought were great books for 1 year olds.

First 100 Board Book set

A really great investment that honestly are great even before baby turns 1. They can really grow into them. I wish they would do an updated version because some of the pictures and things in them look outdated looking but they are solid and I can’t tell you how many times we went through and named all these things. It was cool to see her really start to connect the vocabulary word with the picture and then the item outside of the book in her world. That’s a really great skill that happens at this age and I feel like this book helped her put that concept together. There’s a bunch of other books in these series too!

My First Touch and Sound Book Series

I hate noisy things but this set of books are wonderful and she really loved them! The buttons are a tad hard to push but she really learned how to do it quickly. The combo of touch AND sound is great for this age! This one is our favorite but Noisy Trucks and Noisy Farm are great!

My First Animals Book from DK Books

I’m so bummed the copy we have is out of print because I think it’s my favorite “first animal” type book that we’ve read. I do like the updated version (I had to go check it at the library before I recommended it) and think it’s a solid update though I prefer the older version we had that I bought at the thrift store. The format was just better IMO. We pull it out a lot and it’s fun to see her know more and more of these animals. I honestly love a lot of the DK books!

All the Nat Geo Look & Learn books

We have a couple of these/have gotten a couple from the library and they are stunning and keep her attention so well. (Note: Bookshop.org seems to only have a couple from this series and doesn’t have that Things That Go book).

Favorite Lift The Flap Books (1-1.5 years old)

Lift the flap books are so tricky in this age range for us because she still was rough with them but she was outgrowing some of the chunkier lift the flap ones we had for her as she got older.

Luckily I feel like flap books got WAY better around 18 months and she rarely rips them now. I really loved these interactive books for 1 year olds! There’s so many ways we played around with them — especially animal noises.

Check out our favorite lift-the-flap books !

Snap! Snap!

This is such a cute lift the flap book full of animal sound and guessing the animal. Study flaps and bright colors make this a great book to read with a 1 year old.

This is a short cute little peekaboo book that Riley really loved when she just turned one and for quite a few months after. I was underwhelmed by it but Riley was NOT — she loved guessing what would come next in the peekaboo game. There’s 2 others in the series — c heck out the box set !

This one is SO fun and a hit for my animal loving toddler. The narrator is looking for a pet so the zoo keeps sending them new animals but it takes a bit to find the perfect pet. She loved naming the animals and making the sounds — especially because we had just gone to the zoo when I got this one for her so she was familiar with the animals.

Do Cows Meow?

Oh how we love this one even still! Salina Yoon just is always a hit with us! Bright and cute pictures, good rhyming and all sorts of fun with animal noises. This one we discovered as a read-aloud at a baby/toddler storytime and we loved it so much we bought it — it was a hit in the library storytime group, too!

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Karen Katz’s lift the flap books (literally all of them but these are our faves)

I kid you not — Where is Baby’s Belly Button and Toes, Ears, Nose are 1000% why Riley learned her body parts pretty early. We read these two all the time.

Where is Baby’s Puppy? and Zoom Zoom Baby were other faves around this age. Just all around interactive books she always brought over to me.

Peekaboo Morning

This book is a DELIGHT. The illustrations are wonderful as the child starts their day and takes us along to see what they see. It’s fun for little ones with the “peekaboo, I see….” repetition and familiar people/things.

Choo Choo by Petr Horacek

I love this board book so much!! It was a random pick from the library and ended up being such a great one. It’s so dynamic and so fun and has cut outs on the pages. Simple text, lots of fun sounds to say as the train is going on its journey and the illustrations are eye catching. I just love the flow of this one. It’s just perfect for this age and especially if your one year old is a train lover or on a transportation kick!

Brown Bear Brown Bear

A classic but this particular edition has sliders that Riley really liked doing. I think she got more into the colors and the animals around 18 months but she loved reading this book and figuring out the sliders way earlier on.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

This one, even at 2, is one of our most requested books at night. And she LOVES to “read” it herself and it’s hilarious. Very animated and I can’t believe how long this one has been one of our go-to’s. She can read it over and over again. I honestly get warm and fuzzies because *I* loved this one as a kid!

Counting Kisses

This one has been a favorite book since she was a baby and has continued on to be one of her favorites to read at 1 years old also. It’s also one of the books I raved about in our best bedtime books for babies & young toddlers post — still one of our favorite bedtime books. Sweet little book about the whole family giving baby kisses before bed. Now Riley rubs the last page and makes kissy noises saying night night baby. So cute!

Daddy Hugs / Mommy Hugs : These ones are just so sweet and such cuddly cute books for 1 year olds. Perfect for bedtime especially!

Related : Heartwarming Picture Books That Make Me Cry

All things Sandra Boynton are fabulous books for 1 year olds and beyond. They are silly, short and always among the most requested. So many great ones to choose from but these seem to be Riley’s faves out of all that we’ve read this past year.

Riley’s giggling during this one will forever be in my head. She gets all silly with the “noooo”. Very engaging!

Super fun bedtime story! A little silliness, good rhythm – we even did some shimmying.

Doing all the barking of all the different dogs was work for me but hearing her giggle when I read made it worth it.

A fun book about different moods! I love how it says it’s okay to have these different feelings & moods!

Oh it’s just a delightful romp with some barnyard animals! Good interactive fun!

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes

This is such a classic book and one that Riley ALWAYS picked to read this year! It’s sweet with all the diverse babies and I love the flow of it with the rhyming and the repetition of the “ten little fingers and ten little toes” which Riley really seemed to love. Plus it’s such a great message!

More More More Said The Baby

What a cuddly little book about 3 little babies and the caregivers who loves them! I think Riley really liked the repetition.

Ten Tiny Babies by Karen Katz

This probably her FAVORITE Karen Katz book — she loved the shenanigans of these little babies. She loves the book so much we renewed it for months and then I finally just decided to buy it. It’s still a hit at 2!

Whose Toes Are Those? by Jabari Asim

This is a cute little book that Riley loved immediately! Very playful and cute! Perfect book if you are looking for ones that feature kids with brown skin as it talks about the brown toes and such.

Leo Loves Baby Time :

I love love love the Lola books and this is Lola’s little brother. A simple and fun little book about Leo going to baby time (which I switched out to say story time because Riley really started to understand what “story time” meant and connected us going).

Love You Head To Toe :

This is a sweet little book full of cute babies and animals wherein babies are compared to animals (sounds weird but like “splash in the water like ducks”). Riley loved pointing out the animals.

This whole series of books from Leslie Patricella is a hit with Riley. They are silly and short and fun. Tickle is another favorite of hers. They are mostly all real interactive and engaging in their simplicity.

Sunrise, Moonrise

Riley loved this one as a baby (bright, high contrast books are awesome!) but really loved it when she turned one and recognized some of the animals! Cute and simple about morning and night.

The Babies in the Park series

Loved introducing these to Riley at each season to help learn about the seasons. Really cute!

The Babies On The Bus by Karen Katz

We love all things Karen Katz in this house but when we moved and were outside playing in the Fall all these school buses would go past and she started getting so excited about them as she started putting it together the school buses vs the wheels on the bus. (She literally does the motions every time one goes by). So I bought her a BUNCH of school bus books but this is definitely the fave for both of us. Definitely one of my favorite books for 1 year olds and young toddlers. Such a fun twist on a classic song!

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Old Macdonald by Salina Yoon

At this age I really enjoyed getting her some books that were also songs because I really felt she started to understand the correlation and she REALLY loved reading the books of favorite songs like Old MacDonald and Wheels on the Bus (above). This Old MacDonald book is really cute and is my FAVORITE of all the Old MacDonald’s out there. Each page the animal head is a textured “tab” of sorts that turns with the page. I don’t really know how else to explain it but I just think this one is the best and Riley LOVED it so much.

Pete the Cat Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

This one is special to me because of how much Riley loved it (and it was given to us by the kids I used to nanny who I used to read LOTS of Pete the Cat with) but it’s also special because it was one of the longer phrases she ever said. It took me forever but she kept saying “ubba bubba” and I realized she was asking me to read the book or sing the song. Ubba bubba = up above the. She got SO happy when I finally realized what she was asking for. Such a good one if your kid loves Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

18 months – 24 months

When 1.5 years old rolled around, a lot of the books in the 12 month section were still major faves around here and some of them she discovered in a whole new way which was fun! We read every single one of these books, in this next section, today at 2!

Riley really became smitten with books with realistic photographs especially of kids. These next two books are FANTASTIC and have been our most read books and still are keepers. Every night these two books seem to be on our bedtime reading lineup. She really engages with them and I think it’s because of the realistic photos of kids doing things that she also might do. Both are diverse and I love that!

We renewed this one over and over and over again until I finally decided just to buy it because I was pretty sure we were destroying the book with all the wear and tear of reading it multiple times of day plus HER flipping through it on her own. It’s a cute book all about all the things hands can do – throw and catch, plant seeds, etc. One of the books that I think has engaged her the most so far!

Show Me Happy

Every night I hear “Show Me Happy!!!” if I don’t put it in our pile to read at bedtime. Wonderful photographs that Riley loves to interact with. A lot of great concepts that she’s learned so much from while reading it. Things like “show me up, show me down” with corresponding photos. I think this is one I’m going to have to buy also because we’ve renewed it for months at this point. Update: I bought the board book and it is definitely shorter and missing some of the parts that our library copy had. Look for the non-board book option because it’s better!

Riley became obsessed with all things babies somewhere around 18 months when we read Ten Tiny Babies which I shared about above. Then Everywhere Babies and then I had to snag a bunch of other books about babies. I don’t know what it is but she likes reading about babies and what they do which probably mirrors a lot of what she does. These are perfect books for toddlers!

Everywhere Babies

Or as Riley calls it, BABIES ERRYWHERE. I just love this book. A sweet book about babies and all the things they do and all the ways they grow. THIS would be a perfect book for a first birthday present. She also has a really cute one called Hooray for Babies that I really like but Riley hasn’t been as in love with yet!

This is another great book to buy for a 1 year old birthday! It’s about baby’s birthday and all the friends who come to play on their special day — babies with all sorts of different moods and personalities! Riley loves all the babies!

Up Up Up Down :

I love this book so much and Riley does too! It’s about a stay at home dad and a toddler and what they do all day — featuring lots of early concept opposites like up/down, yum/yuck. Riley thinks it’s funny and I do too! Totally one of those books I appreciate as a parent because I’m like YEP THIS IS OUR DAY haha.

A Good Day For Ducks

I looooove this book maybe even more than Riley and that’s saying something. I was looking for a good rainy day book and I love how this explores the fun you can have on a rainy day. Such a cozy book that sees the beauty in a rainy day and I know she’s still going to love this beautiful book as she gets older. When Riley asks for this book she says “read drip drop” haha. I put this list on my best books for Easter baskets (by theme) and this one was part of my rainy Spring section! Update: she still loves this book at 4 years old.

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Arf! Buzz! Clack!

This is the perfect early introduction to ABC’s book ever!! It can be grown into once they can start recognizing the letters but it introduces the ABC’s as animal sounds! It’s lovely and a hit with Riley!

How Does Baby Feel? by Karen Katz

This one has been such a good one for teaching her emotions and feelings! She doesn’t read this one as much now at 2 but she loved it around 18-20 months.

Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

We’ve read this to her since she was about 14 months or so and she giggles at this one all the time and always likes to say BLUB BLUB BLUUUUB while we read it but she’s gotten WAY more into it as she’s gotten closer to 2. Such a great book to read to a 1 year old and for sure older toddlers too as they really understand more! I think the rhythm and the funny BLUB BLUB BLUB makes it a hit at a younger age. Update: this book really became even more of a favorite at 2 years old.

Zoom: A Fast-paced Book of Colors

I feel like Riley always loved this one since she was like 6 months old but she definitely got into it more as she got older and even now at 2 she thinks this one is GREAT! It’s bright, catchy rhymes and a great book for kids who are learning or into their colors. Now Riley loves to point at all the cars and tell me the colors. Just a fantastic book! We have a couple of others in the My Little World series and they are just all around great, sturdy board books. This one is still my favorite though!

Peek-A-Bruce

I haven’t read the Bruce books in a little bit (the boys I nannied LOVED them!) but when Disney sent a free copy of this board book to us, Riley was obsessed instantly. She giggled when we read it and loved trying to find Bruce. I found that it has been really great for her in learning using words like “in” “behind” etc when talking about where something (in this case Bruce) is. A cute little peek-a-boo fun with grumpy Bruce geared towards a bit of a younger kid vs the rest in the Bruce series.

Big Red Barn

A classic that has been a hit for my farm loving kid that shows what the animals do when the people are away! I actually really like reading this one, too! Riley loves pointing out EVERY animal so it takes us a bajillion years to read haha.

Some of her favorite seasonal & holiday books at 1

You can find more detailed lists here : Best Christmas books for babies , best Christmas books for toddlers , Best Fall Books For toddlers , best pumpkin books for toddlers , best snow books

10 Busy Brooms : a fun little counting book for Halloween that Riley seemed to like a lot!

Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin : We were reading this book year-round pretty much until I finally hid in February. She LOVES silly Duck and Goose. It’s a perfect book for the younger 1’s. Riley thought it was the funniest book ever in the fall when she was like 14/15 months.

Jingle Bells: I can’t even say this is an actual book for this age group but Riley fell in love with this one!! I finally had to hide this one because I couldn’t take how often she was asking for it. It’s literally just the Jingle Bells song but the pictures tell a different story. She doesn’t get the story happening in the photos but I get a kick out of it. Update: still a favorite and now she sees the story the pictures are telling.

We’re Going On An Egg Hunt : This was such a fun lift the flap for Easter! Riley really enjoyed finding the eggs.

So those are some of Riley’s and my favorite books and stories for 1 year olds! I really have been enjoying making these toddler book lists because we read SO much and I love sharing them. What are some of your favorite books for 12-24 month olds?

Pin these 1 year old book suggestions for later

About Jamie

Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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Erica Metcalf says

August 10, 2019 at 1:17 pm

What a collection!! I love this!

Ivana A says

August 20, 2019 at 8:00 am

I absolutely love this collation!

Rachel @ Never Enough Novels says

September 1, 2019 at 8:09 pm

My five month old has no idea what’s going on with the books we’re reading yet, but I would add Little Blue Truck to this list! That’s one of my favorites to read to him : )

September 20, 2019 at 8:54 pm

I love Little Blue Truck!!

September 7, 2023 at 4:53 pm

Thank you very much for the wonderful list of books. I’ve just brought a few from your list, following your recommendation and am sure they will be a hit with my 1 year old :).

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Best Books For 1 Year Old Toddlers – Our Top 10 Picks!

Aug 15, 2018

Our oldest daughter LOVES books! We began reading them to her from infancy and as soon as she learned to “talk” she began to flip through them as if she was reading them herself. If books for one year olds sounds crazy, trust me it’s not at all! Books were one of her favorite activities from age 1-2. So if you’re looking for the best books for 1 year old toddlers, there is no better source than a recently one-year-old herself!

The below titles made the cut into our top 10 picks of the best books for 1 year old toddlers based on my daughter’s preferences. She just turned 2 and these are the titles that she enjoyed most over the last year of her life. She learned to identify many animals, household items, colors, and shapes from listening to and flipping through books from 1-2 years old. Some of these books even helped her learn to identify and speak all of the capital letters of the alphabet before she was 2 years old!

(Note: This post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase a product through one of my links I make a commission on your sale – at no additional expense to you! Read my full disclosure here .)

Each book on our top 10 list of best books for 1 year old toddlers below is summarized in reference to its story, illustrations, and educational value.

If you are searching for books a 1 year old will love, I hope this list helps you hit the mark!

Note: All of these books are available on Amazon with a link included!

Our Top 10 Best Books For 1 Year Old Toddlers:

1. goodnight moon.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown takes the top spot on our list of best books for 1 year old toddlers because it was probably my daughter’s most consistent favorite over the last year. She still searches for her “moon book” to flip through and identify all of the objects on each page.

Story: Goodnight moon doesn’t feature much of a story like some books for one year olds do. Instead it focuses on saying goodnight to multiple objects in a room to help a young child prep for bedtime.

Illustrations: The illustrations in Goodnight Moon aren’t anything exceptionally notable, but the book does contain illustrations of many household objects that helped my daughter to learn to identify them.

Educational Value: Goodnight Moon’s primary educational value is in a child learning to identify the objects on the pages.

2. We’re Going On A Bear Hunt

Number two on our list of best books for 1 year old toddlers is We’re Going On A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. My daughter became completely obsessed with this book over a period of time, though it’s not one that I originally thought would be a favorite.

Story:  We’re Going On A Bear Hunt tells the story of a family traveling across all different terrains to find a bear. It’s a cute and engaging story. My daughter loved that there was a dog on nearly every page!

Illustrations:  The illustrations in We’re Going On A Bear Hunt alternate between colored and black and white. They are sketch and water-color like.

Educational Value:  I wouldn’t rate this title with very high educational value, though it is definitely a riveting and entertaining story. My daughter enjoyed pointing out objects, people, and animals on each page but the book is not structured to necessarily promote that.

3. Madeline

This title wouldn’t have been one that I thought to categorize with books for one year olds since it is not a board book, but it was so well loved by my daughter from 1-2 years old that several pages have fallen out and I’ve had to tape it together two times. NOTE: This book is not a board book, so the pages can be ripped! The pages are a little bit stronger than just regular paper, but if you are evaluating books for a child that is prone to rip, then this is probably not a title to go with!

Story:  Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans tells the story of a young girl from a boarding school who gets appendicitis and needs surgery. The rhyming structure of the story makes it song-like and lighthearted despite the subject matter.

Illustrations:  The illustrations in Madeline are very sketch-like and fluid. Pages alternate between pictures in just black, white, and yellow and pages in full color. The images are very detailed.

Educational Value:  I do not ascribe significant educational value to Madeline even though it has very detailed illustrations and my daughter loves it to pieces. It is a fun sing-song story with engaging pictures, but I wouldn’t say my daughter has learned a whole lot from reading it.

4. 123 My First Lift-The-Flap Book

Among my daughter’s top favorite books for one year olds was 123 My First Lift-The-Flap Book , illustrated by Charlie Anne Turner. This is a board book though each page features thinner cardboard flaps as well. Again if you are evaluating books for a child prone to ripping, this may not be the best choice. One of the flaps in our copy is missing because my daughter yanked it out!

Story:  This lift-the-flap book doesn’t really have a story to it. Instead it focuses on numbers and counting objects, asking things like “how many of this?” on each page with flaps to lift that reveal the answer.

Illustrations:  The illustrations in this fourth rated of our best books for 1 year old toddlers are bright and cheerful. They feature a lot of cutsie animals, bugs, and plants that a one year old can identify.

Educational Value:  This book has exceptional educational value! The whole book is built around numbers from 1-10 and learning to count each number. This is a great book for one year olds to become familiar with numbers and what it means to count.

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

Number five on our list of best books for 1 year old toddlers is Eric Carle’s classic Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? This book can be purchased in regular board book style or in a bigger, thicker board book style with sliding flaps on each page to reveal the animal on the next page. We have both copies and my daughter loved them both!

Story:  The story in Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is very repetitive. Each page asks what the current animal sees before revealing the answer. It’s a simple story but therefore easy for a one year old to engage with.

Illustrations:  The illustrations in this book are BEAUTIFUL and very unique! Each page features a brightly colored animal that is depicted vibrantly and with very distinct style that I would describe as almost block-like.

Educational Value:  I wouldn’t describe the educational value of this book as extremely high. However, it is very good for teaching one year olds to identify several animals.

6. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Story:  The Very Hungry Caterpillar tells the story of a new little caterpillar eating his way through all kinds of different foods until he becomes full and transforms into a butterfly.

Illustrations:  The illustrations in this book are also BEAUTIFUL! Eric Carle has a very unique illustrative style that features vibrant colors in block-like form that looks like the objects on each page could have been cut out of a magazine and taped on.

Educational Value:  There is not a strong educational value to The Very Hungry Caterpillar. However, it does help to describe to a one year old how caterpillars turn into butterflies and contains several food items for one year olds to begin to identify.

7. Good Night, Gorilla

Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann is a board book so often read by my daughter that it is now in multiple pieces.

Story:  Good Night, Gorilla tells a story about animals escaping a zoo in a very unique manner. The book does not have any narrative text but just a few dialog bubbles. The story is very easy to follow despite the lack of narration.

Illustrations:  The illustrations in Good Night, Gorilla are bright and colorful. They feature a lot of detailed objects and the illustrations essentially tell the story of the book. By paying attention to what is happening in each illustration the story of the book is played out – perfect for one year olds who are paying primary attention to the illustrations!

Educational Value:  Good Night, Gorilla doesn’t feature much direct educational content. However, it is a story about several different animals and contains many different objects in each illustration. In this way, it is a helpful book for one year olds to learn to identify various animals and objects.

8. Little Blue Truck

Number eight on our list of best books for 1 year old toddlers is Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle. This book appears as though it is targeted toward young boys, but it was definitely a favorite for my daughter from 1-2 years as well!

Story:  Little Blue Truck tells the story of a friendly little pickup truck who helps a dump truck out near a farm. The rhyming phrases and rhythmic nature of the narrative is fun and engaging. It’s a bit of a sing-song story with a good lesson about being friendly and helpful.

Illustrations:  The illustrations in Little Blue Truck are detailed, boldly colored, and feature a lot of fun unique perspectives.

Educational Value : Little Blue Truck is a great story for teaching big lessons in being friendly and helpful. These lessons are ones that I would not expect a one year old to pick up on from the story. However, my one year old loved identifying all of the animals and distinguishing between a BIG truck and a LITTLE truck with this book.

9. My First Words

My First Words by Sarah Davis and Dawn Sirett takes spot number nine on our list of best books for 1 year old toddlers. My daughter loved to sit and practice identifying all of the objects it contains!

Story:  There isn’t really a story to this book as it’s sole focus is on object identification. Each page features a category of objects that are each named and illustrated.

Illustrations:  This book features photo-quality pictures of all kinds of objects, food, animals, furniture, vehicles, and body parts.

Educational Value:  This book has extremely high educational value! When my daughter was just starting to identify some household objects she used to flip through this book and get all excited to shout out the name of the ones she knew. It was really a helpful tool for her to practice identifying and repeating every day objects that she encountered.

10. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Last on our list of best books for 1 year old toddlers is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. This is a book that I loved as a kid and my daughter has now enjoyed as well!

Story:  Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tells an engaging story of alphabet letters and their interaction with a coconut tree. The narrative is lyrical, rhyming and rhythmic in a way that is really fun to read and listen to.

Illustrations:  The illustrations in this book are really fun! They feature bold solid colors and very geometric looking designs.

Educational Value:  This books has VERY HIGH educational value! The whole book centers around letters of the alphabet, primarily in lower case form. At the end of the book is a page that just lists all of the upper and lower case letters of the alphabet in bright bold colors. This book was really helpful as my daughter began to learn her ABCs before turning two. We would use the last page of the book where all of the letters were featured to point to letters and have her practice identifying them.

If you are seeking books for one year olds, then I hope this list was helpful to you! Based on my daughter’s interest level from 1-2 years old these are our top 10 best books for 1 year old toddlers, My daughter has learned a lot from many of these books and has thoroughly enjoyed pretending to read through them herself and listening to them each being read to her. If you are looking for a good book for a one year old then you probably can’t go wrong with any board book, but these are 10 that I specifically recommend!

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18 Perfect Books For 1 Year Olds

We have gathered a list of 18 of the best books for one-year-olds, an age when kids are delighted by storybooks and picture books alike.

From the age of 0 - 12 months, babies typically begin to respond to the stories they hear as well as interacting with the pictures and pages of a book.

From the age of one, babies begin to name familiar items that they recognise, answer questions about what they have seen and, at this stage, many 1-year-olds also enjoy turning the pages in the book themselves.

Introducing books to very young children is a great way to instil a love of reading, which is sure to bring hours of joy to your little one for many years to come.

Elmer By David McKee

One of the most beloved children's books for 1 to 2-year-olds, Elmer is the story of an elephant who is born with skin that is a patchwork of bright colours.

Everybody loves Elmer for his fun and happy spirit, but he doesn't always like being different from all the other elephants, and so he tries to disguise himself in grey mud... 1-year-olds are sure to love the charming, colourful illustrations, as well as the cheerful and optimistic storyline.

Image © Elmer Press

Goodnight Moon By Margaret Wise Brown

One of the most well-loved books for 1-2-year-old children, Goodnight Moon is the perfect bedtime story for your baby. Combining lovely illustrations with calming poetry, the story follows a little bunny as he says goodnight to all the things he can see from his bed. A gentle children's book that has the same effect as a night-time lullaby.

Image © Harper Collins

Little Blue Truck By Alice Schertle

This story focuses on being friendly and kind, and the rhyming, rhythmic words make it a fun and exciting read for your little one. There are lots of things for a baby to learn, such as big and small, as well as different colours and animals.

Image © HMH Books

Yummy! My Favourite Nursery Stories By Lucy Cousins

With amazing, bold illustrations, Lucy Cousins brings classic nursery stories up-to-date in this vibrant picture book. A great way to introduce your 1-year-old to all of the best-known and well-loved children's stories, including Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood, as well as many others.

Image © Walker Books

Madeline By Ludwig Bemelmans

The rhyming words of this lovely story are perfect for a very young baby, as they are sure to love listening to the sing-song story as it follows a little girl called Madeline. Although Madeline gets appendicitis and needs surgery, the text is written as a  cheering, rhyming song, which your baby is sure to enjoy.

Image © Viking Press Inc

All Join In By Quentin Blake

The pages of this book are filled with Quentin Blake's delightful drawings, along with simple rhymes that are perfect for one-year-olds. The book encourages young readers to make some noise and to interact with the rhymes and stories - so it's perhaps not the best choice for bedtimes, but a great choice otherwise.

Image © Red Fox

First 100 Words By Roger Priddy

A brightly coloured board book with just 16 pages, this simple book is designed to help very young kids from the age of one to build their vocabulary and knowledge.

The book has 100 everyday words, which are illustrated with clear, colour photographs, making it a great choice for parents who want a book that is both educational and fun.

Image © Priddy Books

We're Going On A Bear Hunt By Michael Rosen And Helen Oxenbury

This book follows a family as they travel through different landscapes hoping to find a bear. With lots of people, animals and other objects on each page, this is one of Rosen's books for a 1-year-old baby that offers plenty to look at and learn.

Peek-A-Boo! By Jan Ormerod

A beautiful baby book about one of their all-time favourite games: peek-a-boo! Each page has a drawing of a baby playing the game, with babies from countries all around the world.

A simple but fun pull-down flap reveals each of their smiling faces, and the book is a lovely choice for babies of this age thanks to the heart-warming drawings that show babies from a variety of different backgrounds.

Image © Dutton Books

Where The Wild Things Are By Maurice Sendak

This enchanting book has become a firm favourite amongst kids of every age, and it has even been turned into a delightful family film. The story follows Max, a wild little boy, who is sent to bed one night without his dinner; Max runs away, sailing off to the Land of the Wild Things, where he is made king.

This adventure book is one of the best books for 1-2-year-olds, which will stay in their bookshelves for many years to come.

Image © Red Fox

Each Peach Pear Plum By Janet And Allan Ahlberg

First published in 1978, this book has stood the test of time, entertaining babies with beautiful pictures and fun poems and rhymes. Babies will love playing 'I spy' on each page, listening to the poem and finding the character within the illustration.

One of the most brilliant books for a baby or young child, the drawings are full of rich detail and the book is populated with lovely characters and a hopeful, happy outlook.

Image © Puffin

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr

Full of lovely animals, the amazing illustrations in this book are by Eric Carle, of The Very Hungry Caterpillar fame, which are combined with a singsong story. Sure to become a favourite with your baby.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar By Eric Carle

A true classic for very young readers, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is the story of a small but greedy creature, who eats his way through lots of different fruits, before finally transforming into a beautiful butterfly. Available in paperback, hardback, board or giant board books, there is an edition that is suitable for kids of every age.

The book is inspired by nature, and its simple story and charming illustrations are guaranteed to make it a firm favourite with your baby.

Guess How Much I Love You By Sam McBratney

A lovely, gentle story that describes the love between a father and son. Little Nutbrown Hare and his dad, Big Nutbrown Hare, compete to show each other how much they love one another.

Dear Zoo: A Lift-The-Flap Book By Rod Campbell

This popular lift-the-flap book is based on a lovely story that follows one child as they receive a new pet animal from the zoo. Each page has a new animal to discover, and this book has stood the test of time, having been published more than 25 years ago.

Image © Macmillan Children's Books

Ten Little Fingers And Ten Little Toes By Mem Fox

Designed with very young children in mind, this book has rhyming text that your young ones will want to hear over and over again. With lovely watercolour illustrations, this book celebrates your baby's tiny fingers and cute toes.

Good Night, Gorilla By Peggy Rathmann

A colourful, bright board book that focuses on the illustrations, with very few words and no 'story' per se. There are a few speech bubbles throughout, but children can follow the story through the pictures, watching as lots of animals try to escape from the zoo.

Image © Egmont

The Going To Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

One of the best books young children will read about going to bed, this is sure to become a family favourite thanks to its humorous tone and fun illustrations. This sturdy board book is a brilliant bedtime story, that is filled with lovely illustrations which are also created by the author.

Image © RealSimple.com

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More for you, 13 super easy activities for kids at home with no equipment, fresh family ideas for spring activities, 17 fun family hobbies to keep everyone entertained at home.

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Fine Art

Rosanna Robertson Bachelor of Arts specializing in Fine Art

Rosanna is a creative and enthusiastic individual who enjoys finding ways to entertain kids through art and crafts, games, and cooking. With a Bachelor's degree in Fine Art from the Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, she brings a unique perspective to her projects, making them both colorful and educational. She is always full of ideas for homemade cards, handcrafted gifts, toys, and decorations that are perfect for children of all ages.

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27 Best Books for 1 Year Olds

Sweet books for 1 year olds that are loved by both children and parents!

Children are never too young to enjoy a good book. And at one year old, little kids are ready to read!

Reading at an early age is so beneficial for young children in terms of developing language and cognitive skills, fostering creativity and imagination, and instilling a lifelong love of reading.  And it’s a fun bonding activity that you can enjoy doing with your young child. 

I’m always amazed to see how excited my children are about reading books starting at a very young age. My youngest, who is currently one year old, is obsessed with books and is constantly bringing his favorite books over for me to read to him. Just because they’re little doesn’t mean they can’t love books and reading!

But sometimes it’s hard to know which books are best for toddlers with limited (but growing) understanding and a short attention span. 

We’ve done the research for you and compiled this list of the best books for 1 year olds.

These books are engaging, simple books that will appeal to young children. Many of them have interactive elements such as touchy-feely parts, flaps to lift, finger puppets, or sounds. 

Read on for books your one-year-old will want to read over and over again!

Also take a look at our list of best books for 2-year-olds !

Best Books for 1 Year Olds

That’s not my dinosaur… by fiona watt.

The That’s Not My… books by Usborne are perfect first books for 1 year olds. 

Each page contains a touchy-feeling element as you search for the right animal or object. In this case, a dinosaur! 

Each of the dinosaurs is not quite right (“that’s not my dinosaur, his teeth are too bumpy”) until the last page contains just the dinosaur you’ve been looking for!

The repetitive text and tactile elements make it an engaging book for little readers. 

Peek-a Who? by Nina Laden

In this sweet rhyming book, young kids will love peering through the little windows to get a glimpse of what is coming up on the next page. 

The last page is “Peek-a you!” and has a little mirror for the child to see their own image. It’s such a cute interactive book for one-year-olds!

Where is Baby’s Belly Button? by Karen Katz

Bright, vivid pictures and engaging flaps to lift will make this an instant favorite for young kids. Teach your child body and positional vocabulary in this simple look and find book. “Where are baby’s eyes? Under her hat!”

Who am I? by Begin Smart

This adorable peek-a-boo book will have little kids giggling with delight. The book forms a mask when you hold it up and peek through the two eye holes. As you wear the face of the animal on the page you ask, “Who am I?” and say the animal sound.

This is an absolute favorite with my kids when they are little and definitely one of the best books for 1 year olds. 

This Little Piggy Finger Puppet Book by Cottage Door Press

Finger puppet books are such a fun way to engage young children in book reading. As you read the nursery rhyme, children will love watching the finger puppet move along with the story. 

We have several of these books and my one-year-olds have always been fascinated by them. Their favorite is the This Little Piggy book, but there are lots of wonderful choices in this series.

Look, Look! by Peter Linenthal

This book is made up of high-contrast, black and white images perfect for developing eyes. Each page contains only a few words describing the picture, which is helpful for young children to learn new vocabulary.

To be honest, this is a book that I wouldn’t necessarily consider to be the most engaging at first glance, but all three of my boys have loved this book at one year old! We have little motions that we make up for each page and it’s always one of their most chosen books.

I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak

This adorable story goes through all the things you love about your child, from their hair and eyes to their giggles and cries. This rhyming book is a heartwarming story that you will love reading with your child. 

And the illustrations of the little boy and the teddy bear are so sweet and make the story silly and engaging.

Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton

You can’t go wrong with Sandra Boynton at this age, and Barnyard Dance is one of our absolute favorites. You won’t be able to help tapping your feet as you read this catchy sing-song tale of a dance on the farm with all the farmyard animals involved in the fun.  

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

We couldn’t have a list of the best books for 1 year olds and not include Goodnight Moon.

A perfect book for a quiet bedtime story, Goodnight Moon has been a favorite of children and parents alike for over 70 years. 

Children will love reading along and helping the little rabbit say goodnight to all the objects in his bedroom before falling asleep. 

Poke-a-Dot: Old MacDonald’s Farm by Melissa & Doug

If your one-year-old loves pushing buttons (and let’s be honest, what one-year-old doesn’t?), this is the book for you! 

Each page has bubbles that pop when you push them as well as a counting element to teach young children about numbers. Combine that with the familiar Old MacDonald’s Farm song and you have a book that young children won’t be able to get enough of!

Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

In this classic book, kids will enjoy lifting the flaps to see the animals the zoo has sent to be a pet. But the animals are too tall, too scary, too fierce… Will they ever find just the right pet? Cute and engaging, this book is a fun one for little animal lovers.

Never Touch a Dinosaur by Rosie Greening

Everyone knows that you should never touch a dinosaur…but this touchy-feely book will have little kids giggling as they touch all of the interactive elements. 

The silicone touch pieces all have different textures that are dynamic and interesting to little kids. Plus the dinosaur theme and fun rhyme make it enjoyable to read over and over again!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

This classic children’s book will leave toddlers delighted as they watch the hungry caterpillar eat his way through all the food in the book. 

The varied page sizes and little holes from the caterpillar’s voracious appetite are fun for young kids to handle as you read. While reading this book, children can also learn counting up to ten and the days of the week.

Indestructibles: Baby Let’s Eat! by Amy Pixton

If you have a toddler who is tough on books, this is the book for you! These washable books are chew-proof and rip-proof so you can give them to your young child with confidence, knowing they won’t get destroyed. 

This is also a great book for introducing different kinds of foods and talking about colors. 

First 100 Words by Roger Priddy

Bright colors and vivid pictures make this padded board book an ideal choice for young children. This book uses colorful pictures to introduce 100 common first words. Small, sturdy pages are perfect for little hands. 

Noisy Animals by Libby Walden

Noisy Animals combines touchy-feely and sound elements in a book perfect for little learners. Toddlers will love pushing the buttons to hear the animal sounds as they look at pictures of each animal. 

We love the real animal sounds and the on/off switch so you can turn those sounds off when you’re done. 

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

Always a classic, this much-loved book has a rhythmic, repetitive text that appeals to toddlers. It’s perfect for teaching colors and animals as children guess who’s going to appear on the next page.

Animal Hide-and-Seek by Jenny Tyler

Young children will love searching for the farmyard animals hiding behind the flaps in this farm-themed touchy-feely book. The flaps are sturdy for young readers and each page contains several engaging touchy-feely elements. 

My firstborn loved this book so much that it was the only book he would read for months when he was one year old!

Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill

Mommy is looking for Spot, but instead is finding all sorts of other animals all over the house. Can she find Spot so he can eat his dinner? 

Kids will love opening up the flaps to discover what animals are hiding inside in this fun lift-the-flap book.

Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton

Okay, we had to throw one more Sandra Boynton book on the list of best books for 1 year olds. In this cute book, the turkey just can’t seem to get his clothes on the right way. 

Little kids will crack up to see the turkey wearing his hat on his feet and his pants on his head. Soon they’ll be pointing with you and saying, “Oops!” every time they see him getting it not quite right. It’s a great story for teaching about colors, clothing, and body parts. Simple and engaging, this book is perfect for young kids (and my older kids love it too!). 

Night Night Farm by Roger Priddy

It’s nighttime on the farm and all the animals are settling down in their beds for sleep. This darling rhyming book has flaps and windows for engaging little readers. It’s a perfect book to read to help your child wind down before bed.

Pop-Up Peekaboo: Baby Animals by DK

Toddlers will be fascinated by this dynamic hide and seek pop-up book. On each page, you can help a mommy or daddy animal find their baby by opening the flap. When the flap opens, out pops a cute baby animal!

Gallop by Rufus Butler Seder

This unique book uses Scanimation technology to make moving pictures that come to life on the page. By tilting the page back and forth, you can see a horse galloping, turtles swimming, a monkey swinging through the trees, and more. 

Although the (admittedy somewhat goofy) rhyme doesn’t really have a story to it, the pictures alone are enough to capture a one-year-old’s attention and keep it! This book has always been a favorite of my little kids.

Freight Train Lift-the-Flap by Donald Crews

Follow along with a freight train as it travels on it’s way, passing cities, crossing bridges, and traveling through tunnels. And with this lift-the-flap version, you can take a peek inside the colorful cars of the freight train. 

Simple text and bright, vivid colors make this a great book for little readers, especially those who love trains!

Night Sounds by Sam Taplin

If you’re looking for a really not annoying toddler sound book, you’ll want to check out Usborne’s Noisy Book series. 

Parents and toddlers alike will love the gentle, authentic sounds on each page with buttons easy enough for a one-year-old to press. The stunning illustrations and lovely sounds make this a perfect story to read before bed.

Jamberry by Bruce Degen

Catchy rhymes and playful illustrations make this book a delight to read for adults and kids alike. The silly story follows a bear and a boy who are out looking for berries and end up having a berry jamboree! 

There is something that is so fun about the lilt and flow of the words in this book, which makes it one of our favorite books to read.

Are You There Little Tiger? by Sam Taplin

Little children will love searching for the tiger in this sweet little book. On each page a peephole lets them see what looks like the tiger on the next page, but when you turn the page it’s actually a different animal! Finally, the last page reveals the little tiger chasing butterflies. 

Lovely illustrations, fingertrails, and peepholes on each page make this an engaging book for little readers.

Tips for reading to 1 year olds

Sometimes it can be hard to know how to get and keep a one-year-old’s interest in books. These little guys are always on the go and don’t necessarily have the best attention span, so it can be hard to get them to sit down and focus on a book.

Here are a few ideas for engaging your child and making your reading time together something you both enjoy.

Of course, every one-year-old is different and you know your child best, so if you have reading strategies that your child loves, stick with what’s working!

Use motions or silly voices

One of the best ways to get your child to enjoy reading is to have fun with it yourself! Read in a goofy or dramatic voice, use big gestures, and allow yourself to be silly while reading. 

Let your child interact with and turn the pages

Get sturdy books that your child can interact with. This will give them a feeling of competence and independence when handling books.

Talk about what you see on each page

Point out objects or items of interest on each page to help your child start noticing what’s happening in the pictures. Ask questions that engage your child and encourage them to think about what they are seeing. This helps your child relate to the book and start connecting what they see in books with what they see in the real world. 

Read consistently, even if it’s just for a few minutes

It’s more important to read consistently with your child than it is to read for long stretches of time. At this young age, your child might only last for a minute or two before they lose interest and are ready to move on to something else. 

The important thing is that they are having a lot of exposure to books. Over time, consistent reading will help to build their attention span until they’re able to make it through the whole book (or two or three!).

Have a set time when your child knows that you read 

Each day, have a set time when you read with your child. This could be before or after naps, after breakfast, before bed, etc. Your child will know what to expect and be prepared to sit down and enjoy a book at that time. This helps your child focus and also makes sure you get your reading time in each day.

Common Questions about Reading with a 1 Year Old

Should you read to a 1 year old.

Yes, you should absolutely read to your one-year-old! It’s never too early to start reading to your child. 

And in fact, there are a lot of positive outcomes from starting an early habit of reading with your child. Reading books at a young age helps children develop speaking and listening skills, expands their vocabulary, and increases their understanding of the world around them.

And not only are you developing language and comprehension skills, but it’s also a valuable bonding time for you and your one-year-old.

How often should you read to a 1 year old?

There’s no set amount of time you should read to your one-year-old, but it’s good to get into a habit of reading together each day, preferably multiple times a day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading with your child every day, starting at birth.

A good way to get in a routine of reading with your child is to read a book before naps and bedtime. That way both of you know that there is a certain time each day that you will read together and it’s easy to remember.

My one-year-old knows that this is our time for reading and he runs right over to pick out a book before sleep. It’s a sweet time together that we both look forward to.

What should you look for in a book for a 1 year old?

There are a few important factors to consider when choosing the best books for 1 year olds. Here are some things to think about when picking books.

Sturdy pages

If you have a one-year-old, you know how hard they can be on books. When picking books for your young child, choose sturdy board books so that they can handle the pages without damaging them. 

Not only does this protect your book collection, but it also gives your child tactile stimulation and experience interacting with books.

Simple, repetitive text

For young children who are developing their vocabulary and learning language patterns, concise and repetitive text is the ideal to look for in books. 

It’s easier for toddlers to understand and start to internalize meaning when they can hear the same words or phrases over and over.

Engaging pictures

Books with vivid pictures, bright colors, and high contrast are more likely to catch your child’s eye when you’re reading together. These kinds of images are easier to see for developing eyes and more interesting to little children. 

Interactive elements

Interactive elements in books are an ideal way to engage young children in reading. One-year-olds aren’t known for having the longest attention span, so when you can add in fun features such as touchy-feely parts, noises, finger trails, puppets, or peek-through windows, you’re more likely to capture and keep their focus on the book.

Final Thoughts

Reading with young kids can be so fun and rewarding for everyone involved as long as you have the right books! 

With this list of the best books for 1 year olds, you can find the perfect stories for reading time with your child. And in the process, you will create memories and develop skills that will last a lifetime!

Other posts you might be interested in:

19 Amazing Farm Books for Kids!

Best Books for 2 Year Olds

17 Sweet Christmas Books for Toddlers

Related posts.

21 Best Books for 2 Year Olds (That They Will Want to Read Again and Again!)

18 Christmas Books for Preschoolers to Add to Your Collection

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Beyond the Bookends

A Book Blog for Women and Moms who Love to Read

The Best Book Lists for 1-Year-Olds

Are you ready for a ton of books for your little one? Then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve got an amazing selection of book lists for 1-year-olds to enjoy. Scroll down to find your next favorite read!

Table of Contents

The Best Books for 1-Year-Olds

If you don’t know where to start on your chapter book journey, this is the list for you.

It includes 40+ mini-book reviews separated by sub-genre from animal books to bedtime stories, nature books, and more. With easy navigation tools and great book recommendations, this is the list you’ll come back to again and again.

Reading Readiness Book Lists for 1-Year-Olds

Want to focus on pre-reading skills for your kid? The reading list below will give you book recommendations and activity suggestions to help your child develop language and pre-reading skills.

Language Development Books for a 1-year-old

Learn how to engage with your child to further their vocabulary and language development with reading. This curated list includes books in categories like animals, colors, transportation, emotions, and more.

Each book recommendation is accompanied by suggestions on how to engage with kids ages 12-18 months and 18-24 months while reading.

For more early chapter books, scroll down to see our full collection of book lists for 6-year-olds!

New and Upcoming Releases

The hottest newest and upcoming books for 1-year-olds so you can find the latest book releases by month or season.

For daily book reviews, author interviews, and reading challenge tracking, follow us on Instagram!

More Book Lists for 1-Year-Olds

The book lists below are carefully curated with our favorite beginning and early reader books. You’ll find posts featuring books about the alphabet, wordless picture books, Holiday books, and more.

Have a special request? Drop a comment or send us an email to let us know if you want a customized list based on your favorite book or sub-genre.

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Which book lists for 1-year-olds are your favorite? Did you find anything you are eager to read?

Want to enhance your reading and explore new genres check out the complete list of reading challenges here..

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11 Best Books For 1-Year-Olds In 2024, Recommended By Teachers And Parents

Storytime made fun with cute, colorful books with illustrations.

Elisabeth Daly is a state-certified high school English teacher. Over her two decade career, she has taught students in grades 9-12 at both public and private high schools, and worked as an adjunct professor at her local community college. ... read full bio

Wedetso Chirhah holds a masters degree in English Literature from Mangalore University and has over 13 years of experience in content. He has written content for more than 15 B2B websites and edited s... read full bio

Shreya is a gold medalist with a master’s degree in clinical psychology from SGT University, Gurugram. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in applied psychology from Amity University, Gwalior. Her ... read full bio

Praven is an English literature expert. He did his bachelors in English from Delhi University and masters in English from Manipur University. Besides, he holds a certificate in multimedia design and c... read full bio

MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us .

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To develop the language and observation skills of 1-year olds, experts recommend parents spend more time reading with their little ones. The best books for 1-year-olds have classic stories and colorful illustrations that can help develop little ones’ vocabulary, rational expression, language, and literacy skills. It has a lasting effect as it forms the foundation for their learning pursuits.

Elisabeth Daly , a state-certified high school English teacher and book blogger, says, “Children of all ages love books! These stories can help little ones connect words to pictures and help develop their early language and vocabulary skills.”

Check out the list of the best-selling and parent-recommended books for one-year-olds below.

Best With Bright Illustrations: Deborah Diesen The Pout-Pout Fish

Best for bedtime: margaret wise brown goodnight moon, best interactive: eric hill where’s spot, best for developing imagination: rod campbell dear zoo a lift-the-flap book, best with lovely artwork: hannah hall god bless you and good night, best for sensory stimulation: tobe readyfor life fabric book, best for hand-eye coordination: melissa and doug whose feet, best for language development: ditty bird children’s songs book, best for introducing animals: little hippo touch and feel wild animals, best for introducing the alphabet: maria harding animal abc, 11 best books for 1-year-olds in 2024, 1. best with bright illustrations: deborah diesen the pout-pout fish.

The Pout-Pout Fish is a fun story of a fish and its journey through depression and happiness. This book also explores the different facets of sadness and happiness. The sweet story revolves around a sad fish and other sea creatures who ask the fish to be happy or smile a little. This New York Times best-selling storytime book for one-year-olds and above comes with understandable and colorful illustrations by Dan Hanna.

2. Best For Bedtime: Margaret Wise Brown Goodnight Moon

Goodnight Moon is the iconic bedtime story that takes your baby to dreamland. This best-selling book has colorful illustrations by Clement Hurd. The classic story revolves around a rabbit and his green room. This calm and soft rhythm is appealing as the rabbit bids goodnight to everyone and every object present in the room. It can quickly become the little one’s favorite book as it is relatable to their daily life. You may know more about this classic book in this video .

3. Best Interactive: Eric Hill Where’s Spot?

Where’s Spot is an interactive, fun story about a cute little puppy and a dog who searches for Spot. This time-tested lift-the-flap book for one-year-olds to three-year-olds has engaging illustrations and well-placed sentences that encourage the little one to search Spot along with the cute puppy. This interactive story also teaches your little one different animals and objects commonly seen in a room. Check out this video where the author reads the story aloud.

4. Best For Developing Imagination: Rod Campbell Dear Zoo A Lift-the-Flap Book

Dear Zoo is an interactive book with eye-catchy illustrations. This animal-themed book for one-year-olds and over introduces different zoo animals to your little one. It also defines each unique attribute of the animal. The sweet storybook creates curiosity and adds imagination to your little one’s thinking.

"I love how this book turns storytime into an interactive experience, fostering a love for reading early on. The book has interactive flaps and engaging illustrations that little ones enjoy. I love to read this book to my grandchildren."

5. Best With Lovely Artwork: Hannah Hall God Bless You and Good Night

God Bless You and Good Night is another bedtime storybook that takes you through ten different animals’ bedtime routines. It covers all the routine things animal families do, such as bathing, getting on jammies, and hitting a snack before bedtime. This imaginative story makes your little one follow their bedtime routine. This fun book for one-year-olds to three-year-olds comes with a precious and understandable piece of artwork.

"This charming book has become my child's favorite bedtime companion. Its adorable illustrations and heartwarming message of love are wholesome and nurturing. However, the touch-and-feel version could be improved. Overall, it makes a great baby shower or birthday gift."

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

Over 5,019 customers on Amazon have opined that this is one of the best products in its category.

6. Best For Sensory Stimulation: ToBe ReadyFor Life Fabric Book

Soft fabric book that is interactive and encourages language and sensory skills. The adorable book is made of soft polyester material that includes a mirror and a handle to attach the stroller . The fabric book has bright, attractive images. Every page of this sensory book for babies has an exciting feature and is durable, non-toxic, and machine-washable.

"Got this interactive and colorful book for my sister, and she loved it. It is well-made and easy to wash, which is a great advantage!"

7. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination: Melissa and Doug Whose Feet?

Whose Feet? by the trusted brand Melissa & Doug is a soft activity book that encourages your little one to glance at a book creatively and interactively. This crocodile-inspired busy book for one-year-olds comes with a cute story, dangly feet, and colorful pictures. This machine-washable book introduces different animals and teaches your little one hand-eye coordination.

"This book feels soft, has vibrant colors, and comes in a convenient vinyl case. My kids enjoy the interactive experience of the dangling feet with accompanying sounds. While it disrupts the reading flow, the kids find it delightful. Highly recommended!"

8. Best For Language Development: Ditty Bird Children’s Songs Book

If you are looking for rhyme and rhythm books for your one-year-old, this Children’s songs book is an excellent sound book that delivers different rhymes and illustrative artwork. The adorable book has push buttons that support language learning. Your little one can now hear different rhymes on each page. This expert-approved sound book for one-year-olds to three-year-olds enhances fine motor skills and language abilities and provides an opportunity for parents to bond with their children.

9. Best For Introducing Animals: Little Hippo Touch and Feel Wild Animals

Touch and feel books could be a great addition to teach your baby. This book teaches your infant about how it feels when you touch that specific animal. It also teaches the unique characteristics of the animal. It includes animal images with a unique area to sense them and indulge in an imaginative world. This book is a perfect choice for exploring wild animals and their facts.

"I got this as a gift for a child who loves animals, and she enjoyed the interactive pictures and the texture on each page. I found the patches that mimic animal skin interesting, teaching children about different animal features. It's also pretty durable and well-constructed."

10. Best For Introducing The Alphabet: Maria Harding Animal ABC

Encourage early learning with the Animal ABC book, which is well-crafted with attractive, engaging illustrations to grab your child’s attention. It helps to teach alphabets and different animals with simple texts. Additionally, this book encourages vocabulary building, visual memory, observation, and literacy skills. Each page is made of thick paper, making it the perfect book for tiny hands.

"I love how it features a modern and colorful interpretation of an ABC book, filled with adorable animals. It's a hit with my son, and it keeps him engrossed. While the uneven binding makes it sit odd, there have been no issues with turning the pages. A great learning tool for toddlers!"

11. Best With Easily Recognizable Images: Wonder House My First Library

My first library is a set of ten board books that introduce your infant to alphabets, numbers, shapes, colors, animals, birds, vehicles, vegetables, and fruits. Each book features attractive and easily recognizable images. The simple books are designed to fit easily in tiny hands with thick paper and are one of the best first words books for one-year-old and two-year-old toddlers. These ABC and 123 books for one-year-olds are ideal for gifting .

"I found this set cute, good-quality, and compact. I like the realistic pictures - very Montessori-friendly. The durability is yet to be tested, but they're wonderful for now."

How To Choose The Right Book For One-Year-Olds?

Here are some factors you should consider when buying books for 1-year-old babies.

• Size: Choose a book that is lightweight and fits easily in tiny hands. Also, ensure that the paper size of the book is thick with rounded edges, providing convenience to turn the pages over easily.
• Appealing images: Bright colors and attractive images often look appealing to the eyes. Big images are convenient to remember and easier to recognize. Pick a book that has clear illustrations and makes their eyes feel calm.
• Appealing text: Small font sizes are difficult to read. Any book with a larger font size is convenient to read. Select a book with a simple story and easy-to-read text or lines with common words that help your infant remember them and try to use them. Moreover, rhymes and rhythmic words are easier for infants to use.
• Appealing sounds: Sound books are another great option for babies as the engaging noises – whether they are songs, rhymes, or animal sounds, can be a fun sensory experience for little ones.
• Reviews: Check the reviews left by other parents to determine if a book is suitable for your child. Their testimonials will help you identify parent-recommended options that are suited to your little one.

When To Start Reading To Your Baby?

Wedetso Chirhah is an experienced product writer and reviewer specializing in books, automobiles, and other household appliances. He has written this post on the best books for one-year-olds after conducting an in-depth examination of the content of each book and going through the reviews of parents and caretakers. He has also put together a curated buying guide to help you make an informed decision and choose the right product to suit your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I give books to a one-year-old?

Yes, books can be a great way to grab and retain the attention of a one-year-old. Reading books to a one-year-old can help them improve their vocabulary through practice and imitation ( 1 ).

2. How many books should a one-year-old have?

There is no limit to the number of books a one-year-old can have. However, make sure that you use one book at a time and finish it before moving on to another.

3. How do I introduce books to my one-year-old?

You can introduce books to your one-year-old by reading with them or showing them the pictures from the books. Letting your toddler choose a book or turn its pages can make them feel involved and interested in reading books.

Why Trust MomJunction?

Wedetso Chirhah is an experienced product writer and reviewer specializing in books, automobiles, and other household appliances. He has written this post on the best books for one-year-olds after conducting market research and going through the reviews of customers and users. He has also put together a curated buying guide to help you make an informed decision and choose the right product to suit your needs.

No child is too young to enjoy a good book. Many parents read to their children while still in the womb to help foster the parent-child bond. However, when choosing a book for your one-year-old, choose one from a trusted brand or author and ensure it has bright, interesting images and an entertaining storyline to grasp their attention. You can look for stories about kindness, friendship, and family to help develop positive emotions. Reading helps them create a rich network of words, and they learn to express themselves. So, we hope our list of the best books for one-year-olds can help you understand the available options.

Infographic: What Are The Various Kinds Of Books For A One-Year-Old?

Books for one-year-old babies are engaging and educational tools that promote early literacy, parent-child bonding time, and cognitive development. Understanding the different categories of these books can help you choose the ones that suit your baby’s needs the most. Check out the infographic below to discover the various types of books for one-year-olds and their unique features.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

• How to teach your child to love reading https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/teach-your-child-to-love-reading
• Reading Books to Babies https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/reading-babies.html

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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

Buy on Amazon

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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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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Parents / Alli Waataja

Though kids won't understand or even remember their first birthday, there's still much to celebrate. When a baby turns 1, they've already reached countless developmental milestones , like babbling and mimicking. Their personality is starting to shine through as their grasp of language explodes, and they’ve likely started giving hugs and kisses.

The most important things to remember when choosing a gift for the 1-year-olds in your life are safety and the caregivers’ peace of mind. Keep in mind that kids at this age are prone to putting pretty much everything in their mouths, so in addition to avoiding choking hazards, you want to avoid anything that could be toxic to ingest. And remember that many parents, especially those that work from home, may prefer toys that aren't overly noisy (or at least have an off switch). 

At 1 year old, children are curious about their world, honing their fine motor skills, and practicing their vocabulary and language. To support their development in this exciting new stage, we've compiled a list of the best gifts to help them continue learning. From books that will inspire a love of reading to personalized puzzles, this list includes classic toys and inventive new ones for their first birthday and beyond.

Baby Einstein Clever Composer Tune Table

Musical toys hold great appeal for toddlers, who gravitate toward anything that helps them make noise. Although 1-year-olds aren’t quite ready for instrument lessons, they can still benefit from musical experiences: Music can even help babbling babies develop language skills faster . 

With more than 20 musical instrument sounds and three modes of play, including modes for music-making and language development, the Baby Einstein Clever Composer Tune Table will help any toddler create music. Depending on the baby’s development, you can remove the legs so they can sit on on the floor while playing. Or, add the legs on for standing play.

Lovevery Play Kits

My parents gifted us the Lovevery Play Gym before my daughter was born, and since then, we’ve purchased several of the play kits—including the newly released ones for 4-year-olds. The kits are designed for different ages in increments of 3 months, so each toy and activity is developmentally appropriate. 

Each one comes with a variety of toys, a kids’ book, and an instructional book to guide parents through ways they can use the toys to help their kids practice skills. While expensive, I’m consistently impressed by how durable and well-made the toys are.

World of Eric Carle My First Library 12-Book Set

Courtesy of Amazon

Starting at a young age, books are incredibly important : They introduce children to a love of reading, provide a way for parents to bond with their kids, and, of course, help children learn new words. Many caregivers will remember books by Eric Carle, and this is a beautiful set of educational board books featuring Carle’s beautiful illustrations. Throughout the 12-book series, the beloved Very Hungry Caterpillar guides readers through lessons on shapes, the alphabet, and more.

Peek-A-Who?

This board book uses cut-out pages to create a classic game of peek-a-boo. My daughter received it for her first birthday, and we’ve since gifted versions to other friends to mark the occasion of their children’s first birthday. It’s a short, interactive book, ideal for a 1-year-old’s attention span, and since it’s small, it fits easily into a diaper bag for on-the-go entertainment or distraction.

Mega Bloks Big Building Bag

A classic toy kids will play with for years is this giant bag of Mega Bloks. There are 80 blocks of different sizes and colors, so littles can build any creation they want. All the blocks come in a giant zippered bag for easy storage.

The Wonderful Things You Will Be

This charming book from Emily Winfield Martin, an artist and writer whose work is inspired by fairytales, imagines all of the things a young child can grow up to be while encouraging them to be whatever they want to be. The rhyming text makes the storyline fun to read out loud, and my child adores picking a new thing she wants to be each time we read it.

The Snowy Day

First published in the 1960s by writer and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats, The Snowy Day is a classic children's book. I remember my parents reading me the beautiful story as a child, and I love reading it to my own kid decades later. The story and illustrations are simple yet magical, detailing the excitement of a day exploring the snow. Plus, this durable board book version stands up to teething and is easy for little hands to hold.

Slumberkins Sloth Snuggler & Board Book

Soft, cuddly, and adorable, this Slumberkins set comes with a sweet sloth stuffed animal, plus a corresponding book. The board book helps introduce children to reading while also starting to teach them about routines, daily plans, and mindfulness.

Created by a family therapist and special education teacher, Slumberkins’ animals and books encourage social-emotional skills such as self-regulation, empathy, and kindness. As a child gets older, there’s even an Apple TV show based on the characters for them to watch.

Fisher-Price 2-Sided Steady Speed Panda Walker

Of all the physical milestones a child might reach during the first year, walking may require the most effort . Pushing toys are a type of safe baby walker alternative that can help build the strength and coordination babies need. Many, like this one from Fisher-Price, have extra play features—like a built-in shape sorter and buttons to press—that help your kiddo practice other skills, too.

The broad handle on this two-sided walker is ideal for toddlers just starting to pull up to standing, and its low center of gravity provides maximum stability. It also has a longer shelf life than your average walker: Babies as young as 6 months old can play with the activities while sitting down, and over 100 songs and 10 activities will still keep a toddler entertained well after they’re walking unassisted.

Orange Tree Toys Shark Pull Along

Pulling toys, like this beautiful wooden shark, help teach toddlers balance and coordination. The shark is hand-painted in lovely bright colors (with non-toxic paint) and is suitable for little ones ages 12 months old and up. This pull-along toy also comes in a few other animal shapes, including a pony, chameleon, and giraffe.

VTech Pull and Sing Puppy

This interactive pull toy includes lights and sounds that are activated when a toddler pulls the string. It also includes colorful buttons that will help kids develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. (Just make sure that the family you’re giving it to is okay with noisy toys!)

labebe labebe Ride Unicorn

Ride-on toys that encourage 1-year-olds to push with their feet to gain momentum help build muscle tone, coordination, and body awareness. This adorable unicorn rocking horse is low to the ground for safety, and it’s made from a soft fabric that toddlers will want to hug. We also appreciate that the toy has a safety belt that clips around the kid’s waist.

The Hair Book

It’s never too early to start teaching kids about being proud of themselves and recognizing the different but beautiful ways people show up in this world—a great start to lessons in diversity, inclusivity, and identity . This sweet board book celebrates different types and textures of hair, and its colorful pictures are sure to engage little ones. The book is also available in a hardcover option , though the board book is your best bet for withstanding rough-and-tumble toddlers.

Little Tikes Cozy Coupe 30th Anniversary Car

The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe is an absolute classic toy—many parents likely owned one themselves as kids. The little car allows kids to use their feet to move, helping them with coordination, body awareness, and muscle tone. Plus, around the 1-year-old stage, they’ve likely started mimicking their parents, so they’ll love having a car of their own to play with.

BusyPuzzle Busy Board for Toddlers

This personalized busy board is kind of like a puzzle—when ordering, select up to 10 letters, and you’ll receive a custom engraved board with the kid’s name (or another fun word) on it. The 1-year-old can slot the letter pegs into their places and practice their fine motor skills and letter recognition. Plus, you can also opt to add extra pegs, like an animal or a flower.

Nuby Floating Purple Octopus Interactive Bath Toy

This purple octopus is a fun addition to any family’s bathtime routine. The 1-year-old can toss the three included rings onto one of the floating octopus’s tentacles, encouraging fine motor skills. Plus, it’s designed without crevices to prevent mold from growing.

Munchkin Farm Animal Squirts Baby Bath Toy, 8 Pack

Little ones love playing with water toys of all types. Taking their wet fun indoors, these farm animals make bathtime sweet and interactive. When filled with water, kids can squeeze them to spray a small stream of water, practicing those fine motor skills while they’re at it! Plus, the toys can help teach kids the names of barnyard animals.

Odin Parker Wooden English Alphabet Blocks

Odin Parker

These small, stackable wooden blocks come in a set of 26: one for each letter of the alphabet. On one side, the blocks have a letter, and on the other, there’s a small design that corresponds with the letter, like “B” for bear. This is a great opportunity for little ones to practice their letter recognition and language skills, and parents will appreciate that the blocks have child-friendly rounded corners and edges.

Crayola My First Palm Grip Crayons

A creative first birthday gift, this 12-pack of egg-shaped crayons is made for little fingers to grab. Holding and manipulating crayons helps toddlers develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, and it’s a great opportunity for the 1-year-old to learn their colors. It’s also a fun way for parents, caregivers, and siblings to play with a little one.

Hollow Woodworks Personalized Puzzle Step Stools

Pottery Barn Kids

This personalized Pottery Barn step stool is a thoughtful and functional first birthday gift. You can select up to eight letters (or up to twelve, for an added fee), and you’ll receive a customized step stool that doubles as a name puzzle. It’s a fun way for kids to learn the letters in their name. Plus, having a kid-sized step stool comes in handy down the line during potty training when the toddler needs to reach the toilet.

Fat Brain Toys InnyBin

Fill-and-spill toys, like the InnyBin from Fat Brain Toys, introduce toddlers to the concept of object permanence . With bright colors and textures, each of the differently shaped pieces provides a sensory experience for 1-year-olds while also helping them develop curiosity and memory skills as they push the shapes through the bin.

Hape Scoot Around Ride On Wood Bike

A balance bike helps kids practice their motor skills and strengthen their muscles. This wooden balance bike comes in green or blue and is made with water-based paint and non-toxic finishes. It’s low to the ground so little feet can reach the floor and scoot around.

Wee Gallery Nesting Blocks

Blocks allow for tons of open-ended imaginative play. The blocks in this 10-piece set are numbered and are each a different size, so kids can practice counting and problem-solving when stacking them together. Made from eco-friendly and non-toxic materials, the black and white blocks have a sweet woodland theme featuring deer, owls, and more.

Fat Brain Toys SpinAgain Kids Stacking Toy

This interactive toy combines stacking with classic fill-and-spill toys. Toddlers will have fun stacking the different bright color discs and watching them spin around the corkscrew pole. The pole detaches from the base, so it’s easy to retrieve the discs and play again. Bonus: The discs are made from BPA-free coated ABS plastic.

Developmental Milestones

By the time they reach their first birthday, most children have figured out how to sit up, crawl, and pull up to stand. Some may even be starting to walk. Over the next year of their life, they’ll continue to reach many more exciting developmental milestones. There are plenty of toys that help 1-year-olds reach these goals in a fun, engaging way.

Toddlers will continue to build physical strength, especially as they become more mobile, so toys that they can move can aid in that development. For a pulling toy, we recommend the VTech Pull and Sing Puppy, while the Fisher-Price Steady Speed Panda Walker is great for practicing pushing (and walking or standing!). Plus, the Labebe Unicorn Rocking Horse is an adorable rocking pick. Toddlers can also practice hand-eye coordination with a toy that requires them to move pieces into a particular place, like the Busy Puzzles Busy Board. 

They’re also figuring out cause and effect and object permanence, which they can practice with the Fat Brain Toys InnyBin. (This toy also helps their fine motor skills .) Finally, exposure to music and books at an early age can help with language development, social skills, and gross-motor development, so we recommend the Baby Einstein Clever Composer or Peek-a Who?

When choosing a gift for a 1-year-old, there are several safety considerations to keep in mind. First, consider the item’s age recommendations. Toys targeted at older children may have small parts that can detach and pose a choking hazard for younger kids, especially since 1-year-olds like to put things in their mouths. 

Similarly, consider the materials used in the product. Look for options that are BPA-free or made from nontoxic materials in case the toddler chews or bites it. For instance, you want any art materials, like the ones listed in this guide, to be non-toxic, as there's a good chance they may put their fingers in their mouth after they dip in paint or try to suck on a crayon. And all painted toys should be labeled as not containing lead; this is especially important when purchasing toys made outside the U.S. and certain plastic toys, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Parents’ Peace of Mind

Finding the perfect gift is as much about the caregivers as the child. The best toys are multifunctional, long-lasting, engaging for the child, and pleasing for the parent. While some parents might be perfectly fine with noisy gifts, as a mom working primarily from home, I had a rule that any loud gift had to stay at the gift giver's house to be played with when visiting. 

And as someone that does environmental reporting, I also requested toys that aren’t made out of plastic, and if they were hand-me-downs, that they were up to current safety standards. Of course, every family is different, but when picking out a gift, consider the caregivers and their values. For instance, they may prefer a specific color scheme for aesthetics, or if they live in a small place, they may want functional or small toys. 

When in doubt, ask. Many parents have a list of wish items or definite no-nos, and they'll appreciate the thought.

Your Questions, Answered 

Why are first birthdays a big deal .

Even though a child isn't going to remember their first birthday, first birthdays are a big deal. For parents, especially, it's a time to celebrate the survival of the first year, especially if they are first-time parents. A birthday party is also a chance to gather with friends and family and mark the transition from baby to early childhood. That tiny newborn is now, all of a sudden, a toddler!

What things does a 1-year-old need? 

The most important thing anyone can give a 1-year-old is their attention and love. Don’t worry if a fancy, expensive gift isn’t in your budget—spending time with a 1-year-old and working to build a trusted relationship with them is the best gift you can give them (and their parents).

But if you’d like to give a gift, look for items that will help a child grow and develop. We recommend an age-appropriate toy that’s multifunctional, long-lasting, and engaging, or a book that’s simple and full of eye-catching illustrations to inspire a love of reading.

How much should you spend on a gift for a 1-year-old? 

Ultimately, how much you spend on a gift depends on your budget. In general, you can expect to spend anywhere between $20 and $50 for a thoughtful, useful toy or gift. However, there are plenty of great options that fall below this price range, like the World of Eric Carle Board Book Set, which costs $16. There are also lovely gifts that fall above that range, like the Hollow Woodworks Personalized Puzzle Step Stool, which retails for $125.

When deciding how much to spend, also consider your relationship with the parents or caregivers and their needs. Some may request gift-givers to avoid noisy toys, while others may ask for no gifts or a donation to a child’s college fund instead. When in doubt, ask the child’s parents if there is anything specific you can give.

Bridget Shirvell is a Connecticut-based independent journalist. Her work focuses on parenting, food, and the environment and has appeared in Parents, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times , and more. The mom of a 4-year-old, she's always on the lookout for interactive, functional, and sustainable children's products. Before purchasing anything, she always asks: "Is this good for us, the planet, the people who made it?" When considering which items to include on this list, Bridget included many gifts her daughter was given, as well as recommendations from other parents and Parents editors.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lead in consumer products .

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60 Best 5th Grade Books in a Series (for 10 Year Olds)

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If you’re looking for good 5th grade books in a series, these top  middle grade  book series for 10- to 11-year-olds are great for every interest.

Once you get a 5th grader hooked on a series, you will be delighted to watch as they continue reading and reading and reading. Because there’s nothing like a good book series with a kazillion books in it…or every a book series with just a few. Knowing there are MORE books to read makes our 5th grade readers happy. (And the adults that care about their reading lives.)

You’ll find fiction books in all genres, from fantasy books to historical fiction books about World War II. This list includes the Harry Potter series, too. (I included here because the reading level is around 5th grade level.)

See ALL my book recommendations for 10-year-olds, 5th graders,  here .

You Might Also Like: 4th-grade list and 6th-grade list

Go to: BOOK SERIES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALL AGES

Download a printable list for free using this form…

Best 5th Grade Books in a Series for 10-Year-Olds

The Endling: The Last  by Katherine Applegate FANTASY When the evil, conquering human ruler, Murdano, hunts and kills all the large, dog-like Dairne species, Byx is the only one who survives. Hoping to find a safe place and maybe the Dairne’s mythical homeland, Byx sets off on a dangerous, exciting adventure filled with new friends like Tobble, a wobbyk.  I love, love, love this uniquely imagined fantasy world about friendship, differences, betrayal, and family.

The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart  by Stephanie Burgis FANTASY (series) After a food mage turns Aventurine, a dragon, into a human using a magical chocolate drink, she develops a passion for chocolate.  Unrecognized by her dragon clan, Aventurine travels to the nearest city to apprentice herself to a chocolate shop. She’s a brave, adventurous girl who makes her chocolate dreams come true with help from a new friend and kind employers. Will she be as brave when her dragon family attacks the town? Enjoyable from the first page, this fantasy book is a delight to read.

The Ruins of Gorlan: Ranger’s Apprentice  by John A. Flanagan FANTASY Will is apprenticed to become a Ranger, a job he’s unsure about. But as he develops a relationship with his master and learns what being a Ranger is all about (spying for the kingdom), he begins to embrace his new life. When an old enemy of the kingdom sends out dangerous beasts to attack Will’s master, Will is instrumental in getting help and killing the creatures.  Action, fantasy, adventure, friendship, excellent writing  — this book has it all! One of the best 5th grade books in a series, especially for boys.  BOX SET

A Tale of Dark and Grimm   by Adam Gidwitz FANTASY This  book is bloody and macabre and an excellent, imaginative story that weaves Hansel and Gretel with eight more  Grimm fairy tales.  Hansel and Gretel abandon their terrible parents in order to find better ones –ones that won’t try to kill them. The narrator, a strong, quirky voice, warns us of the bloody things to come. While he’s sometimes distracting, for the most part, I liked how his snarky voice kept me from getting too freaked out by the gruesome parts. Once in the wild forest, Hansel transforms into a ravenous, hunter-beast, and Gretel continues on her own.

Dungeon Club Roll Call  by Molly Knox Ostertag, illustrated by Xanthe Bouma REALISTIC  /  GRAPHIC NOVEL 8th grader Olivia and her best friend Jess love the tabletop RPG game  Dungeons and Dragons .  Jess is a loner and only wants one friend Olivia, their Dungeon Master. But when Olivia starts a D&D club, Jess gets mad that Tyler joins. She is mean to him and kills him in the game. (Jess didn’t like Tyler because in 6th grade, to avoid being called gay, he said they were going out.) Jess’s father helps her see the power of friends to fight monsters and she apologizes to Tyler and makes room for more friends in her life. A great life lesson, stunning artwork, a tabletop RPG game, what’s not to love!?

Dealing with Dragons  by Patricia C. Wrede FANTASY  We loved this series so much we read it twice for a  bedtime story !  You’ll love the strong female main character, a princess named Cimorene who doesn’t want to live the typical princess life.  She leaves her home to apprentice herself to a dragon. Just for fun. No prince rescuing involved, thank you very much. Then she must help save her dragon from a group of evil wizards. We LOVE and highly recommend these 5th grade books.  BOX SET

Saving Fable  by Scott Reintgen FANTASY Book lovers — don’t miss this wildly imaginative story about a girl named Indira who has always wanted to be chosen to go to the Protagonist Preparatory, a school for side characters and protagonists  where they hope one of the Brainstormers will introduce them to an author. As we become acquainted with this creative world where (book)Marks and DogEars roam the streets, the story grows into an exciting adventure and puzzling mystery — because someone is using dangerous magic that will damage the world of stories forever. Enchanting and unique.

Wings of Fire  by Tui T. Sutherland FANTASY (series) A group of dragonets who might be the long-awaited dragonets of the prophecy that will end the dragon wars for good leave their protectors’ safety only to be captured by a cruel dragon faction. One thing’s for sure:  when the dragonets are captured, things don’t look good for their safety and future.   One of the most popular 5th grade books.

Gregor the Overlander  by Suzanne Collins FANTASY One minute Gregor and his little sister are in New York City, and the next, they’re in the Underland — where insects and Rats are as large as humans. But all Gregor wants to do is return home…until he learns that his missing father might be in the Underland as a captive of the Rats.  He’s a very good big brother so he makes sure his (darling) toddler sister can go with him before he leaves with a group of human and animal allies to search for his dad. Oh, and he’s meant to fulfill a prophecy, too.

The Adventurers Guild  by Zach Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos FANTASY Zed and Brock don’t want to be chosen for the Adventurers Guild. Nobody does.  Unlike the mages or merchants guild, the adventurers must leave the safety of their walled city to fight the monsters who live on the outside.  Unfortunately, Zed and Brock are picked as Adventurers. And before they can finish training, Zed, Brock, and others are sent on a outside the city fact-finding mission that uncovers treachery, fiendish beasts, and Zed’s untapped magic. Imaginative world-building, intriguing plot twists, and complex characters kept me enthralled from page one!

Chronicles of Narnia   by C. S. Lewis FANTASY I think you already know about these amazing 5th grade books in the Narnia series but if you don’t, they’re absolutely  engaging fantasy adventures  that will hook your kids into reading, especially  The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe .

Warriors  by Erin Hunter FANTASY A house cat discovers wild cats who live in four clans near his house.  He leaves his home to join the ThunderClan and becomes Firepaw, an apprentice warrior. Just in time, too. Because the ShadowClan wants to take their land. Firepaw will be needed to find the traitor and protect his new family. Excellent writing and adventure make this 5th grade book series hard to put down. Boxed set  here . 

Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo FANTASY Charlie Hernández’s house burns down, his parents go missing, and he is sent to a foster home. But it’s when he grows HORNS, the WINGS, and meets the MYTHS in real life — like calacas, mukis, and El Justo Juez — that he’s freaked out. Fortunately, a persistent classmate Violet Rey (also his crush) helps Charlie follow the clues to discover what happened to his parents and if he’s the prophesied Morphling who is meant to save the world. I highly recommend Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo — it’s  immediately engaging with the perfect balance of action, dialogue, & writing.

Skyborn Sparrow Rising  by Jessica Khoury FANTASY Ellie is an orphan Sparrow girl in a world of avian-human caste system who flees the orphanage so she can compete for a coveted spot in the knight training school. She travels with a group of thieves and their friendship and adventures open her eyes to who is actually honorable and heroic. She also discovers that the stolen gargol eye has powerful healing properties.  This fantasy adventure checks all the boxes with a courageous main character and complicated companions, an interesting world, and lots of surprises.

Keeper of the Lost Cities  by Shannon Messenger FANTASY / ADVENTURE I stayed up all night to finish this book –it was fantastic! Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit into her life. And Sophie has a secret—she’s a Telepath, not a human. She must leave the human world for the Elvin world where she’ll face danger from both worlds. Her only hope is to regain the memories of her past.

The Land of Stories   by Chris Colfer FANTASY (series) An addictive series you won’t be able to put down!  Fairy tales  come alive when Alex and Conner (brother and sister) are trapped in the fairy tale world. Their only way home is to find the ingredients for a Wishing Spell. Finding them will be dangerous, mysterious, and life-changing. The characters are memorable, unique, and familiar all at the same time. Kids love these books. (So do I.)  BOX SET HERE.

Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts by Erika Lewis FANTASY Fast-paced with Celtic mythology, read about a foster child attending a magical school and searching for answers about her mysterious heritage.  Kelcie is a foster kid raised in the human world. At the Academy, she discovers that she’s a mistrusted elemental called a Saiga, a mistrusted elemental, and finds friends who help her learn about her unique powers. They’ll also fight the monsters who continue to attack Kelcie. 

Harry Potter series  by J.K. Rowling FANTASY The best-selling children’s book of all time, this is a MUST READ for so many reasons: the brilliant storytelling, a complex and entertaining plot, relatable characters, rich language, essential life lessons about friendship, magic, and bravery, and more. ( See all my reasons for reading Harry Potter. )  Harry Potter gets kids excited about reading; it’s compelling and amazing.  I can’t say enough good things about it!!

Science Fiction

A Wrinkle in Time   by Madeline L’Engle SCI-FI A Wrinkle in Time  is a remarkable, well-written adventure in space  that deals with the overarching theme of good vs. evil. Meg and her brother, Charles Wallace, and friend, Calvin, set off to find her scientist father who disappeared while researching tesseracts. I’ve read this book so many times, I can’t count and every time it’s just as fantastic. Box set  here

Realistic Fiction

All Four Stars  by Tara Dairman REALISTIC Food-enthusiast Gladys is suffering in a house of microwaving parents.  Gladys not only appreciates quality food, but she also loves to cook,  and  wants to be a food critic. (She already has lots of practice writing her daily notes about her parents’ horrid creations.) When a mix-up in a writing contest has the editors of a paper thinking she’s an adult, can she actually write a published newspaper review without letting anyone know she’s only 10-years-old? We LOVE this series!

New Kid   by Jerry Craft REALISTIC This graphic novel is the  Newbery winner for 2020 !  Jordan’s parents make him go to a private school across town where he’s one of the only kids of color.  Besides having the tricky business of navigating friendships, he now must deal with the two separate worlds of his neighborhood and his school along with racism and balancing academics with his artwork. This story feels truthful, relatable, and important.

The Penderwicks   by Jeanne Birdsall REALISTIC The Penderwick family embarks on a  summer vacation  on the estate of Arundel.  It’s a magical time of imaginative play, family time, and a new friend — Jeffrey, the son of the estate owner. I love the unique personalities of all the sisters, their adventures, and the nostalgic feel of the long summer days spent together in play.

The Academy written by TZ Layton If your reader likes soccer, underdogs, and excellent writing, this book will be their new favorite!  Leo is a relatable character from a small town who loves his lizards, video games, and soccer. He’s scouted and invited to the Dragons soccer summer camp with a chance to be in their prestigious academy if he does well. But everyone else in the camp has more experience and training. Even worse, Leo can be lazy so he must confront his bad habits and train extra hard to learn the basics that other players already know. Even still, Leo makes new friends, overcomes a bully, and finds mentors who genuinely care about his success. MESMERIZING & amazing.

Awkward  by Svetlana Chmakova REALISTIC My daughter found this  graphic novel  SO RELATABLE — just like she struggles with confidence and speaking up, so does the main character, Peppi.  This well-done graphic novel tackles the issues of friendships and confidence , among other things.

Ghost  by Jason Reynolds REALISTIC Ghost accidentally gets on a track team and it’s life-changing.  His coach becomes a mentor and father figure who pushes Ghost to take responsibility for his mistakes (stealing sneakers) and to start dealing with the ghosts of his past. Well-written and hopeful about growing up and growing into yourself.

Out of My Mind  by Sharon M. Draper REALISTIC Just because Melody can’t walk or talk due to cerebral palsy doesn’t mean she isn’t smart — and she is smart! She’s just sick of people thinking she’s dumb and wants out of the trap of her mind. She finds a way to communicate but is still treated poorly by her peers. Realistic, sometimes very painful, and important for everyone to read.  GREAT  class  book or book club  book.

Smile  by Raina Telgemeier REALISTIC / GRAPHIC NOVEL Raina shares her growing up stories with humor and amazing art in her memoir books:  Smile, Sisters,  and  Drama . My 10-year-old daughter read  Sisters  four times the first week she owned it – they’re excellent books and quite addictive. Boxed set  here .

The Crossover  by Kwame Alexander REALISTIC / VERSE Because this is written in  verse , this is a fast read but packs a big punch.  Basketball  player and twin Josh narrates his life in quarters, just like the game he plays. He writes about missing his twin when his twin, Jordan, gets a girlfriend; about getting in trouble when he hits Jordan in the face with a basketball; and about watching his father as his heart fails. This is a coming-of-age, gripping story about a boy who is just trying to figure out who he is.

Front Desk  by Kelly Yang REALISTIC Mia and her parents have struggled ever since moving to America from China. When her parents take a new live-in job at a motel, they end up working around the clock for very little pay. Mia helps out by working at the front desk. She befriends the weekly tenants and uses her English skills to write letters advocating for other people in tough spots.  This book is more than a memorable coming-of-age immigrant story, it’s also an important novel about tolerance and diversity.  6th graders will love the writing, the characters, the plot, and the messages of inclusion and determination.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street  by Karina Yan Glaser REALISTIC Like The Penderwicks, you’ll fall in love with this quirky, wonderful family from the first page. The Vanderbeekers’ landlord wants them out by the end of December but the Vanderbeeker kids are determined to change his mind, even though he hates noise, kids, and their family. But it’s almost Christmas and their efforts are only making things worse. What will they do?  Charming and heart-warming.

The One and Only Ivan  by Katherine Applegate REALISTIC Narrated by a gorilla named Ivan, this story about friendship, love, and compassion grabs your heart immediately.  Making it even more compelling, it’s  true ! Ivan is kept in a cage in a run-down mall for 27 years without seeing another gorilla. He’s friends with the stray dog named Bob, a full-grown elephant named Stella, and Ruby, a newly purchased baby elephant. When Stella begs Ivan to make sure Ruby doesn’t grow old in their cages, Ivan finds his courage.

The Friendship Code #1 Girls Who Code  by Stacia Deutsch REALISTIC Lucy joins a  coding club so she can make an app  for her uncle to remember his medications. But the class is moving TOO slow. Then, a mysterious letter arrives on her locker with instructions in code. The subsequent messages in code put her back in touch with old friends and help her build a new friendship. Whoever is sending messages is teaching Lucy and her friends about input/output, conditionals, loops, and variables.  To solve the mystery, the girls decide to write their own code…

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer  by Kelly Jones, illustrations by Katie Kath MAGICAL REALISM We loved this 5th grade book series. The book is written as letters from a girl named Sophie, who is newly living at the farm of her deceased great-uncle Jim. She writes to her dead abuelita, her dead great-uncle Jim, and Agnes of the Extraordinary Chickens catalog. While her parents are figuring out their new lives, Sophie figures out the farm. Specifically, the  magical chickens who seem to have telekinesis, invisibility, and carnivorous chicks . But a neighbor chicken thief is also interested in Jim’s chickens, too — and Sophie must stop her. Exceptional writing, characterization, and plot.

Wonder  by R. J. Palacio REALISTIC Wonder   helps us see compassion, empathy, and acceptance from a variety of character’s points of view.  Auggie, a boy with a facial difference, starts public school for the first time in 5th grade. His experience, though often difficult, shows his inner strength. This beautiful story shows that kindness wins over bullying.

Framed! A T.O.A.S.T. Mystery  by James Ponti MYSTERY Captivating from the first page, 12- year old Florian Bates uses his brilliant, observing brain to implement T.O.A.S.T. (the Theory of All Small Things) to notice things that others have missed.  Including the FBI when there’s an art heist at the museum his mother works at. The FBI hires him to help unravel a mysterious art heist which he does with the help of his best friend, Margaret. Fast-paced and interesting.,

The Magic Misfits  by Neil Patrick Harris and Alec Azam, illustrated by Lissy Marlin and Kyle Hilton MYSTERY Carter’s had a rough life, even now after he runs away from his crook of an uncle and lands in a New England town. There he encounters unsavory carnival people who remind him of his uncle. At the town’s magic shop, Carter meets a young girl and her fathers who love magic just like him.  He and his new kid friends set out to thwart the carnie’s plot to steal the world’s biggest diamond.  And maybe in the process, his luck will turn around. Through the book are ciphers, codes, and tricks giving this already delightful story extra oomph.

Winterhouse  by Ben Guterson, illustrated by Chloe Bristol MYSTERY Elizabeth, an orphan, is unexpectedly sent to a large, stately hotel with a kind, grandfatherly proprietor for Christmas vacation. There,  she discovers a magical book, a sinister couple, a family mystery, and a new friend who loves puzzles as much as she does.  The writing is mesmerizing, the mystery fascinating, and the characters, enchanting. This is a delightful, atmospheric read.

Eddie Red Undercover Mystery in Mayan Mexico  by Marcia Wells MYSTERY Eddie, his best friend Jonah, and his parents are on vacation in Mexico.  When Eddie’s dad becomes the primary suspect in the theft of a stolen Mayan mask, Eddie and Jonah decide to solve the mystery themselves.  Only they don’t speak Spanish very well and there’s more to this mystery than just a stolen mask. You’ll love the Spanish words throughout, the well-paced action, and the characters.

Girl’s Best Friend (A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery)  by Leslie Margolis MYSTERY Maggie loves walking dogs in her neighborhood (even though her parents don’t know) so when dogs go missing, she knows she must find the culprit.  The clues lead her to suspect her friend and secret crush, Milo. Maggie’s determined to solve the case but what if she doesn’t like what she finds?

The Worst Class Trip Ever  by Dave Barry HUMOR While on a class trip to Washington D.C., Wyatt and his best friend, Matt, are positive they’ve discovered a plot to blow up the White House.  Wyatt’s crush, Suzanna, helps the friends make a plan, and as you can imagine, disaster and hilarity strike. I totally loved this book and know your kids (especially those who like humor) will as well.

Belly Up  by Stuart Gibbs MYSTERY / HUMOR Was the FunJungle’s hippo murdered? Teddy and Summer think so. M ystery, adventure, and humor will keep your readers on the edge of their seats  in this unique story with quirky characters perfect for 10-year-old readers.

Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret  by Trudi Trueit ADVENTURE This is National Geographic’s first fictional book series with full-color illustrations that hits the spot with an exciting mix of science, technology, adventure, and mystery.  Newly accepted into the prestigious  Explorer Academy  for science and exploration, Cruz realizes that someone is trying to kill him; someone who doesn’t want him finding out about his mother’s mysterious research and untimely death.  You’ll love the cool tech, amazing friendships, plot twists, and the intriguing premise.

The Unforgettable Logan Foster  by Shawn Peters Logan is an amazing, neurodivergent main character orphan who lives at a new foster home.  Logan and his neighbor, a super cool older girl named Elena, discover that his foster parents are lying and they’re superheroes.  But when that revelation sinks in, Logan’s foster parents are double-crossed and captured. In an exciting, fast-paced adventure, Logan and Elena use his wits and her strength to save his foster parents and other supes from the villains and the traitor.

Minecraft: The Island (An Official Minecraft Novel Book 1)  by Max Brooks Reader recommended! In this first adventure, Z is stranded on an island in Minecraft and must unravel its secrets in order to survive. *** GET ALL 9  OF THE MINECRAFT BOOKS IN THE SERIES HERE.

Treasure Hunters  by James Petterson and Chris Grabenstein, illustrated by Juliana Neufeld ADVENTURE (series) The life of the four Kidd siblings isn’t typical —  they live on a boat, and their parents are treasure hunters . Unfortunately, not only is their mom missing but their father went overboard in a bad storm. Now they’re on their own and need money to survive. The only way they know is to find a treasure and sell it. But danger is around every wave; they’re not sure who to trust. This is a fast, action-packed adventure that sets the tone for more books to come.

Choose Your Own Adventure 4-Book Boxed Set  by R.A. Montgomery Get a box set of four bestselling titles from the classic  choose your own adventure  series! Young readers still love these books!

City Spies  by James Ponti ADVENTURE When Sara, a foster kid and hacker, gets in trouble again, her new so-called lawyer recruits her to be an MI6 spy.  Sara joins a team of other kids, trains quickly, and is immediately sent undercover to break open a big case in Paris. I don’t want to spoil anything but I predict you’ll  love every second of this action-packed story! It’s filled with great characters and an interesting twisty plot.  You won’t be able to put this book series down.

Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation  by Stuart Gibb ADVENTURE The CIA asks a super genius 12-year-old girl named Charlie to help find the missing and dangerous “Pandora” theory of Einstein’s.  You will fall in love with Charlie—she’s a creative thinker and a survivor who, despite all her knowledge still can act like a child yet also outwit bad guys in amazing ways. Terrorists, Moussed, cross-world travel, and mathematical clues combine with excellent writing to make the perfect action-adventure spy 5th grade book.

Historical Fiction

Dactyl Hill Squad  by Daniel Jose Older HISTORICAL FICTION (+ FANTASY) Take a thrilling ride through Civil War history — with DINOSAURS!  In this exciting adventure with diversity, slavers kidnap most of the orphans in NYC’s Colored Orphan Asylum but the small group of kids that escapes to join with the Vigilance Committee to fight back and rescue their kidnapped friends.

Lost in the Pacific, 1942: Not a Drop to Drink  by Tod Olson HISTORICAL Lost  is a riveting retelling of  a soldiers’ plane crash followed by  weeks  of thirst and starvation  in the perilous South Seas on precarious lifeboats. The fast-paced writing moves the story along with purpose and the photographic evidence is fascinating. 10-year old readers will be hard-pressed to put this intense true story down. (Next in the series:  Lost in Outer Space: The Incredible Journey of Apollo 13 .)

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Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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Would love this in a printable list like the other grade levels…

Whoops, not sure how I missed this grade level. Will get it done today!

Here you go — https://imaginationsoup.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/5th-Grade-Book-Series.pdf .

I’d add the Gregor the Overlander series too, by Suzanne Collins.

YES, thank you! I just listened to it on audiobook and loved it so much. Thank you for reminding me. (I only added it to audiobooks.) I’m going to blame all my cognitive issues on the concussion. LOL.

Is there a printable list for 5th grade book series? I love your recommendations. They stay up to date. Thanks,

Apparently, I totally skipped making a 5th grade printable for some reason but I will make one today.

What is the 'best' children's book? Kids, parents and authors on why some rise to the top

What was your favorite book as a kid?

That question makes for a surprisingly effective icebreaker. You can tell a lot about someone from the books they read as a child. Case in point: I’m a journalist, a talker, a storyteller. Many of my childhood favorites had equally yappy and imaginative characters – “Junie B. Jones” by Barbara Park, “Olivia” by Ian Falconer, “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” by Kevin Henkes.

The stories we read at bedtime seldom stay there . Here’s what parents, booksellers, authors and – most importantly – kids told me about what makes the best children’s book.

What makes the best children’s book?

Reading is subjective, of course. But in the quest for the “best” children’s books, parents should look out for a story that’s as entertaining to them as it is to their kids. 

Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist

“The secret to a really successful picture book is a picture book that both the parent and child can each enjoy on their own level,” says Peter Glassman, the owner of children’s bookstore “Books of Wonder” in New York City.

At a minimum, you have to make sure it’s a book you’re willing to read over and over.

“Sometimes I view children’s book authors as parenting partners where they’re like ‘This book is for the kid, but I’m going to make sure there’s a joke in here for you,'" said Tocarra Mallard , a TV writer from New York and a mother of two who makes TikToks about children’s books.

A good children’s book may teach kids about colors or numbers, but the best children's books can give them a voice to process and experience emotions.

In “The Pout-Pout Fish” by Deborah Diesen, a favorite in Mallard’s house, an act of acceptance helps turn a frown upside down. It has a silly, catchy rhyme that makes her 2-year-old laugh , but also a lesson for her 5-year-old that it's OK to feel blue sometimes. Kids aren't just kids – they're small people who live in a world that can foster anxiety, depression and other complicated feelings," Mallard says.

“For us to pretend that children (exist in) light and love and goodness at all times is denying them their humanity,” she says.

In their words: Kids tell us what makes a good book

Sometimes, finding the “best” book for your kid is just about knowing your kid. Some children want a picture-heavy book while others, like Mallard's son, who is autistic and hyperlexic, need a strong story with lots of words.

I spent the day at “Books of Wonder” earlier this spring to ask kids what makes the best children’s book.

Iago and Nico Akerman, both 11, told me the books they liked reading in school were about human history, how money works and agriculture in Latin America. Reading is a tool for the brothers to help decode the world around them.

Valerie Song, 8, also loves to learn through reading. It “helps your brain grow,” she told me. 

She’s drawn to series because she’s a speed reader – and they help her feel connected to characters. Valerie was reading the last "Harry Potter" book when we spoke. Fantasy books can help you “go anywhere you want,” she said. As for everyday adventures, “I get enough of that in real life,” she reported. 

Frog and Toad are everywhere: How 50-year-old children's characters became Gen Z icons

What makes an award-winning children’s book?

A captivating story is the foundation for an award-winning book, says Shannon DeVito, the senior director of books at Barnes & Noble, which hosts an annual “Children’s and YA Book Awards.” Witty characters and dynamic illustrations aren’t powerful if there isn’t a story that inspires young readers to keep reading, she says.

But beyond that, a book should have characters or lessons that young readers can identify with. Last year’s overall winner was “ The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels ” by Beth Lincoln, a chapter book with a vibrant cast of characters. This year’s winner, “ A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits ) ” by Lisa Yee, is described by Barnes & Noble as a book for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.

One pair of young sisters I spoke to at Books of Wonder, 3-year-old Azadeh and 5-year-old Arya Hashemi-Sohi, love “Saffron Ice Cream” by Rashin Kheiriyeh because one of the characters is named Azadeh. The sisters are half Persian, so their mom, Jeunelle Cunningham, told me they keep an eye out for books with Persian characters.

Glassman has been a bookseller for decades and says it excites him to see different childhood experiences represented in books.

“ Max and the House of Spies” by Adam Gidwitz , for example, is a story he wished he had growing up. It follows a Jewish boy living in London after leaving Germany during World War II. Max has red hair and freckles, just as Glassman did when he was growing up. 

Children’s books have gotten more diverse, both in the authors and the characters they write. A 2022 breakdown from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center noted 40% of books published in 2022 and received by the CCBC were by authors of color. On the other hand, an analysis of award-winning children’s books showed white characters are overrepresented .

“A good book that talks about modern culture, (and has a) diverse cast of characters is better than something that doesn’t,” DeVito says.

How to write a children’s book

Author Dan Gutman knows a thing or two about writing successful children’s books. His “My Weird School” books have sold over 35 million copies and he published the series’ 100th book earlier this year.

His secret sauce? Target the kids who don’t like to read. He focuses on short chapters and paragraphs, a linear, easy-to-follow storyline and, his personal favorite, “grown-ups doing dumb things.”

“I wasn’t a big reader myself, I relate really well to kids, especially boys, who don’t like to read,” Gutman says. “My goal is that that kid will open up one of my books and an hour later look up and think ‘Wow, that didn’t even feel like I was reading. I felt like I was watching a movie in my head.’”

That feeling is what Glassman looks for in a book as well. “I go to a book not to be impressed with someone’s writing – which sometimes I am – but I go to a book for the story. I love story, that is my great love,” he says.

The Best Kids' Movies Coming Out in 2024

Whether you're heading to the theater or staying home ands streaming, these movies will be a hit with families.

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When we look at what's been slated so far, these are the best kids' movies coming out in 2024, listed in order of their release. As usual, we have a bunch of sequels — and even a couple of part-fours! — that return to check in with some favorite characters. There are a few exciting book adaptions, set to transform the works of classic kids' book authors like Crockett Johnson or Barbara Robinson. Most of these are coming to theaters for a fun, big-screen outing, but a few are slated to go straight to streaming services (and those are the ones that are usually announced at the last minute, so there's sure to be more in the future). Check the list, put your favorites in the calendar, and then get ready for some fun movie outings.

Release Date: January 12, 2024

Wait a minute, didn't this one come out already? Sure it did, and you can watch it on Disney+, but Disney is re-releasing into theaters three Pixar movies that went straight-to-streaming during the worst of the pandemic. If you dig the visuals of the Great Before, you can see them on the big screen.

Orion and the Dark

Release Date: February 2, 2024

Orion has a great many fears — but he's especially afraid of the dark. So you can imagine his surprise when an embodiment of the dark shows up to take him on an adventure to show him there's nothing to be afraid of. The Netflix movie is based on a book by Emma Yarlett , but the script was written by someone who knows a thing or two about writing movies about anxieties: Being John Malkovich and Adaptation writer Charlie Kaufman.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

The Tiger's Apprentice

A Chinese-American teenager named Tom unexpectedly learns that he's part of a force called The Guardians — and he must train to take on an evil entity that's bent on destroying humanity. (No pressure, right?) This Paramount+ animated original features performances by Henry Golding, Brandon Soo Hoo, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh and Michelle Yeoh.

Peppa's Cinema Party

Release Date: February 9, 2024

Everyone's favorite pig from across the pond is headed for the big screen! The Peppa Pig cinema experience includes some never-before-seen episodes, five new songs and interactive moments that encourage kids to get up and dance or sing.

WATCH TRAILER

Turning Red

You haven't seen a giant red panda until you've seen it on the big screen. For its second Pixar re-release, Disney has chosen Turning Red , about a 13-year-old who turns into a furry creature whenever she feels extreme emotions. Now, how often does that happen to a new teenager?

WATCH ON PRIME VIDEO WATCH ON DISNEY+

Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin

Release Date: February 12, 2024

Not a full feature, but Peanuts fans will delight in a brand-new special on Apple TV+. This one focuses on Franklin, who, as part of a military family, moves around a lot. When he finds letters from his grandfather, he gets advice about making friends.

WATCH ON APPLE TV+

Kung Fu Panda 4

Release Date: March 8, 2024

Jack Black (aka the voice of Bowser in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie ) returns for another go-round as Po, the unlikely "Dragon Warrior." When he faces a villain that can absorb powers of enemies past, Po will be challenged like never before.

WATCH ON PRIME VIDEO WATCH ON APPLE TV

Release Date: March 22, 2024

Before there was "We Don't Talk About Bruno," there was Luca 's "Silencio, Bruno!" The third Pixar re-release of the year follows a couple of normal-seeming boys in Italy who just want to get a Vespa of their own. But one of them is hiding a big secret.

The Casagrandes Movie

This is a feature length movie based on Nickelodeon's The Casagrandes , a spin-off of The Loud House . This time, 12-year-old Ronnie Anne causes mayhem on a family vacation to Mexico when she accidentally frees a demigod.

Release Date: March 26, 2024

A teenager has a rough time moving from sunny southern California to snowy Montana — until he adopts a dog that can snowboard. This one is going direct to streaming.

Chicken for Linda!

Release Date: April 5, 2024

In French with subtitles and with a heavy emotional core, Chicken for Linda might not be for every family, but Variety said it, "gets mother-daughter bonds better than most live-action movies." In it, a daughter, grieving the death of her father, tells her mom she wants to eat his famous chicken dish. The mom promises to make it for her, but circumstances make it harder than it should be (they can't buy chicken during a strike, for example), which sends them off on a wild adventure.

Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp

Release Date: April 12, 2024

This Netflix movie follows Woody Woodpecker as he gets kicked out of the forest and finds a new home in Camp Woo Woo. So when an inspector threatens to shut down the camp, Woody vows to save it.

The Barkers: Mind the Cats

Release Date: April 30, 2024

Kid Barker feels lonely and left out when his two older siblings are too busy to play with him. When two mischievous cats steal the family's jet pack, though, they'll need Kid's help to get it back. The movie is based on the characters from the 2011 The Barkers TV series, and will go straight to streaming

Star Wars Ep. I: The Phantom Menace

Release Date: May 3, 2024

In honor of the film's 25th anniversary, The Phantom Menace will see a theatrical re-release just in time for May the Fourth . Kids who were too little or not born in time to see Jar Jar on the big screen will finally have their shot.

Release Date: May 17, 2024

When they realize a tween named Bea has the power to see imaginary friends that have been forgotten by their children, Calvin (played by Ryan Reynolds), Blossom (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and Blue (Steve Carrell) team up with her to see if they can find IFs new children. The Office and A Quiet Place 's John Krasinski directs.

Thelma the Unicorn

Thelma the Pony has always dreamed of stardom, and her wish is granted when she is transformed into Thelma the Unicorn — but is fame all it's cracked up to be? Alabama Shakes singer Brittany Howard provides the voice of Thelma in a Netflix film based on the book by Bad Guys author Aaron Blabey. It's also directed by a pair who knows a thing or two about lovable outsiders and/or outsize fabulousness: Jared Hess (director of Napoleon Dynamite ) and Lynn Wang (of Unikitty ).

The Garfield Movie

Release Date: May 24, 2024

We know of Garfield as a lazy, pampered, lasagna-eating cat who mostly sits around the house. In this movie, things change when Garfield is reunited with his father, a scruffy outdoor cat, and goes on an adventure. Chris Pratt is the voice of Garfield, and Samuel L. Jackson plays the father.

Robot Dreams

Release Date: May 31, 2024

This film, based on the comic by Sara Varon , is just coming off its Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. (It lost to The Boy and the Heron .) It's about an anthropomorphic dog who, suffering from loneliness, orders a robot to be his friend. The near wordlessness and pervasive melancholy gives the impression that it's not exactly aimed at kids, but the older ones might get into it.

Too Old for Fairy Tales 2

Release Date: June 1, 2024

The sequel to Netflix's Too Old for Fairy Tales , this Polish film follows the travails of a 10-year-old esports player and the two other members on his team. This time, our hero journeys to find the father he's never met.

Inside Out 2

Release Date: June 14, 2024

Pixar returns to the life of the mind with a sequel t0 2015's Inside Out . Only this time, some new emotions are joining the crew — including Anxiety, Ennui, Embarrassment and Envy — who threaten to upend the equilibrium. Amy Poehler returns as the voice of Joy.

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25 of the Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds

W hen it comes to selecting toys for 2-year-olds, you might find yourself wondering what will keep a kiddo who is in the prime of their toddlerhood engaged and interested. Narrowing down the best of the best toys for ever-curious, constantly-growing tiny humans can be daunting. Especially when those little humans tend to be interested in anything and everything. To simplify your search, we’re sharing 25 of our favorite toys for 2-year-olds. We think these are some of the best toddler toys out there.

5 Montessori Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Montessori toys are designed with open-ended, independent play in mind. They’re an excellent tool for encouraging 2-year-olds to build real-life skills while promoting creative thinking and problem-solving. Here are our favorite Montessori toys for 2-year-olds.

1. Lovevery Block Set

This beautiful, high-quality block set has everything your 2-year-old could need to build, sort, and thread, among other possibilities. Featuring a solid wood design and vibrant rainbow colors, it comes with 70 blocks plus additional tools, a storage bag and storage box, and an activity guide. Perfect for building spatial, language, and problem-solving skills .

2. Melissa & Doug Let’s Play House Dust! Sweep! Mop! Toy Cleaning Set

There’s no doubt that 2-year-olds love to help and be involved in important tasks. This realistic pretend play cleaning set includes a wooden broom, mop, and duster, as well as a dustpan, brush, and organizing stand. It’ll build toddlers’ confidence and sense of responsibility as they practice coordination, fine motor skills, and everyday chores .

3. Wobble/Balance Board

A wobble balance board is an irresistible, multipurpose toy for 2-year-olds. It stimulates the vestibular system, promotes balance and coordination, and can be used for wobbling, lounging, climbing, etc. This one is made from heirloom quality wood and supports up to 480 pounds, making it possible for everyone in the family to enjoy the fun.

4. Ramp Race Track

A car ramp racer allows kiddos to explore motion, direction, and cause and effect while practicing focusing and enjoying imaginative play . This ramp racer features five levels and comes with four wooden cars and two balls in primary colors. It’s made from durable, child-friendly wood, so it’s practical and aesthetically pleasing.

5. Hape Counting Stacker

This counting stacker allows children to practice counting to 10, basic color recognition, and fine motor development through stacking. It includes red, yellow, orange, blue, and green wooden stacking blocks and a stacking stand — all made from child-safe, non-toxic materials. An excellent activity for your 2-year-old’s playroom or the kitchen table.

4 Climbing Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Toddlers are busy people. They’re constantly on the go, exploring their surroundings and testing physical limits and boundaries. If you have a 2-year-old at home, you’ll want to invest in safe, toddler-approved climbing toys made to support gross motor development and foster independence . Here are some of our favorites.

1. Lily & River Little Climber XL

This top-rated Pikler Triangle is built for ages 2-8. It’s perfect for strengthening your little climber’s self-confidence, balance, gross motor skills, muscle growth, and creative /strategy play. This climber is made from natural birch and premium bamboo, durable enough for years. For added climbing fun, you can choose to add on a reversible ladder/slide or reversible rockwall/slide.

2. Lily & River Little Dome

Another beautifully-made toy from Lily & River, this climbing dome allows kiddos to climb, hang, and play to their heart’s desire. With a bit of imagination , it can become a mountain, cave, or monkey bar set. Choose from natural, white-sealed, rainbow-sealed, or other bold color finishes. For additional peace of mind, you can add on beautiful safety mat sets.

3. Avenlur Magnolia Indoor Playground

If you really want to take your playroom up a notch for your 2-year-old, an indoor playground is the way to go. Avenlur’s Magnolia Indoor Playground is a seven-in-one jungle gym featuring a slide, a climbing wall, a rope wall climber, monkey bars, a swing, and ladder climbers. It will provide hours of fun while seamlessly supporting gross motor development.

4. The Original Nugget Play Couch

A fan favorite for many reasons! The Nugget consists of four foam pieces (a base, a cushion, and two triangles) and can be set up in many configurations. The options for play, climbing, crashing, and lounging are endless here. It comes in various appealing colors and fabrics, including microsuede, double-brushed, and corduroy, and it is Greenguard Gold Certified to ensure all materials are child-safe. We think it’s worth the investment over competing play couches.

5 Outdoor Toys for 2-Year-Olds

What 2-year-old doesn’t love being outside ? When given the choice, we’re willing to bet most toddlers would gladly choose the outdoors over being cooped up inside. Sometimes, you just need a toddler-approved outdoor toy or two to make backyard playtime favorable for everyone in the family. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table

A little bit of water play can reset almost any toddler’s day. That’s why a water table is a must for every 2-year-old. This one boasts 13 fun accessories, including maze-like spinners, ramps, and buckets, as well as a waterfall tray for a fun rainfall effect. Age-appropriate STEM play has never been easier to come by.

2. Little Tikes Easy Score Soccer Set

Group sports like soccer are an excellent way to build social skills , cooperation, and focus. Not to mention gross motor skills. Whether or not your tiny tot is on a team, this soccer set will quickly become a family favorite. It includes an easy-to-assemble kid-sized net, ball, and air pump.

3. Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set

Another must-have Little Tikes outdoor (or indoor) toy, this basketball set includes an adjustable basketball hoop and stand and three small soft basketballs. It features an oversized rim for simpler scoring (and increased confidence). Plus, you can choose from six heights — so it’ll grow with your kiddo.

4. Little Tikes First Slide

A go-to beginner’s slide! This one is suitable for use inside or out, folds up for easy storage, and doesn’t require any tools for setup. It promotes balance, fitness, and coordination — not to mention fun for your 2-year-old (or any child up to 60 pounds).

5. Step2 Naturally Playful Sand Table

Digging in sand (and dirt) is a rite of passage for toddlers, right? With a solid sand table, your kiddo can enjoy hours of structured sensory play — without all the mess. This one is raised to a height just right for standing and can hold up to 80 pounds of sand, soil, or any other sensory material. It comes with five accessories. It also features molded-in roadways on the lid, which can be used as a race track when covered.

3 Ride-On Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Being a toddler means constantly being on the move. In particular, 2-year-olds never seem to slow down. Because of this, ride-on toys are a must at this age. Here are some we think your child will love to take a spin on.

1. Step2 Up and Down Roller Coaster Toy for Kids

This kid’s roller coaster will bring the action into your home (or yard) with its 9-foot track and ATV-inspired car. It features a high back, a handrail, and footrests for maximum comfort and easily comes apart for convenient storage. While the included steps are helpful for the youngest riders, the coaster holds children up to 50 pounds.

2. Disney My First Minnie Plane

This ride-on plane is for toddlers 1-3 years old, so it’s just right for 2-year-olds. It features rotating propellers with alternating light-up patterns, 360-degree steering ability, realistic lift-off and landing sounds, and a steering wheel and honking horn. It doesn’t get much more adorable.

3. Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Ice Cream Truck

A reimagined take on the iconic Little Tikes Cozy Coupe! Mom or Dad can push this ice cream truck ride-on car, or your toddler can do it themselves with its detachable floorboard. It comes loaded with fun accessories and specs, including play ice cream cones, a credit card reader, and even an ice cream cone speaker that plays modern ice cream truck music.

5 Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Toddler toys come in all forms. When they’re intended to be equal parts fun and educational, you can’t lose. Check out our favorite learning-inspired toys for 2-year-olds.

1. Learning Resources Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set

This 30-piece color sorting set aims to develop color recognition and sorting skills. It offers realistic-looking red, orange, yellow, purple, and green fruits and vegetables, as well as five sorting baskets with labels and an activity guide. It’s an excellent toy for pretend play, language development , and vocabulary acquisition .

2. VTech Alphabet Apple

This learning toy introduces not only the alphabet but phonics, words, time concepts, music, and more — so it’ll easily grow with your child as they develop new skills. Apart from featuring the obvious (all 26 letters and sounds), it boasts 29 songs and melodies. We also love this pick’s carry handle.

3. Melissa & Doug Shapes Wooden Chunky Puzzle

Melissa & Doug offers a wide choice of wooden puzzles for toddlers. When it comes to learning shapes, this one is a must. With its eight chunky, easy-to-manipulate pieces (circle, square, diamond, rectangle, triangle, heart, star, and oval) and bright colors, your kiddo won’t even realize they’re learning.

4. Melissa & Doug Rainbow Caterpillar Gear Toy

Color recognition is an important skill for children to work toward in toddlerhood. This gear toy offers plenty of opportunities for color learning and reinforcement. It also promotes hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. It’s a simple pick to occupy and engage your 2-year-old.

5. Learning Resources Primary Science Sensory Tubes

These sensory tubes are highly versatile and made to encourage science exploration, curiosity, and development of the senses. The four durable tubes have dual openings with two solid lids for each, and you can fill and refill them with your choice of objects. The kit includes four vented lids for exploring smells.

3 Other Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Whether you’re shopping for toys for toddler boys or girls, we could go on and on with exceptional options for 2-year-olds. Here are a few more of our favorite picks for this age. You won’t want to miss out on any of them.

1. Turtle Balance Stepping Stones

Honing coordination and balance is an important everyday task for 2-year-olds. These bright-colored, non-slip stepping stones are an incredible tool for doing just that. They’re durable (supporting up to 265 pounds each), stackable for quick storage, and perfect for creating endless obstacle courses. Plus, your toddler can use them indoors or outside. These will be an instant hit for your kiddo.

2. Hape Play Kitchen

A play kitchen is a wonderful addition to any child’s room. This one will surely promote creative thinking , imagination , and real-life skills practice all at once. It features a realistic-looking sink, stove, oven, cabinet, and spice shelf, as well as clickable, turnable knobs.

3. Green Toys Construction Trucks

This set of three toddler-sized construction trucks is an excellent pick for any car-, truck-, or construction-loving 2-year-old. The trucks are made from 100% recycled plastic and meet all international safety standards. You can’t go wrong with anything from Green Toys, as these items are ideal for indoor or outdoor use and can help develop imagination, motor skills, pretend play, language, and cause-and-effect reasoning. They’re even dishwasher-safe.

Toddlers aren’t always picky with their toys, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be. If you’re not selective, toddler toys can end up taking up a lot of space and sitting idle. Quality and longevity are essential when shopping for toys for a 2-year-old. We think you’ll love the items we’ve recommended here!

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