What are the best baby books to have?

Ok, I’ll admit it: board books for babies are everywhere and how are we supposed to find the good ones? Well, I’ve read just about every board book out there (ok that’s a hyperbole) and I’m so happy to share the best baby books out there.

RELATED: Looking for more gift ideas for baby? Check out this list of baby toys!

What are the best books for babies?

For me, the best books for babies are the books that book baby AND parents love reading.

AND books that will grow with our babies and ones they will want to keep reading as toddlers and preschoolers.

We want to instill a love of reading and make a language rich environment for our babies. Books gives us a chance to use language we might not be using in our normal day to day life – meaning it’s a chance for our kids to hear new words.

RELATED: Need some book ideas for big kids too? I’ve got a list for that too!

Check out my list of favorite board books

You know I love a good baby book moment and board books will always have a place in my old-mom heart.

My kids and I have loved all the books on this list – I’m sure you’ll love them too.

The best part about these books: kids keep loving them for years down the road.

RELATED: Have you seen my Best Toys for Kids list? It’s full of all the best toys.

The 15+ best baby books (that they’ll still love for years)

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The Runaway Bunny

Margaret Wise Brown will always be better known for Goodnight Moon, but this will always be my favorite book she wrote. And I will always be my Mom’s little bunny.

Sheep in a Jeep

It’s rhyming, it’s funny, the sheep take a jeep on a joy ride. What could go wrong?

Jamberry

One of the more fun rhyming books to read – that’s why I like this one for babies AND adults.

Pat the Bunny

Oh this old classic should never go the way side – Judy and Paul do so many fun things in this ahead of its time interactive book.

Joshua’s Night Whispers

I used to read this to my first graders to teach them ellipses… and then it became a favorite when I had my own kids.

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear

A first person narrative and so much suspense – as kids get older, they’ll find the humor in this book.

Mama, Do You Love Me?

An absolute classic that tells the story of how deep a parents love is.

Llama Llama Red Pajama

There’s a reason this book makes everyone’s board book list – it’s just that good!

I Love You, Stinky Face

The book that proves even in fictional bedtime land, kids still ask a million questions…

Little Blue Truck

Beep Beep Beep said Little Blue! Trust me, this rhyming book full of animal sounds is a home library must.

Little Red Barn

A lift the flap book BUT this book has the toughest flaps. They stand the test of time… and the little story is so sweet too.

My Family, Your Family

A beautiful book representing so many families and families structures- showing so simply how different families can look, but how the love is the same.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

A book all about sequence: this paves the way for understanding first, next, and last.

The Going To Bed Book

It’s a fast read because the rhyme makes it almost musical sounding. A perfect before bed book.

Hugs & Kisses

Babies and toddlers are drawn to faces and this book made of real-life photos is perfect.

The Napping House

A sequence and pattern book – this one grows with kids so well.

Piggies

I’ve read this 1000 times and still see something new every time I read it. That is NOT a hyperbole.

The Peas Say Please

Table manners were never so much fun until they made this silly book. A favorite of my third born so I had to include it for him.

Open the Barn Door

I ended up buying a new copy of this for each baby I had. Worth it.

Good Night, Gorilla

There’s no words so you have to make up the narrative for this book…PS: have fun trying to find the balloon on every page.

I love a good board book for baby and this list has all my favorites…

And the best part is, kids will age up with these books. They’ll still be favorites long after they’ve started riding the school bus.

What are your best baby books?