One of the best things your baby will discover about this world is it has BOOKS, mountains after mountains of them! However, every book worm’s journey must start somewhere.
Here are 10 books on our list to help you begin building up that library. They are great for leading your little one into the wonderful world of colours, textures and words, and allowing you to cuddle up with them for some quality story time.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin Jr., Eric Carle
This is a 28-page board book that introduces a new animal each time you flip open a new page. Its tissue paper texture and easy-to-learn rhymes make it an ideal first book for your baby. The animals are brightly coloured, and due to the repetitive and rhythmic nature of the text, it can easily keep your little one’s attention. It also helps to train their memory as they listen or read the “what do you see?” questions and tries to remember what animal is on the next page.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
This is an all-time classic book sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds! Translated into over 20 languages and loved by generations of children all around the world, this caterpillar should certainly gain a spot on your baby’s book shelf. The caterpillar’s story combines facts, such as how it changes from an egg to a butterfly, with fiction, such as all the cake, ice cream and lollipop it eats through. It’s informative but at the same time very funny. The colourful and child-like drawing style is sure to be a hit with your little one.
Guess How Much I Love You
by Sam McBratney, Antia Jeram
Little Nutbrown Hare and his daddy Big Nutbrown Hare are just about the loveliest pair of father and son you can find. This is an endearing book about the love between a parent and a child, illustrated through the story about a father hare and his son. The artwork style is sweet and charming. While it might not be as colourful as the previous two books on our list, it will for sure tuck your heart string and make you feel very warm inside.
Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book
by Rod Campbell
This book has been around over a quarter of a century and has never fallen out of favour. With the simple but brilliant idea of hiding or revealing an animal as you close or lift a page, it provides so much interactive fun to its young readers. it has a series of publications of different sizes and design, making it a great set that is well worth collecting.
Gossie
by Olivier Dunrea
Gossie is a yellow gosling who likes to wear her red boots. One morning they disappear, leaving her heartbroken. She sets out the find them, taking your little one with her to go on the journey to find her red boots. This can be read as a stand alone book illustrated in the sweetest style, but also the first in a series of books about Gossie and her many friends. Be sure to check out these lovely board books and you will not be disappointed!
Are You My Mother?
by P. D. Eastman
This is another timeless classic. First published in 1960, it has been considered for numerous best children’s book lists and still captures the heart of children half a century later. In the book, a baby bird goes on a journey to look for his mother. The story is short and sweet, perfect for initiating your little one into the wonderful world of picture books.
Goodnight Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd
This is a perfect bedtime story to read with your little one. In the book, a bunny says good night to every object in the room. The text is written in a soothing way with a hypnotic quality that not only helps children fall a sleep, but also teach them to read in a relaxed way.
I Love You Through and Through
by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak, Caroline Jayne Church
This is a rhyming story of the love between a teddy bear and a child. The catchy words are accompanied by adorable illustrations, making it an instant favourite for young children. “I love your inside, your outside, your topside, your bottom side…” Is your heart melting already? There’s even a version of this book that comes with the exact same teddy bear as seen in the book!
The Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats
This is a simple story of a child waking up to find snow has fallen during the night, and goes on a journey to explore the snow covered world. As the 1963 Caldecott Medal Winner, this book is beautifully illustrated, capturing the magical quality of snow and all the fun a child can have with it. As one of the all-time classics, it should certainly earn a spot on your baby’s book shelf
Where the Wild Things Are
by Maurice Sendak
Finally, lets wrap up with another best loved books of all time. Winner of the 1964 Caldecott Medal for the Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year, Where the Wild Things Are is a truly unique and wonderful work of art that is loved by both children and adults. It is full of fun and super relatable to any children who has been sent to their room for mischief. This books sparks imagination and transport you to a place of exciting adventure. The illustrations are fantastic, some times frightening but at the same time fun and intriguing. You might find yourself enjoying this book just as much as your little one does when you read it together.
