I have spent a long time thinking about and experimenting with, as a nanny and a parent, which books are the most liked, most exciting, well-written and illustrated baby books for little ones. These are my favorites.*This list is always under revision. Please feel free to suggest more!
ABC: A Child's First Alphabet Book by, Alison Jay - I also have 123 and Picture This. Her books are beautiful, imaginative and fun. My son loves these more than other board book we have. I'm not sure why it's hard to find them now.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee - probably my favorite children's book right now. About a gentle man who works at a zoo and makes friends with the animals. When he gets sick, they take turns caring for him. Very sweet and the illustrations are incredible.
Along a Long Road - this book is all about the incredible illustrations as a man takes a long bicycle ride through different terrain. It's a minimal story but the pictures are so good. Best for 2 years and up.
Baby's Numbers - Karen Katz - simple pictures for babies learning to count.
Baby Talk - of all the babies faces books (which they love), this one seems to captivate them the most. It has colored flaps that lift up and sideways which makes it more interactive.
Barnyard Dance - Sandra Boynton - a fun, energetic, rhyming book about dancing!
Beautiful Oops! - a great story about how a mistake leads to unexpected treasures. Encouraging and very texturally engaging. A great lesson for art and life.
Brown Bear
Bear Snores On - has a nice story about a bear sleeping through a little party in his lair. You can use silly voices. Part of a series.
Blueberries for Sal - one of my favorites as a kid. A story about a boy who goes blueberry picking with his mom...and wanders off only to run into another young thing away from its mother. Sweet and touching.
Cat at Night - probably best for 2 years +, but wonderful illustrations about a cat's adventures at night and how they see differently than we do in the dark. A great book that will be read a lot in our house in years to come.
charley harper's abcs
charley harper's 123
Corduroy - one of my favorites as a child, Corduroy is the story of a bear in a department store who desperately wants to find a home...and one day a little girl spots him...
Do Crocs Kiss? - a large, colorful, simple lift-the-flap book about what sounds animals make. Very entertaining for babies with the flaps and big animal faces and sounds you can make. See also: Do Cows Meow?
Do Mice Eat Rice? - a wonderful, rhyming story about eating different foods. It asks if different animals would eat different foods. It's a pleasure to hear and the illustrations are huge and funny and great.
The Dot - A touching story about a little girl who thinks she can't draw until her teacher encourages her to "make a mark and see where it takes you". It has a message that with a little support, you can achieve more than you ever thought. Made me tear up.
Dwell Studio: What's Inside? Neighborhood - once baby is old enough, there's a lot to look at and name in this book.
Eating the Alphabet - I'm really into watercolor illustrations...and food. So I love this book. I tried it out on my son a few months ago and he wasn't blown away by it. But I'll bet some babies would be.
Finn Throws A Fit - we just got this book as a gift, and it's hilarious and has the BEST illustrations! It's all about a little toddler who has a bad day, throws an enormous fit, and then can't remember what he was upset about. Great for kids and adults to read.
First Words - picture book with lots to look at.
Freight Train - a small board book with great illustrations and a simple story about trains. The kids learn colors as they read. A classic.
The Gift of Nothing - this isn't just a charming kids book, this is a touching, sweet look at love and how to care for someone. It's a great book all around.
Goodnight Moon - what's to say? The perfect good night book.
The Goodnight Train - this book is a simple ride on a train where everyone is getting ready to sleep and saying goodnight. The pace and rhyming lull you into a sleepy state.
Harold and the Purple Crayon
I Am a Bunny - retro Scarry illustrations and talks about seasons. Just a sweet little bunny enjoying the seasons.
Iggy Peck Architect - best for those around 2 years +. This is a hilarious story about a precocious young boy, Ignatius, who begins building things at a very young age despite being discouraged and it comes in handy one day in a crisis. Very clever and one of my personal favorites.
I Like Toys - concentrates on shapes.
Indestructibles books-** great for teething and chewers, watercolor illustrations and no words.
Jamberry - a lovely, rhyming book about a bear and boy finding berries for jam. Simple and pleasing with bright, colorful pictures.
Knuffle Bunny - set in Brooklyn and a great story with awesome photos and illustrations.
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big, Hungry Bear - large book with great illustrations about a mouse who wants to hide a strawberry from an unseen bear.
Llama Llama Red Pajama - rhyming, funny story that teaches baby why Mama/Papa may not always be available.
Miss Rumphius - this book is a great treasure. Best for kids a couple of years older than 2...but I'm marking it anyway because it's such a beautiful story.
My Friend Rabbit - a very simple story about friends and getting into trouble; great illustrations.
The Napping House - like The House in the Night, this book is a rhythmic story about a house in which everyone is napping. It's a silly story about what happens when too many creatures nap on top of one another.
Now I Am Big - a retro styled board book with simple colors and illustrations, this is an 8-page book about how a boy used to be little but now he can do different things. My son really enjoys it. There is also one about a girl called I Can Do It Myself.
Olivia - the Olivia series is awesome. This is the first book of the series and it introduces Olivia, the sassy, energetic, non-conformist little pig who wins over your heart.
One Gorilla - the pictures in this book are amazing! And if your child likes monkeys, this is the one to get.
Otis - a wonderful story about a tractor and friendship. I love this story and can't wait until my son is old enough to listen to it.
Owl Moon - a beautiful, quiet story about a boy and his father going out in the snow to listen for owls. Probably best for 2 years +.
Peek-a-Who?- a small board book with holes in the pages so you can play peek-a-boo while reading. It's a very simple story good for young babies.
Planting A Rainbow - this might be best for 2 years + but the watercolor illustrations are amazing and it's about gardening and growing food. I'll be getting this for my son once he can understand what it's about since we garden and grow food ourselves!
Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go - the ultimate in vehicle silliness.
Runaway Bunny - Margaret Wise Brown - this one i'm nostalgic for because it was a special one for me and my mother. It's about a little bunny who wants to make sure Mama would find him and love him no matter what shape he takes or where he goes.
Splish Splash- has texture on each page. It's simple but I like it.
Spring Is Here - a simple, beautiful story on seasons and nature. This is my personal favorite by Taro Gomi, whose books I love. I also really like My Friends/Mis Amigos, Mommy Mommy!, and Peekaboo.
Stone Soup - originally published in 1947 this is a story about a group of soldiers who outwit a village with their cunning. It's probably best for kids 2+, but it is one of my favorites.
Ten Little Ladybugs - a rhyming, counting down of ladybugs with 3D ladybugs to touch on each page, this book is very pleasing for kids learning to understand words. I think it may be out of print now but could probably be found at the library.
The House in the Night - a beautiful black and white illustrated book that, as a friend described, is like a poem. It's rhythmic and soothing. My son is not quite there yet at 11+ months, he still needs a faster page turning time. But i LOVE this book and I'm sure he will too as he gets older. Now that I know about this book, I will always give it as a shower gift. Beautiful.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
There's No Such Thing As A Dragon - this was one of my favorite books as a kid. Great illustrations and I loved the idea that grown ups didn't believe the boy when it was obvious they were wrong. WRONG!
Time for Bed - a soothing bedtime story with great, magical illustrations. My son doesn't like it yet, but I think he will as he gets older and has more of a grasp on language.Trains - a small board book good for young babies, this is a simple explanation and illustrations of what trains are, do and how they work.
Trains Go - great watercolor illustrations! A large board book. My son LOVES this book. You make the sounds that different trains make. See also: Trucks Go & Diggers Go.
What Does Baby See?
Where Is Baby's Belly Button? - Karen Katz
Where The Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak - a treasure and a classic.
Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You - good luck not crying while reading this to your child/ren.
Who's In The Farmyard? - a board book with holes and lots of sounds to make. my son loves this book, we keep renewing it from the library.
And last but not least here's a link to a list of the top best books to give someone at a baby shower which has most of the above books and many more great ones.
