Best Books for Newborns
There are so many books for newborns on the market that it can get confusing. What are the best books for newborns? What books do you need? I made a condensed look at books for infants to help you build your child’s first library.
The books for infants below were chosen to reflect the reading you’ll want to do for your baby’s first few months. Primarily, you’ll be using these stories at bedtime, during tummy time, or to enhance their eyesight and stimulate their senses. I also have a list of Best Books for a 1-Year-Old. It is never too early to think about building your baby’s library.
Reading to babies is so important. Babies learn language by hearing it. Talking to your baby is the best way to help them understand and learn language. When you read books to infants, you are giving their brains the chance to grow.
The Best Books for Newborns
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre of books for infants. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Book for Bedtime
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown- Jump to Section
Best Book About Love
I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth – Jump to Section
Best Black and White Book
Baby, boo by Beth Hardwood- Jump to Section
Best Interactive Book for Infants
Five Little Monkeys by Cottage Door Press – Jump to Section
Best Classic Book for Newborns
Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt – Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Bedtime Books for Newborns
A newborn’s bedtime routine should start right away! Read the same bedtime books every night at the same time to signal to your little one that it’s bedtime and not just time for a snooze.
Goodnight Moon
Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Clement Hurd
Year: 1947
Genre: Board Books
Age: 0 – 4
More info: Over the Moon #2
Plot
This classic children’s literature is beloved by generations of readers and listeners. The quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day. This is one of the most popular bedtime stories for babies ever written.
Why Kirsten loves it
The soothing, repetitive phrases in this book guide children to sleep. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t read this book at least once in their life. It’s a classic that will always stand the test of time.
Find this book in: Newborn Books / Best Board Books / Bedtime Books / Classic Kids Books / Bunny Books
Plot
Rhyming, animals, and the sweet words in this book make it the perfect companion before bed. I loved setting up a routine that let my kids know bedtime was coming.
We would bathe, put on lotion, and snuggle up to read a story. I made sure that my voice was quiet and soothing. Even if you have a new baby, incorporating a book into your nightly routine is a wonderful way to end the day.
Why Jackie loves it
The rhyming for language development and lovely illustrations of animals make this a perfect going-to-bed book for babies.
Find this book in: Bedtime Books / Classic Books for Kids / Newborn Books / Best Board Books / Animal Books for Kids
If Animals Kissed Good Night
Author: Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrator: David Walker
Year: 2008
Genre: Board Book
Age: 0 – 2
Plot
Even though your little one may not understand all the words, the adorable pictures of animals kissing good night are too cute and your baby will love the sounds of your voice as well as the rhymes.
Why Jackie loves it
This is an adorable bedtime story for babies. While reading it, point out the names of the animals to expose your little ones to new vocabulary words.
Find this book in: Bedtime Stories / Best Books for Newborns
Baby’s First Books About Love
Prop your baby up facing you as you read these love books for infants to them. They will learn about emotion from the sound of your voice and enjoy watching your face move as you talk. After all, your face is a newborn’s first glimpse into the world.
I Love You to the Moon and Back
Author: Amelia Hepworth
Illustrator: Tim Warnes
Year: 2015
Genre: Board Book
Age: 0 – 3
Plot
This charming bedtime story is perfect for our list of books for infants. It’s all about a mama bear explaining how much she loves her baby all throughout the day, before tucking her child in for bed.
Why Jackie loves it
It’s a modern classic that is perfect for any baby’s home library.
Find this book in: Best Bedtime Stories / Best Books for Newborns
Love You Head to Toe
Author: Ashley Barron
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Year: 2020
Genre: Board Book
Age: 0 – 3
Plot
This is an adorable post filled with rhymes and describing love. With each amazing illustration, the book takes a picture of a baby and turns it into an animal.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a perfect pick in books for newborns! In this book, babies splash like ducklings, stretch like cats and so much more.
Plot
A little monkey is looking for a hug and asking all his little animal friends! When reading this book, ask your little one for a hug every time the monkey does.
Why Jackie loves it
My whole family loves this story! This was my favorite book to pull out when I wanted to snuggle my kids.
Find this book in: Best Books for a 1-year-old / Best Infant Books
Black and White Books for Newborns
Did you know that newborns can only see in black and white? These high-contrast books help them to develop their eyesight right from birth.
Plot
My husband loved to read this to our little one repeatedly. It’s peekaboo in a board book. There are black and white photos of other babies, then the baby goes missing and a mirror appears for your child to find themselves. The giggles this book produced from kids were the best!
Why Kirsten loves it
These black-and-white illustrations are perfect for newborns. The high-contrast baby faces help children grow and understand facial expressions.
Find this book in: Newborn Books / Best Board Books
Plot
The simple text mixed with Black and White high contrast photos makes this a great book to read off the bat.
Why Kirsten loves it
My boys used to point and stare at each image as I repeated over and over again what they were seeing.
Find this book in: Newborn Books / Best Board Books
I Kissed the Baby
Author: Mary Murphy
Illustrator: Mary Murphy
Year: 2004
Genre: Board Books
Age: 0 – 1
Plot
This black-and-white board book is perfect for newborns since they can only see black and white initially. It’s all about a new baby duckling and animals talking about their interactions with it.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is my favorite baby book to gift. It has repetition and rhyme, black-and-white illustrations for newborns, and can be made interactive by following the tasks talked about in the book – tickling, hugging, and kissing!
Find this book in: Newborn Books / Best Board Books
Interactive Books for Infants
The senses we take for granted are new for your infant. The books below have flaps to grip and different textures to explore. Lightly guide their fingers and help them interact with the interactive books below. Eventually, they will learn to reach for the books themselves.
Plot
This adorable finger puppet book is interactive and fun. The repetition in this classic rhyme encourages language development and as children get older, they may start babbling along while you read.
Why Jackie loves it
The finger puppet encourages hand-eye coordination while they interact with the finger puppet on this book.
Find this book in: Counting Books / Interactive Books For Kids / Books for Newborns
Where is Baby’s Belly Button
Author: Karen Katz
Illustrator: Karen Katz
Year: 2000
Genre: Board Book
Age: 0 – 2
Plot
Sweet pictures and lift-the-flaps make interactive fun in this adorable board book. You can look at the pictures and then play with your baby. “Where is your belly button?”
Why Jackie loves it
From the charming classic pictures to easy to lift flaps, this is the perfect interactive book for your baby’s first months.
Plot
The descriptions of the animals in this zoo book are so funny. The flaps are fun for little ones and as kids get older, they realize how silly it is to write to the zoo for a pet.
Why Kirsten loves it
This book was an absolute favorite in our house. Its lift-the-flap pages make it a fun interactive book for babies and toddlers.
Find this book in: Zoo Books, Best Books for a 1-year-old, First Books for Newborns
Classic Books for Newborns
The classic books for newborns below are perfect to keep your infant’s attention during tummy time. Place the books in front of them while you read to encourage them to lift their head.
Pat the Bunny (Touch and Feel Book)
Author: Dorothy Kunhardt
Illustrator: Dorothy Kunhardt
Year: 1968
Genre: Board Books
Age: 0 – 3
Plot
This touch-and-feel book is perfect for little ones to feel the soft bunny and look in the mirror. It’s such a cute classic that launched interactive board books for babies and spawned a million spoof books!
Why Jackie loves it
I love the interactive element of this one! My mom had this book, I had it, and I read it to my daughter too!
Find this book in: Books for Newborns / Interactive Books For Kids / Bunny Books
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See
Author: Bill Martin Jr.
Illustrator: Eric Carle
Year: 1996
Genre: Board Book
Age: 0 – 3
Plot
Brown Bear, Brown Bear is a classic for a reason. It uses Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle’s signature style to teach about colors and animals. The repetitive pattern is addictive.
Why Jackie loves it
It’s a great introduction to colors and animals. There are so many activities that can be done with this great book for toddlers. But the colors and pictures are perfect for even the littlest reader.
Find this book in: Color Books / Newborn Books / Best Board Books / 2-year-old Books / Classic Kids Books
Read to Your Baby Every Day: 30 Classic Nursery Rhymes to Read Aloud
Author: Rachel Williams
Illustrator: Chloe Giordano
Year: 2019
Genre: Classic Nursery Rhymes
Age: 0 – 4
Plot
I love reading nursery rhymes to my kids. Some of them are interactive (like this little piggy), some are sweet, and some are just plain silly. I love the rhyme and rhythm of these poems.
Their short nature also makes it easy to read a few at naptime in addition to having them be more memorable than longer books. You’ll recognize all the classics from your childhood in this collection.
Why Jackie loves it
The fact that these are silly and don’t make sense is also part of the fun. As your child gets older, you can point out all the silly things that make the book interesting.
I always read to my kids in a special chair at bedtime. I put them in my lap at an angle so I could see them and they could see the book. This way, I could always see their reaction to the pages when they were too young to ask questions for themselves.
Expert Tip
Does it feel strange reading to a newborn? Are you not sure how to do it? Here are some tips
- Start early- You can begin reading to newborns as soon as you feel up to it
- Read and talk, talk, talk
- Make reading fun (and interactive)
- Pick appropriate books
- Incorporate reading into your daily routine
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you start reading books to a newborn?
Immediately! Start reading to your baby as soon as you feel able, or even while they are still in your belly. Newborns learn vocal cues by listening to you speak.
What books are good for newborns?
For newborns and infants, it’s important to expose them to high-contrast books to help develop eyesight. It’s also a good idea to read to them during tummy time to encourage them to lift their heads.
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Epilogue
Did you find any books for infants and newborns to add to your home library?
