Each year I do a post of my favorite picture books of the year and I also include a small section for the best 1-3 board books. But, some years there are way more than three board books that deserve a mention. That last happened in 2022. Well, 2024 is another year for some shelf-worthy board books for toddlers and babies. So, let’s dive right in!
Best Board Books of 2024
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The listening needs of a newborn vary drastically from those of an older toddler. So, I’ve broken down the books into different categories.
These would be perfect gifts for the holidays and beyond.
Favorite Board Books for Babies
Say hello to all the little garden critters in this high-contrast book great for very little babies. Add Hello, Garden Bugs by Julissa Mora to your shelf.
Favorite Board Books for Toddlers
Best Book Picks for Ages 12 Months to 18 Months
This is such a fun format book for your littlest listeners. Cover up each part of the body by turning the pages until the little one is tucked in for the night. This one is sure to be a repeat read. Enjoy Good Night Belly Button by Lucie Brunellière.
What little one doesn’t love a game of peek-a-boo? Peekaboo Who? by Elena Selena. Can you guess who is hiding behind each feature?
Our hands can do many things from holding and pointing to signing and reading braille. My Hands Can by Ammi-Joan Paquette is full of diversity and possibility.
Big and Little: A Book of Animal Opposites by Harriet Evans introduces us to the concept of opposites with the interactive quality of lift-the-flaps.
Interactive + Farm Animals= Read Aloud Fun. Check out Don’t Push the Button: On the Farm by
Bill Cotter.
I’m a fan of Zommer’s work in picture books. Now, little ones can enjoy the beautiful art too. Head to the backyard to meet all sorts of critters. These are perfect for reading with littles before nap or anytime of the day. Enjoy Little Snail’s Book of Bugs by Yuval Zommer.
Our main character talks directly to the listener inviting little ones to answer questions and share their choices about playing outside in this engaging book. Read Play With Me Outside by Kat Chen.
Little ones love books with photographs and How We Play by Dolisha Mitchell delivers. I love the diversity shown in this book.
On Powwow Day by Traci Sorell and Madelyn Goodnight is full of color, sound, and items to count at the powwow.
A Winter Walk in the City Cathy Goldberg Fishman has such simple text but it and the illustrations are so elevated. Count your way to to 10 through the city from one glowing menorah to five dogs wearing sweaters to ten people sharing holiday smiles. It’s rich and cultural and full of winter holiday magic.
Best Book Picks for Ages 18 Months and Up
A young child awaits the arrival of the school bus questioning each noise that passes the window. Each time a new vehicle travels down the street. Finally, the bus arrives and someone special arrives home. Enjoy Is That the Bus? by Libby Koponen.
This book gives me Blue Hat, Green Hat vibes. Learn all about things that go and few that might be a little odd in this fun and playful book. Check out Kitty-Corn Club Things That Go by Shannon Hale and Leuyen Pham
I’m not usually a fan of sound books but this one is a gem! Little ones can press the sounds to hear 24 different bird calls of North American birds from Robins to Cardinals. Enjoy Songs of the Birds by Isabel Otter.
Loads of animals in a shade of colors will dazzle young listeners in Hello Hello Colors by
Brendan Wenzel. Wenzel is well-known for his very clever picture books so it’s fun to see him dabble in some books for younger kiddos.
Lourdes Heuer and Zara González Hoang bring us the Teeny Tiendas series in English and Spanish.
Step inside the fruit shop and discover plums, guavas, figs and more. Then, take it all on a picnic.
Why I’m digging this new series…
1. It’s bilingual.
2. It builds vocabulary taking it past the basic step of what comes to mind when we think of different fruits.
3. There are multicultural and varied physical abilities characters.
4. The illustrations are so well done you feel like you are enjoying a picture book.
Which books are you most looking forward to getting?
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