Books that Will Be Baby’s First Year Favorites

Today is my son’s first birthday.  So, I thought I would highlight his top favorite books for kids of his first year.  All of the books are board books.  Board books are constructed with durable cardboard pages that make them great for wear and tear with a baby.

Favorite Books for Baby’s First Year

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1.  My Truck is Stuck by Kevin Lewis and Daniel Kirk is his favorite book of the moment.  Hence, the theme of his birthday cake!  He loves when your voice does the “beep! beep!” and “vroom” sound effects.

2.  Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow was the first book we ever read to him.  He has enjoyed this book all year long and has now begun to shake his finger for the part when the doctor says, “No more monkeys jumping on the bed.”

3.  Belly Button Book by Sandra Boynton is another year long favorite.  The rhythm of the story really keeps him engaged.

4.  Toes, Ears, & Nose by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Karen Katz is a lift-the-flap book.  This is another recent favorite.  throughout the story different body parts are named.  We then touch the same part on his body.  He shakes this one in front of you over and over to read it again.  One warning though  I do not recommend lift-the-flaps with an almost one year old.  He has ripped all but one lift the flap off.

5.  I Love You, Sun I Love You, Moon by Karen Pandell and illustrated Tomie dePaola is a simple tribute to loving the planet earth.

6.  That’s not my monkey… by Fiona Watt and illustrated by Rachel Wells is a touchy-feely book.  In my opinion, most touch and feel books out there aren’t very good.  However, this series by Usborne does a very nice job of placing a variety of textures in their books.  My son’s favorite page is feeling the monkeys fuzzy tongue.

7.  The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper and Illustrated by Christina Ong was an early favorite.    The edges of the book are completely chewed.  I love the message of the book to believe that you can do anything.

8.  Dr. Seuss’s ABC An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Dr. Seuss is a silly romp through the alphabet.  Again, this story has great rhythm that keeps the listener engaged.

9.  Chicka Chicka a b c by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault and illustrated by Lois Ehlert is super fun.  It’s an oversized board book which has really intrigued by son.  He now even uses his finger to mimic the letters climbing the coconut tree.

10.  Favorite book throughout the whole year is Hickory, Dickory, Dock and other favorite nursery rhymes illustrated by Sanja Rescek.   Wow, this book has seen a lot of wear and tear.  He loves, loves, loves this book.  Favorite rhyme is ‘Old King Cole’.  I haven’t figured out that one yet.

UPDATE

I thought I would add my youngest son’s favorite books from his first year.  He enjoyed all of the books above, but he also had some additional favorites!

Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden was his absolute favorite.  In fact, we based his first birthday cake off of the book.He loved to look at himself in the mirror at the end of the story.

Where is Baby’s Belly Button by Karen Katz is a fun lift-the-flap book.  My younger son did much better with lift-the-flaps.  We didn’t have a problem with him tearing them off.

Looking for more book lists?  Check out our Favorite Books of Songs for Babies post!

Does your child have a favorite board book from their childhood?  We’d love some ideas for mommy and daddy are getting tired of the same stories and would love something fresh.