Must-Have Board Books for Babies to Spark Early Literacy
- 10 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Research consistently shows just how important it is to read to babies early and often. Babies who are read to consistently grow into children who have improved language and academic outcomes. Reading is also such a special time between babies and caregivers, and can provide structure, warmth, and connection building.
Board books are the perfect tools for sparking early literacy. The thick pages are durable and baby-friendly, and often include bright and contrasting colors, and simple sentences. You can view many of our favorite board books by visiting our Bookshop pages:
Here's a list of board books that have caught our attention lately:
Baby, You're a Rainbow
Author/Illustrator: Sophie Beer | Publisher: Dial Books
Full of rich, vibrant illustrations and told in sweet rhyme, this board book from beloved creator Sophie Beer celebrates the joy that babies bring to their families and the way they can be up early like a sunrise, roly-poly-like clouds, and banging like thunder. And how, as a family, they’ll stomp and splash through all kinds of weather together.
How Many Babies?
Author/Illustrator: Forest Xiao | Publisher: Candlewick
One baby peeks out upside down. Three babies share a swing. Eight babies ride in a shopping cart. How many squish in a bed? Childlike illustrations, a happy palette of blue and yellow, and vivid numerals from one to ten catch babies’ and toddlers’ attention in this adorable counting book from Forest Xiao.
Friends Belong
Author: Dan Saks | Illustrator: Delphine Lee | Publisher: Rise x Penguin Workshop
Celebrate the bonds of friendship in the first book of a heartwarming new series by Dan Saks! Featuring a range of friends across genders, ages, and backgrounds, this charming board book introduces preschoolers to the different ways that friendships can look and feel—perfect for little ones who are beginning to understand and explore what it means to be a friend for the first time.
Pan Dulce
Author/Illustrator: Aaron Bowersock | Publisher: Lil' Libros
Conchas, empanadas, churros–it's pan dulce time! Created with high-contrast imagery, Pan Dulce is the sweetest Board Books for your little ones to enjoy. Each spread is specifically designed to help strengthen their growing eyes.
Now I See Summer
Author: Mac Barnett | Illustrator: Jon Klassen | Publisher: Tundra Books
Sparse and rhythmic text invites readers to explore a rural setting through different seasons, gently introducing everyday words. Envisioned as a set that also can be read as standalone books, each of the four volumes in this eye-catching series has identical text but different images that reflect the time of year. In summer, the tree has full green leaves, the sky is blue, a sweet treat is ice cream and the perfect hat shades you from the sun. Now I See Summer celebrates all the wonderful things about the season through a child’s eyes – and shows why it’s their favorite time of year.
Global Baby Grandparents
Author: Maya Ajmera | Publisher: Charlesbridge
Adorable photos of babies and their grandparents from all around the globe make this book the perfect first read for the toddler in your life and a heartwarming gift for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparents' Day, and baby showers. Part of the proceeds from this book's sales will be donated to Global Fund for Children to support innovative community-based organizations that serve the world's most vulnerable children and youth.
