Best Board Books for Babies

Why yes, March is National Reading Month. And, it’s not like we need a reason to extol the virtues of reading.

But we’ve been wanting to highlight our favorite books and reading activities. So, sprinkled throughout the site this month we will be doing just that.

Just in case you’ve missed it before, I think the best baby gift or baby shower gift you could give any new parents is a bunch of books. Ideally, it should be a small selection hand-picked by you. But if you’re lazy or just can’t remember your childhood favorites, we’ve got you covered. And, yes, babies should be read to. Durrr.

Behold, my list of the best five board books for babies.

Jamberry

Jamberry is a colorful book filled with busy illustrations and delightful rhymes that roll off the tongue.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was my son’s absolute favorite baby book. The rhyming is pleasing to baby ears. Plus, Eric Carle is a genius. Brown Bear seems to play second fiddle to Carle’s more popular The Very Hungry Caterpillar. But it’s tops on our list.

Silly Sally

Silly Sally is another rhyming treat. Sally goes to town to the beat of her own drum and for that we like her very much.

The Snowy Day

The Snowy Day is one of the most beautifully designed books in my son’s library with its gorgeous use of color and collage. It’s a lovely story about a young boy playing outside after a snowstorm. Published in 1962 it was one of the most controversial books of the 1960s, which is hard to believe given its very simple storyline. It went on to earn a Caldecott Medal.

Good Night, Gorilla

Good Night, Gorilla is very funny book about a mischievous gorilla who frees himself and other animals from the zoo and follows the zookeeper home.

By this point you are scratching your head, thinking, No “Goodnight Moon“? That’s right. Not on this list. Yes, it’s a wonderful book. But if you are looking to give books as a baby gift, chances are that the new baby has already received maybe one, or fives copies of Goodnight Moon. Just trust us.