Must-Have Books for Your Baby’s Library: Beyond ‘Goodnight Moon’

If you’re a bookworm like us, you’re going to love picking out books to add to your baby’s bookshelf. We’ve compiled a list of our favorites – a mixture of tried-and-true classics and a few modern picks. These are great selections to read to your little one from birth into toddlerhood.

It’s never too early to start reading to your baby. They’ll love to hear the sound of your voice and to touch (and chew!) the book. Soon, you’ll look forward to bonding and unwinding with them at bedtime over a good book!

1. “Belly Button Book” By Sandra Boynton

All of Sandra Boynton’s books are so great. We had a hard time choosing just one. This silly little story centers on a group of hippos who love their belly buttons, which they affectionately call their “bee bo.”

2. “Toes, Ears, & Nose” By Marion Dane Bauer

We haven’t met a baby yet that doesn’t love this book. It’s a lift-the-flap book that helps babies identify their toes, ears, elbows and other body parts. You’ll know it’s one of your baby’s favorites when you have to repeatedly tape the flaps because they’ve ripped them off!

3. “Peek-A Who” By Nina Laden

This is a really simple board book that will have curious babies giggling in anticipation of what’s hiding on the next page. Each page has a hole cut out of it that gives you a “peek” of what’s to come (Peek a … Moo!”) There’s a special treat for your baby on the last page – a mirror for “Peek a … You!”

4. “I Like Me!” By Nancy Carlson

This book features an energetic pig who is booming with self-confidence. When she wakes up in the morning, she looks in the mirror and says, “Hi, good-looking!” She’s her own best friend, and loves herself from her “round tummy” to her “tiny little feet.” This book is perfect for teaching your little one self-confidence.

5. “Llama Llama Red Pajama” By Anna Dewdney

We especially love this fun rhyming book to read out loud. Every child can relate to being scared in bed and wanting their mama to “RUN, RUN, RUN!” to their room and comfort them. And every mama can relate to wanting her little one to “stop all this llama drama and be patient for your mama.”

6. “If I Could Keep You Little” By Marianne Richmond

If you’re the sentimental type, this book will leave you misty-eyed. It illustrates the balance a parent must find between wanting to keep their child young (“If I could keep you little, I’d decide on matching clothes.”) with the reality that they flourish when they grow (“But then I’d miss you choosing dots on top and stripes below.”)

7. “An Awesome Book of Love” By Dallas Clayton

This book is filled with whimsical illustrations and poetic prose that will make it impossible for you not to smile when you read it. On one page, a purple bear with a rainbow heart beating out of his chest jumps high in the air and proclaims, “When I’m beside you I’m leaping and bounding  … So proud I can hardly contain my heart pounding.”

8. “Aliens in Underpants Save the World” By Claire Freedman and Ben Cort

Your child will be glued to this wonderfully illustrated book, thanks to its silly story of aliens in outlandish underpants who steal underwear from humans on Earth. It’s also a good book to practice counting, as there’s lots of pairs of underpants on each page.

9. “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” By Eric Litwin

Pete is a really laid back, cool cat who likes to strut down the street singing about his new white shoes. Nothing can get him down, not even when he steps in huge piles of strawberries and other fruit that change the color of his shoes, “because it’s all good.” As an added bonus, you can download the song for free on the publisher’s website.

10. “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” By Dr. Seuss

This ubiquitous Dr. Seuss favorite is one that both parents and children can continue to find inspiration in, even after multiple readings. Sometimes, if you’re having a bad day, there’s nothing like reading “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose” to give you a little boost of encouragement!

Liz and Roo 

We hope you’ll enjoy cuddling up soon with your little one (wrapped in a Liz and Roo Minky Receiving Blanket, of course) to read some of these books. Like a shelf full of favorite books, Liz and Roo’s modern baby bedding can help transform your nursery into a place you and your baby will both love.