If you’re here, you’ve probably heard that reading to your baby is super important! However, choosing exactly what to read to them can be more difficult. Lucky for you, I’ve rounded up the 13 best books for one-year-olds below!
Oh, and don’t worry, it’s all in a board book option that makes it drool and chew-proof.
Best Books for One Year Olds
“Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown
The classic bedtime story has been a favorite of parents and children for generations. It was on my own bookshelf when I was a kid! With its soothing rhymes and gentle illustrations, “Goodnight Moon” is the perfect way to wind down before bed.
The book is about a rabbit who says goodnight to all the different things in its room while they sleep and it has lovely illustrations.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle
With its colorful illustrations and simple storyline, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is a fun and engaging read for little ones. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce your child to the concept of healthy eating.
“Where’s Spot?” by Eric Hill
In “Where’s Spot?”, your child will help Spot’s mother find him by lifting the flaps on each page. This interactive book is a great way to help your child develop their fine motor skills and attention span.
At one year old, your little one may still need a little help with this one, but he’ll love lifting the flaps. It’s like playing peek-a-boo.
“Dear Zoo” by Rod Campbell
In “Dear Zoo”, a child writes to the zoo to ask for a pet, and the zoo sends them a series of animals to choose from. With its simple text and fun flaps, this book is a great way to introduce your child to different types of animals.
“Giraffes Can’t Dance” by Giles Andreae
In “Giraffes Can’t Dance”, a giraffe named Gerald learns that everyone has their own unique talents and abilities. This heartwarming story is a great way to teach your child about self-esteem and the importance of accepting who they are.
“Peek-a-Sino?” by Nina Laden
In “Peek-a-Who?”, your child will guess who or what is hiding behind each page’s colorful cutouts. This fun and interactive book is a great way to help your child develop their thinking and language skills.
I love that the cutouts and flaps on this book are durable because your little one will definitely be opening and closing them hundreds of times!
“Moo, Baa, La La La!” by Sandra Boynton
With fun animal sounds and catchy rhymes, “Moo, Baa, La La La!” is a fun read for both parents and children. This book is a great way to introduce your child to the concept of animal sounds and make them smile at the same time.
“Press Here” by Hervé Tullet
With “Click Here”, your child will follow the instructions on each page to create a series of interactive effects. This book is a great way to help your child develop their thinking and problem-solving skills, while having fun.
“Big Red Barn” by Margaret Wise Brown
In “Big Red Barn”, your child will follow the farm animals as they go about their day. With its friendly illustrations and simple text, this is one of the best books for a one year old if you want to introduce them to new sights and sounds.
“Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney
This classic story of unconditional love and affection is an absolute must-have for your baby’s library. It tells the story of Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare, a father and son duo, as they try to express their love for each other. As Little Nutbrown Hare tries to explain how much he loves his father, Big Nutbrown Hare responds with even greater expressions of love.
If you are an “I love you more” household, you will love this book. And, it doesn’t hurt that the illustrations are pretty darn cute!
“The Going to Bed Book” by Sandra Boynton
This book filled with delightful rhymes and colorful illustrations follows as a group of animals get ready for bed. It goes through each of their bedtime routines, including showering, brushing their teeth, and putting on pajamas, before settling in for the night.
This is a great way to start introducing the idea of a bedtime routine to your baby.
“Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes Padded Board Book” by Mem Fox
This book features adorable illustrations of babies from different ethnicities, with different skin tones and eye colors, and highlights one thing they all have in common: ten little finger and ten little toes. In simple and repetitive language, the book introduces young readers to the concept of diversity and promotes acceptance and inclusivity.
The padded board book format is perfect for little hands to hold and explore, making it a great addition to any child’s bookshelves.
“See, Touch, Feel : A First Sensory Book” by Roger Priddy
As you can probably guess from the title, this book is full of colorful photographs and textured materials that encourage children to explore and interact with the world around them. Each page features a different sensory experience, such as feeling a fluffy chick, touching a lumpy turtle, or looking at a shiny star.
With its focus on sensory exploration, the book helps children develop their fine motor skills and encourages curiosity and creativity. This is a perfect book for parents looking to introduce their young children to the joy of reading and sensory play.
Some Things You Should Know About Reading to Your One Year Old
Why Should I Read to My 1 Year Old?
Everyone is probably telling you to read to your baby, but you might be left wondering why. First of all, books introduce so many new concepts to your baby and expand their world. According to Cleveland Clinicsome of the perceived benefits are:
- Improved language skills: When you read to your baby, he hears all kinds of new words that expand his vocabulary.
- Increased bonding: If you make reading a part of your daily routine, that’s guaranteed to be mutually beneficial for you and your baby.
- Emotional learning: Your baby will be exposed to different situations and emotions through the characters they meet in the books you read together.
- An introduction to tasks: I’m a big fan of loose tasks that provide a framework for your day. Not only do they keep our house running smoothly, but I think it’s really important for little ones to know what they can expect on a daily basis.
Long story short, language skills and emotional learning are very important to your baby’s development. Reading with them will give them a headstart on both.
How Will I Read in My 1 Year?
If you’re like me, you probably have visions of curling up in your nursery glider with your baby and reading them a sweet book. While this may be the case at times, this is not what reading with your child looks like all the time!
It’s okay to let your child flip the pages, chew on the book, or play with a toy while you read to them. Just try to get in a few minutes each day, your child’s attention span isn’t much longer than a 1 year old anyway.
From classic bedtime stories to interactive and silly reads, these books will keep your child engaged and entertained while also helping them develop important skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books should I read until 1 year old?
Some of my favorite books to read to 1 year olds are “GOODNIGHT MOON” BY MARGARET WISE BROWN, “WHERE’S SPOT?” BY ERIC HILL, “GIRAFFES CAN’T DANCE” BY GILES ANDREAE, “PEEK-A-WHO?” BY NINA LADEN, and “MOO, BAA, LA LA LA!” BY SANDRA BOYNTON.
Can 1 year olds understand books?
One-year-olds understand books. Books expose them to different vocabulary, situations, and emotions through characters. Sensory books with vibrant colors and feelings are also great for toddlers.
Is it too late to start reading to my 1 year old?
The earlier you start reading with your child, the better, but it’s never too late to start!
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