Baby Books that Make Great Baby Shower Gifts
By Laura Lambert
It’s never too early to start building baby’s library—even before birth. That’s because a child’s library is like a wish for what’s to come. Well before first words, or even before a baby can grasp a book on her own, we read to them about colors, numbers, animals and the changing seasons. For babies- and parents-to-be, simple books that engage the senses help establish early learning, bonding and the lifelong habit of being a reader.
Colors with Ladybug
Right up there with numbers and letters, colors are one of the first things we teach our children. In this touch and feel book, we ask young fingers to trace red trails, then orange, then yellow—and so on through the rainbow—until our ladybug has a full set of multi-colored boots, thanks to her animal friends. With a delightful mix of illustration styles, this title engages a child on many different levels.
Good Night, Baby Moon
No child’s library is complete without a section dedicated to the bedtime story. The best bedtime stories introduce calm and quiet and even a sense of reflection. Good Night, Baby Moon introduces baby to the moon itself, and her phases, as well as the colors of nighttime with its lyrical shadowscapes. The light up feature is sure to delight.
Is It Warm Enough for Ice Cream?
In this sweet, point-and-look book about the seasons, we inquire about many a child’s favorite topic: ice cream. Is fall warm enough for ice cream? Maybe, amidst the changing leaves and rising winds. What about spring? Bright illustrations and simple phrases will help children understand weather and our seasonal calendar.
I Can Grow a Flower
Kids of a certain age love to get their hands dirty—and the garden is the perfect place for all kinds of life lessons. I Can Grow a Flower helps little ones understand the life cycle of a plant, in fun, lift-the-flap style and with bold images that combine illustration and photography. But perhaps most importantly, the book includes a pullout height chart, where families can track the most magical growth of all—their own child.
Jonah and the Whale
When in doubt, start with the classics. For Christian households, the storytelling in the Bible is part of the fabric of Sunday school and home life, filled with words to live by. Jonah and the Whale, here in extra large format, helps children understand the concepts of forgiveness and second chances. The distinctive illustrations, by Giuseppe De Lernia, will keep little eyes engaged, while the dramatic storytelling draws in kids of all ages.
Noah's Ark
Another classic Bible story, also illustrated by Giuseppe Di Lernia. Children will become familiar with the tale of Noah and his ark, and parents can also teach them about animals Noah brings with him. Along with Jonah and the Whale, it makes for the beginnings of a Biblical children’s library.
Laura Lambert is a writer, editor and mother of two living in Los Angeles. She blogs for Brightly, a Penguin Random House site that helps parents raise kids who love to read.