Do you have a baby or toddler at home? Then you are probably constantly trying to find new books to engage and entertain them.
Toddlers are just starting to develop their own personalities, and they are eager to learn about the world around them. A great way to introduce new concepts and ideas is through a kids book.
We know that reading is an important part of early childhood development. That's why we've compiled this list of the best books for 1 year olds. Reading with your baby or toddler is a great way to bond, and it will help them learn and grow.
In this article, we will discuss some of the best books for 1 year olds that are sure to engage and entertain your little one!
How We Choose
It can be tough to find the best books for 1 year olds. You don't want to waste your time reading a story that your child won't enjoy.
Babies and toddlers are constantly learning and growing, so it's important to give them the best start in life by providing them with age-appropriate books.
I've read thousands of reviews on Amazon so that you don't have to. I'll review the books for best overall, as well as the best classic book, best bedtime story, alphabet book, and many more.
We hope this list will help you find the best for your child! Each product was independently selected and if you decide to buy something from the links on this page TinyTotReviews may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Why We Love It
Looking for a gift that will nurture your kids' love of learning?
My First Library by Wonder House Books is the perfect choice! This box set of 10 board books introduces a wide range of topics, from colors and shapes to numbers and animals plus many more.
Each colorful book is filled with vibrant colorful pictures, plus word labels for every picture to help build your kids' vocabulary.
In addition, this makes a great gift for baby showers, birthdays, or any special occasion.
Good to Know
My First Library by Wonder House Books covers the ABCs, Numbers, Shapes, Colors, Wild Animals, Farm Animals and Pets, Birds, Fruits, Vegetables and Transport.
These books have been well-researched to give your toddlers a great learning experience and they use real pictures instead of cartoon pictures.
Plus, the books are made from durable board material, so they can withstand plenty of love and use from your toddler. I highly recommend this set for any parent who is looking for a great way to help their toddler learn.
Why We Love It
The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been a favorite among babies and toddlers for generations.
It's a classic board book that is sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds! This makes it a great gift for new parents and babies, toddler birthdays, baby showers, and many more occasions.
The book has beautiful artwork with wonderful bright colors for your baby or young toddler to enjoy. In addition to being visually stimulating, The Very Hungry Caterpillar also helps your small child learn the days of the week and counting.
If you're looking for an engaging and educational story for your young child, look no further than The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
Good to Know
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a classic children's book that has been beloved by young readers for generations.
This charming story follows a hungry caterpillar as he munches his way through a variety of snacks during the course of a week. Eventually, he builds himself a cocoon and emerges as a beautiful butterfly.
The simple text and vibrant illustrations make this an ideal story for bedtime, daytime, or snack-time reading.
Best of all, the book is available in more than 70 languages, so it can be enjoyed by children all over the world.
Author Eric Carle has written more than seventy books, but The Very Hungry Caterpillar remains one of his most beloved works.
Why We Love It
Looking for a bedtime story that will soothe and calm your little one?
Look no further than Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. This true classic has been enjoyed by generations, and for good reason!
The book's soft poetry and illustrations that are soft and calming are perfect for winding down at the end of the day.
Plus, it's a great way to introduce your toddler to some of the most important things in their world: home, family, and the natural world around them.
Good to Know
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown holds a special place in the hearts of parents and children alike.
This short poem captures the simple act of a little bunny saying good night to the objects in its room. As the little bunny does so, parents can also teach their child about the world around them.
By pointing out and naming the various objects in the room, parents can help their toddler learn new words and build their vocabulary. At the same time, this activity can also be a soothing way to wind down before bedtime.
Reading Goodnight Moon before bed is sure to be a cherished part of your bedtime routine. So snuggle up with your tiny tot and enjoy this timeless classic today!
Why We Love It
Looking for a fun and interactive way to spend some quality time with your little one? Then check out Where is Baby’s Belly Button? By Karen Katz.
This lift the flap book is not only super cute, but it’s also a great way for your child to learn about different parts of the body.
As you read through the book, it asks questions like “Where are the Baby’s hands?” and then you lift open the flap on the page to reveal the answer.
Not only will your child have a blast playing peekaboo with you, but they’ll also be learning valuable information at the same time.
Good to Know
Karen Katz's Where is Baby's Belly Button? is a beloved classic among children's books, perfect for ages 1-3 years old.
Katz's illustrations are colorful and playful, perfectly capturing the innocence and curiosity of childhood.
With over 50 picture books to her name, Karen Katz is a prolific author and illustrator who has charmed readers of all ages with her delightful stories and illustrations.
Where is Baby's Belly Button? is undoubtedly her best-seller, but each of her books is sure to fill children with warmth, laughter, and a love of reading.
Best Alphabet Book
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Why We Love It
Are you looking for a fun and educational board book for your baby or toddler?
If so, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault is the perfect choice! This classic story features a lively alphabet rhyme where all the letters of the alphabet race each other up a coconut tree.
Not only is it great for helping your toddler learn their ABCs, but the colorful pictures are sure to keep them entertained.
This book is a great way to teach your child the alphabet and help them develop a love for reading.
Good to Know
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom has been a childhood favorite for over thirty years.
The author Bill Martin Jr. has written more than 300 books for children and the John Archambault is a poet, journalist, and storyteller who has worked with Bill Martin Jr. on countless projects.
The rhyming in this book helps engage children and helps them learn their letters faster. The story is simple but engaging, and the illustrations are vibrant and enjoyable.
This book is a classic for a reason, and it's sure to delight kids of all ages. If you're looking for a fun and educational book for your child, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a great choice.
Why We Love It
Around the Farm by Eric Carle is an interactive book for toddlers that helps engage young children and stimulate the imagination.
This book has 30 different sound buttons your toddler can press while reading, which creates a hands-on multisensory reading experience.
This book is perfect for curious minds who want to explore the exciting world of farms.
With vibrant illustrations and catchy animal sounds, Around the Farm will be a favorite book in your home in no time!
Good to Know
Around the Farm is a fun and educational book that helps your child learn about animals and the different noises animals make while also building their language and reading skills.
This book is full of color and includes the sounds of 30 different animals, including a bull, goat, pig, duck, rabbit, and Eric Carle's famous very hungry caterpillar.
This book is perfect for 1-2 year olds and will help them learn about the different sounds animals make, as well as simple words.
Whether your child is an animal lover or you are looking for a way to help them develop their reading skills, Around the Farm is the perfect book for you!
Why We Love It
Sandra Boynton's Opposites is a delightful board book that teaches toddlers about opposite things in a fun and engaging way.
The cartoon animal characters are sure to capture your child's attention, and the rhyming text makes learning about opposites easy and enjoyable.
This is a great book for helping your child develop language skills and learn about the world around them.
Good to Know
With its 16 fun-filled pages, Opposites by Sandra Boynton is the perfect book for young toddlers aged 1-3.
Written and illustrated by the multi-talented Sandra Boynton, this book introduces your child to a variety of opposites through the use of delightful characters and rhyming text.
From WET and DRY to HELLO and GOODBYE, your toddler will love learning about all the different opposites in this fantastic book.
With its engaging illustrations and simple text, Opposites is sure to become a favorite in your toddler's library.
Why We Love It
Looking for a fun and interactive book that both you and your child will enjoy? Look no further than Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell!
Published in the 1980s, this timeless classic has been a favorite among toddlers and parents alike.
In the book, kids help to find the perfect pet for the protagonist by lifting the flaps to discover which animals the zoo has sent. With each new animal comes a new learning opportunity, as kids are introduced to different species and their unique characteristics.
Not only is Dear Zoo a fun way to spend some time together, but it's also a great way to encourage your child's love of reading.
If you're looking for a delightful book to share with your little one, Dear Zoo is sure to please.
Good to Know
Dear Zoo is a fantastic book for kids 1-3 years old. This book has bright colors and catchy phrases.
Rod Campbell is known for writing books for babies and toddlers but he is best known for Dear Zoo which has sold over two million copies worldwide.
The illustrations in this book are eye-catching and charming, and the simple text is perfect for young readers.
So why not add this classic to your child's bookshelf today?
Why We Love It
Looking for a fun and entertaining book for your toddler who loves cars and trucks? Look no further than the Little Blue Truck board book!
This book is full of truck sounds and animal noises that will keep your little one entertained for hours.
And not only is it fun, but it also sends an important message about being kind to animals and others.
Your toddler will be sure to love this fun and educational board book.
Good to Know
Little Blue Truck is the first in a series of much-loved children's books. The little blue truck goes on all sorts of other adventures, meeting new friends and learning valuable lessons along the way.
The other books in the series include Little Blue Truck Leads the Way, Little Blue Truck's Christmas, and Little Blue Truck's Springtime along with many others.
Each book is filled with charming illustrations and delightful rhyming text. This board book is great for kids 1-3 years of age.
So if your child loves cars and/or animals, be sure to check out the Little Blue Truck series.
Books For 1-Year-Olds FAQs
It can be hard to know what stories are good for 1 year olds.
You want to make sure that they're getting the best possible start in life, but you don't know where to start.
We've got you covered. This list of frequently asked questions about books for 1 year olds will help you make the right choice for your child.
Are books a good gift for one year olds?
Yes, books are a great gift for them! They provide wonderful opportunities for learning and exploration, and can help stimulate your child's development in a variety of ways.
Plus, they're a fun way to encourage reading and early literacy skills. So if you're looking for a meaningful and educational present for your one year old, look no further than books!
How do I get my one year old into books?
Start with board books. Board books are made out of thick cardboard and have large, simple illustrations that are easy for a baby to focus on. Try to find books that are interesting to your baby and that have characters or objects that they like.
Some good topics for board books include animals, vehicles, food, colors, and counting. Be sure to read the story aloud to your baby and ask them questions about the colorful pictures.
Point out different things in the illustrations and ask your baby to name them.
Encouraging a love of reading from an early age will set your child up for a lifelong love of learning.
Should you read to a 1 year old?
Yes, reading to a 1 year old is a great way to help with language development.
It's important to start reading to your child as early as possible. Reading develops vocabulary, grammar skills, and story comprehension. It also helps with bonding and relationship building.
Reading to a 1 year old can be as simple as pointing out the pictures and naming the objects in them.
As your child gets older, you can start reading longer stories and discuss the plot with them.
Can you teach a 1 year old to read?
Not exactly, but early exposure to letters, words, and numbers helps to foster this skill, for when they are more developmentally ready to learn the actual skill of reading. Most children are able to learn how to read between the ages of 5-7 years old.
The ability to read is not a natural skill that children are born with. It is a skill that must be learned and developed over time.
There are a variety of methods that can be used to teach a child how to read. However, the most important thing is for the child to be given plenty of practice and exposure to reading aloud and making connections between letters and sounds.
Best Books for Your 1 Year Old
One of the best gifts you can give a one-year-old is a book.
Reading to your child is a great way to help them learn and grow, and there are plenty of fantastic books available for toddlers.
We've put together a list of our favorite books for 1 year olds, so you can be sure your child gets the best possible start in life.
Whether you're looking for educational books or just good old-fashioned fun, we've got you covered.
Tap the button to check the price on your favorite book for your toddler and happy reading!
