Books for Babies

Early experiences with books and language lay the foundation for success in learning to read. You can help build reading readiness. Talk, sing, read, write and play with your child - all of these activities help to develop language and literacy skills. Use this list of recommended stories to celebrate the joy of reading with your child.

Updated March 28, 2024
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
123 Zoom
Urban, Chieu Anh
Paper Book
Kids will learn to count and write numbers in this fun, colorful, and interactive hands-on novelty book from the talented Chiêu Anh Urban! Stylistic in design, this colorful and interactive counting book invites youngest readers to zoom on trains, submarines, spaceships,...
Now that you're here
Brantz, Loryn
Paper Book
From bestselling Feminist Baby and It Had to Be You creator Loryn Brantz comes a fun-filled high-contrast black-and-white board book that celebrates the experiences kids of all abilities may have with their loved ones Now that you're here, there's so much we can do. We've...
My Little Ogichidaa : An Indigenous Lullaby
Poll, Willie/ Pichette, Hawlii (ILT)
Paper Book
My Little Ogichidaa is inspired by Indigenous motherhood. It invites readers to explore the compelling dreams and hopes of an Indigenous parent for her soon-to-be-born warrior. The word Ogichidaa itself means warrior in Anishinaabemowin, and this beautifully illustrated book is a tribute to...
The numbers store
Green, Harold, III
Paper Book
This stunning, early-concept board book series features an intergenerational Black family over the course of a day at the local grocery store, as readers learn colors and numbers.  When Mom realizes there are zero eggs in the house, the entire family heads to...
You are new
Knisley, Lucy
Paper Book
A world of being new is waiting-exciting, cool, and fascinating! Napping, crying, cuddling, playing, making friends, exploring such a wealth of experiences await each new life. With humour, honesty, and sweetness, award-winning author/artist Lucy Knisley celebrates the joys of a new baby and the...
Leo at the park
McQuinn, Anna
Paper Book
Leo, Lola's little brother, is back with a fun-filled day with Mom at the park! A perfect everyday read-aloud for little ones, this playful spin-off of the best-selling Lola Reads series is sure to delight. Leo is hot hot hot! So he and Mommy head to the park to cool...
Calm
Roberts, Jillian
Paper Book
Key Selling Points Dr. Roberts is a child psychologist, professor and author who is a regular contributor to HuffPost, Global News and CBC. This book offers a gentle reminder for adults that keeping themselves calm is important to be able to bring an upset child into a state...
My moms love me
Membrino, Anna
Paper Book
Cuddle up and celebrate love in this picture book that shines a spotlight on LGBTQ+ moms! "A hug from Mommy, warm and tight. A squeeze from Mama feels just right. This is how my mommies say, 'We love you, baby, night and day!"' Two...
Also available in eBook format.
Little you
Van Camp, Richard.
Paper Book
Key Selling Points Illustrator Julie Flett received a BolognaRagazzi Special Mention (2019) for her book with Richard Van Camp, We Sang You Home. Little Youhas been translated into more than five languages, including Bush Cree, South Slavey, Chipewyan, Spanish, French and...
Canadian author.
Little you
Van Camp, Richard
Paper Book
Key Selling Points Illustrator Julie Flett received a BolognaRagazzi Special Mention (2019) for her book with Richard Van Camp, We Sang You Home. Little Youhas been translated into more than five languages, including Bush Cree, South Slavey, Chipewyan, Spanish, French and...
Little you
Van Camp, Richard
Paper Book
Key Selling Points Illustrator Julie Flett received a BolognaRagazzi Special Mention (2019) for her book with Richard Van Camp, We Sang You Home. Little Youhas been translated into more than five languages, including Bush Cree, South Slavey, Chipewyan, Spanish, French and...
Little you
Van Camp, Richard
Paper Book
Key Selling Points Illustrator Julie Flett received a BolognaRagazzi Special Mention (2019) for her book with Richard Van Camp, We Sang You Home. Little Youhas been translated into more than five languages, including Bush Cree, South Slavey, Chipewyan, Spanish, French and...
Little you
Van Camp, Richard
Paper Book
Key Selling Points Illustrator Julie Flett received a BolognaRagazzi Special Mention (2019) for her book with Richard Van Camp, We Sang You Home. Little Youhas been translated into more than five languages, including Bush Cree, South Slavey, Chipewyan, Spanish, French and...
Babymoon
Barrett, Hayley
Paper Book
In a perfect gift for new and expectant parents (and siblings), a gentle story pays tribute to the wonder and emotion of a family's first quiet days with a newborn. The house is hushed. The lights are low. We're basking in a newborn glow. Inside...
Love you head to toe
Barron, Ashley
Paper Book
Pairing creative rhyming similes with cut-paper collage art, Love You Head to Toeis an adorable book that compares newborn babies to baby animals on every page. Bright, playful illustrations show a different baby and a different species of animal, both engaged in similar behavior: babies...
Canadian author.
Sugar pie lullaby : the soul of Motown in a song of love
Weatherford, Carole Boston
Paper Book
Celebrate family love with this heartwarming and soulful bedtime book perfect for toddlers 1-3 from the 2025-2026 Young People's Poet Laureate! Shoo-be-do-wop along with your little one as you introduce them to the legendary music of the Motown era. Heartfelt text and whimsical...
Love
de la Pen?a, Matt
Paper Book
#1NEW YORK TIMESBESTSELLER " A poetic reckoning of the importance of love in a child's life . . . eloquent and moving."-People "Everything that can be called love -- from shared joy to comfort in the darkness -- is gathered in the pages of this...
?m ?os??ikones = Dear dandelion
Okemow, SJ
Paper Book
A debut picture book that celebrates self-love, care, and resilience with one of the most widespread plants--the dandelion. Both a love letter to the dandelion and a call to love ourselves in a difficult world, Âmî Osâwâpikones reminds us that we are not defined as others see us. Following...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.