2025 Recommended Baby Books @ Sussex County Library System!

As depicted by the Association for Library Services for Children, babies need words every day: talk, read, sing, and play.This resource was created to help provide recommended board books and picture books that can help build children’s literacy skills. These books are available at the Sussex County Library System.


Updated July 8, 2025
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Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Big Bear and Little Bear go fishing /
Hest, Amy
Paper Book
An unhurried fishing trip, with blueberry scones in tow, introduces a new bear duo sure to charm fans of Little Bear and Frog and Toad. One day Big Bear says to Little Bear, I'm just in the mood for fishing. Me, too, says Little Bear. Just in the mood...
Emma full of wonders /
Cooper, Elisha
Paper Book
Emma is a big dog with a lot of little dreams. She dreams of a cool roll in the grass, a warm spring walk, and food, of course. Every day her dreams get bigger, and bigger, until one day...they all come true! A beautiful classic-in-the-making,...
The good little mermaid's guide to bedtime /
Sumner, Eija
Paper Book
This little mermaid is too FIERCE and SCARY and FEROCIOUS to follow The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime . . . well, except the part about snuggling her shark stuffie. A hilarious picture book for kids ages 3 to 7 who are experts at resisting sleep. Once upon an...
Jump for Joy /
Ruelle, Karen Gray
Paper Book
Kid seeks dog. Dog seeks kid. In this charming and imaginative tale of friendship, picture book readers will delight in what it means to have a furry best friend. For as long as she can remember, Joy has wanted a dog. It doesn't matter what kind: big, little, spotted, curly. She...
Knight Owl and Early Bird /
Denise, Christopher,
Paper Book
A New York Times and Indie Bestseller * In this exciting adventure and follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Honor award-winning classic, Knight Owl makes an unlikely friend in the over-zealous Early Bird--who wants to be a brave knight,...
Love is my favorite color /
Laden, Nina
Paper Book
A sparkling and tender picture book about all the things that are bright and loving in the world and fill our lives with joy. From caring to hoping to peace to sharing, there are many ways to find joy in the everyday. Celebrate the things that make life wonderful and each day...
My book and me /
Park, Linda Sue
Paper Book
A celebration of books and reading from Newbery medal winner Linda Sue Park and illustrated by two-time Caldecott medal winner, Chris Raschka. This is my book. My favorite book. I carry it with me wherever I go. Meet the child who loves books in this...
One giant leap /
Lam, Thao
Paper Book
A playful wordless story about the power of imagination and creativity in play A child zips up their orange suit, pulls on a pair of boots, and adjusts their hat. They're ready for an adventure. But where are they going? With the push of an elevator button, their adventure begins, and they...
Pretty ugly :
Sedaris, David
Paper Book
Amazon Best Children's Book of the Year winner for ages 6 to 8 Most Anticipated Books of 2024 List, Kirkus Reviews Most Anticipated Kids Books List - February, Barnes & Noble Kids Indie Next Pick March/April 2024 2025 Capitol Choices A...
The teeny-weeny unicorn /
Harris, Shawn
Paper Book
Meet this pint-sized unicorn in this funny, modern fairy tale about perception and self-confidence from a Caldecott-Honor winning creator. Once upon a time, in a land where horses were mythical beasts, there lived a unicorn-a Teeny-Weeny Unicorn. He lived with his family in a...
There was a shadow /
Handy, Bruce
Paper Book
From New York Times Best Children's Book author Bruce Handy, a luminous picture book that invites careful observation of light and shadow in the natural world, as well as in our own emotional landscape. A New York Times Best Children's Book of...
This baby. That baby /
Best, Cari
Paper Book
In this bouncy, playful picture book for very young listeners, follow two baby friends who live in facing buildings through their day--playing, singing, and napping--till they meet in the park! Somewhere in the big, big city two happy babies look out their morning...
Touch the sky /
Lucianovic, Stephanie V. W.
Paper Book
Praise for Touch the Sky by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic, illustrated by Chris Park: Booklist Editor's Choice A Kirkus Best Picture Book NPR Best Books of the Year Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books Evanston Public Library...
Two together /
Wenzel, Brendan
Paper Book
In this companion book to They All Saw a Cat and Inside Cat, a journey home leads to unexpected adventures for a cat and dog. A playful, imaginative story of friendship, empathy, and discovery by Caldecott Honor winner Brendan Wenzel. Cat and Dog...
What's new, Daniel? /
Archer, Micha,
Paper Book
Caldecott Honor winner Micha Archer's gloriously detailed collages invite readers into Daniel's blossoming world, encouraging them to appreciate all the wonderful new things in their own lives, big and small. "What's new?" We casually say this to each other all the time, but when...
Where to Hide a Star
Jeffers, Oliver.
Paper Book
Celebrate twenty years of The Boy in this highly anticipated new adventure from the internationally bestselling picture book creator of Lost and Found Oliver Jeffers! "Jeffers has not lost his lovely knack for weaving fantastical elements into depictions of everyday life ......
The wrong book /
Daywalt, Drew
Paper Book
What if the narrator of the book you're reading is just...WRONG?! This hilarious book from the author of The Day the Crayons Quit will have you correcting what you're reading--and laughing! Do bicycles say cock-a-doodle-doo? Do firefighters shout Ding Dong!<...

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