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 October 29, 2025
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Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Baby's firsts
Paper Book
"This well-designed book [is] an engaging choice for sharing with toddlers and babies as well." --Booklist As babies grow up, they experience many firsts. From their first bath to their first haircut, this book captures the joy in each one with charming photographs and sweet smiles...
Bed! Bed! Bed!
Florian, Douglas
Paper Book
Lead kids through their wind-down routine as they get ready for Bed! Bed! Bed!, the latest board book in the popular series for toddlers! A Best Children's Books of the Year [2025] -- Bank Street College of Education. Sweet dreams fill your head! head! head...
Black & white in color
Hoban, Tana
Paper Book
Best Books for Babies 2025 Chicago Public Library Best Board & Picture Books of 2024 From the acclaimed and bestselling creator Tana Hoban, this sturdy accordion-format board book features iconic black-and-white images of recognizable objects from a child's world accompanied by full...
I Can Help
Costello, David Hyde
Paper Book
Now in a board book! A much beloved and timeless tale about showing kindness and the power of paying it forward, featuring a cast of animal characters -- perfect for toddlers, preschools, and as a baby shower gift. "Uh-oh. I'm lost," a little duck says. "I can help,"...
Flora and friends colors
Idle, Molly
Paper Book
Brighten your day with the help of Flora and her rainbow of feathered friends, inspired by the Caldecott Honor-winning children's book Flora and the Flamingo. Birds of a feather learn colors together An instant hit upon its release, Flora and the Flamingo now celebrates over ten years in print....
Good Night, Belly Button
Brunelliere, Lucie.
Paper Book
Baby is ready to sleep, so it's time to say good night--all the way from toes to nose! With each new blanket-page longer than the previous one, the cozy check blanket gradually tucks the baby in. One by one, baby and parents together say good night to little feet, little knees, little legs...
Goodnight moon = Buenas noches, luna
Brown, Margaret Wise
Paper Book
This bilingual edition of the beloved classic Goodnight Moon is a perfect gentle introduction to new words in English and Spanish. Any toddler, and particularly those in bilingual pre-K programs, will enjoy Goodnight Moon/Buenas noches, Luna. Margaret Wise Brown's classic children's...
Just one more! : a bedtime book
Conlon, Mara
Paper Book
''A kiss good night. It's time for bed. It's time to rest your sleepy head.'' It's getting later and later, but little Capy isn't ready for bed just yet. ''One more book, one more song, one more drink . . . please!'' And just when Mommy and...
A little like magic
Kurpiel, Sarah
Paper Book
Winner of the Schneider Book Award and glistening with winter charm, this is an exhilarating, tender story of pushing past your comfort zone and finding inspiration in art and natural beauty. Our young narrator doesn't like itchy hats or cold wind, and she especially doesn't like...
Moo, baa, la la la!
Boynton, Sandra.
Paper Book
This raucous story about animals and the sounds they make, including three pigs who say "LA LA LA!" is a read-aloud favorite. Sandra Boynton's wildly popular, Moo, Baa, La La La!, features her lively and spirited text that introduces readers to animals and the noises they...
My first book of baby signs
Rebelo, Lane
Start communicating with your baby before they learn to speak! It's never too early to practice sign language with your child. This board book edition of My First Book of Baby Signs encourages you and your baby to learn new words and signs as you read together. You and your little one will...
That's not my dog... : its ears are too soft
Watt, Fiona
Paper Book
**Selected for THE BEST BOARD BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2025 EDITION** Babies and toddlers will love discovering dogs with soft ears, a fuzzy tongue and fluffy paws in That's not my dog... With their bright, bold, eye-catching illustrations and fuzzy, furry,...
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 101 Great Books for Kids ...
We All Play
Flett, Julie
Paper Book
The beloved book about playtime from award-winning Cree-Métis author and artist Julie Flett. Now available as a board book, We All Play is the perfect gift for a new baby or toddler! Named a Best Children's Book of the Year by New York Times, Washington...
When you find the right rock /
Ray, Mary Lyn
Paper Book
A marvelous exploration of the special relationship children find with the natural world and the fascination and friendship they find in special rocks, from poet Mary Lyn Ray and artist Felicita Sala. Somewhere, a rock is waiting for you. One just the right color for your windowsill, or just...
Where to hide a star /
Jeffers, Oliver
Paper Book
World-renowned artist and picture book creator Oliver Jeffers brings to life an endearing story about the magic of friendship--and sharing what brings us joy. Celebrate twenty years of The Boy in this highly anticipated new adventure from the internationally bestselling picture...

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