A Beginner’s Roadmap to Baby Books (including FREE books)
Sharing the world with babies is the best. Start with these books and help from the Tulsa City-County Library!
Would you believe me if I told you that I read several hundred picture books every year, reviewing and evaluating them for content, style, rhyme and pizzazz?
It’s true! As a Youth Librarian for the Tulsa City-County Library, I’m doing all of that reading because I lead a weekly Build A Reader storytime for babies, toddlers and their big people, and I want to choose the very best books for our youngest customers and their caregivers.
When it comes to reading, babies are the absolute best audience. You are literally sharing the world with them, and it’s all new, it’s all exciting!
Here’s a list of my absolute favorite books for babies, all of which – of course! – you can find on the shelves of the 24 Tulsa City-County Library locations (and the bookmobile!):
Sandra Boynton
Boynton’s books have been entertaining families for decades and are sure to build your confidence if you’re feeling unsure as you begin reading to your baby. Her books are genuinely funny and encourage silly sounds and voices. Her book Doggies is comprised mainly of different dog barks, so if you can make silly noises, you’re all set! Your child will have a favorite in no time, and you’ll be asked to read it again and again.
Who’s your Ramona?
Not sure what babies enjoy? Well, babies enjoy the same things you did when you were little! Look no further than the book or character that still gives you warm fuzzy feelings (I’m looking at you, Ramona Quimby). Perhaps it’s Goodnight Moon, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, or Frog and Toad. The library continues to purchase classic children’s titles that never go out of style for you to take home and share with your little one. As you read them to your baby, your enthusiasm will not only foster a love of reading but will also strengthen the bond between you and your child!
Hello World! series by Jill McDonald
Children’s nonfiction has come a long way, and these days there’s even nonfiction for babies. Nonfiction helps little ones learn about their world, and building background knowledge is a key component of building readers.
The Hello World! series of nonfiction board books by Jill McDonald contains more than 30 titles covering weather, space, dinosaurs, animals, habitats and more, all with exciting, vivid illustrations to keep little eyes interested. Each book cleverly layers simple text, in large bold print for babies, with more advanced text in smaller print for toddlers and preschoolers. The format provides a new level of learning as babies progress to the smaller, higher-level text. If your little one has older siblings, you can share the same book with them, meeting both baby and toddler where they are using different texts from the same book. Magic!
National Geographic’s Little Kid’s First Board Book series
National Geographic’s Little Kid’s First Board Book series is another nonfiction gem. Rather than illustrations, these books feature gorgeous, clear photographs of the high quality you’d expect from National Geographic. The text is large and sparse and, with the photographs, provides the perfect amount of information and stimuli to help babies learn more about their world.
Emma Dodd Picture Books
Emma Dodd’s books just beg to be shared during bedtime snuggles. Books like What Matters Most, How Big is Love? and I Believe in Me all have tender messages to affirm your children so they know from their youngest years that they are loved and valued and perfect just as they are. The artwork is always sweetly beautiful, often featuring an animal parent and child — a lovely way to end the day before saying goodnight.
More Books to Love
I could easily make this list a mile long. Instead, here are a few authors whose books you’ll often see in my weekly Baby & Toddler Storytimes: Lucy Cousins, Patty Rodriguez, Leslie Patricelli, Petr Horáček, Anna McQuinn, Liesbet Slegers, Kevin Henkes, Carole Boston Weatherford, Il Sung Na, Denise Fleming, and Guido Van Genechten. You can also find a fuller list at tccl.bibliocommons.com
Free Books for Kids Ages 0 through 5!
Finally, I can’t neglect to mention that Tulsa County children ages 0 through 5 can receive a FREE book every month until their fifth birthday through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Books are mailed directly to your child and will be age-appropriate, so as your little one grows, so will their library collection (and their knowledge and love of reading, we hope)! Find the Dolly Parton Imagination Library tab on the Tulsa Library website or return a paper form to any Tulsa City-County Library location.
In the meantime, never hesitate to ask a librarian if you have questions or would like assistance finding something specific for you and your baby. We love to help and are excited about parents and caregivers interested in beginning that reading journey.
The best thing to remember is that, if you’re reading to your baby, you’re doing it right!
