Beyond Goodnight Moon and Pat the Bunny … past Sandra Boynton and Eric Carle – there are so many absolutely wonderful, lesser known board books that we wanted to share them with you.
These are baby shower gift ideas the expectant mom will love receiving – and that will stay on the bookshelf for years to come!
1. Tumble Bumble by Felicia Bond
A perfect fun, rhyming book full of playful animals, this book is sure to keep the attention the wiggliest of little ones.
Find Tumble Bumble on Amazon.com
2. All of Baby Nose to Toes by Victoria Adler
Rhyming fun that asks a the question “Who loves baby’s (eyes/ toes/ nose) every other page. This book teaches toddlers “call and respond” in a fun, sweet way.
Find All of Baby Nose to Toes on Amazon.com
3. The Nice Book by David Ezra Stein
Exceptional artwork – finger paints and colored pencils – makes this book visually amazing. The simple and friendly messages about talking, sharing and helping teach what the words “Be Nice” truly mean.
Find The Nice Book on Amazon.com
4. Peekaboo! by Taro Gomi
A book with two holes for eyes, this book doubles as a series of fun masks! Toddlers delight in seeing mom or dad peeking through the holes at them – and wearing the “book masks” themselves!
Find Peekaboo! on Amazon.com
5. Where is my Friend? by Simms Tabak
A lift-the-flap book, each page features an animal looking for his/her lost friend. Babies love turning the small pages and finding the hidden animal. Hooray!
Find Where is My Friend? on Amazon.com
Note: This book is rare and hard to find – our copy was picked from a pile at the thrift store. Amazon does have sellers with new and used copies.
6. Whose Toes Are Those? by Sally Symes
Another adorable lift-the-flap book! Each page has clues for your little one to learn which toes, tail, and nose belongs to different animals! So cute!
Find Whose Toes are Those? on Amazon.com
7. Sweet Dreams Lullaby by Betsy E. Snyder
Set to the rhythm of “Hush Little Baby”, this book changes the words and sends your little one off to sleep with a headful of wonderful images and thoughts. The illustrations are stunning and it lasts just long enough to settle down even the squirmiest toddlers!
Find Sweet Dreams Lullaby on Amazon.com
8. Hush Little Baby by Sylvia Long
Based on the classic children’s song, this books takes it in a really wholesome direction. Rather than buying different things to make her baby happy, she guides the little one to look to their own world for fulfillment. Really touching!
Find Hush Little Baby on Amazon.com
9. Splish! Splash! by Nicola Smee
Babies love this book! A sweet, easy rhyme with images baby can recognize (mama, baby, duck, dog) and fun first words! The end has a little touch-and-feel surprise of a soft terry cloth towel. Sweet!
Find Splish! Splash! on Amazon.com
10. A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
Okay, this one isn’t for everyone, but for the right person it’s PERFECT. I’d never seen anything like it before. Just click the link and look inside..
Find A is for Activist on Amazon.com
