11 Of The Best Baby Books That Won't Make You Groan Before Every Read (You May Even Love Them)

Filled with furry bits and reflective mirrors, this childhood classic will carry your tiny one right from tummy time to toddlerhood. Teach your baby a little bit about what a full day feels like, complete with dinner-time essentials and a break down of activities. Then watch as they fondle each page in amazement.

This board book is anything but boring if you’re good at animal noises (and honestly, you should be pretty good at animal noises by now) and will charm your baby for years. Babies will love the surprise appearances by furry friends and parents will enjoy watching the shock on their faces as you lift each flap.

Who needs to get into all the details of some of our most beloved stories when you can read this cliff notes-inspired short tale distilled just for babies? Hit all the high points of the festive story in this colorful and beautifully illustrated story.

There won’t be a dry eye in the bedroom when you read this touching and inspiring book about how much you love your little stranger. Sure, the hand-drawn illustrations are imaginative and sweet, but really the message that your love will never end is enough to make even the toughest parent shed a tear.

If you don’t already have a pet in addition to your baby, your life is about to be filled with a lot of suggestions to get one — but this book will put a stop to impractical suggestions because, who really can afford to keep a dinosaur in the house? The adorable story will enchant your little guy or girl and the message will help parents shy away from committing to an additional member of the family — for a little while.

With a bookshelf full of pirate tales and mystical moments, sometimes it’s refreshing to read a little story about an elephant taxi driver (Tuski) who has to schlep everybody around without so much as a thank you — sound familiar? Teach colors, animals, and objects along the way in this harrowing story, even when it all falls apart for our protagonist.

Technically, this book is for early readers, but you are going to want to get a jump start with this hilarious story of disgruntled livestock. Babies adore the many animal sounds you’ll be forced to make in between fits of laughter.

Alright, so this one might just be for the parents, but it is essential on our list. The title says it all and you will be saying it plenty once parenthood gets underway if it hasn’t already.

This must-have book will be given to you by someone at some point and for good reason. The simple, lulling pictures and calming story of a quiet room are all poised to make saying goodnight a breeze. You’ll be “whispering hush” for ages.

Relive your childhood through your kid’s eyes with this timeless tale about a caterpillar with a healthy appetite that transforms into a beautiful butterfly. The board book can also help teach tots about different days of the week, foods, and numbers.

Not all heroes wear capes and not all books need words. Designed for babies ranging from six weeks to six months, this high-contrast board book will have your mini mesmerized with swirling shapes and geometric patterns. Think of this as a must-have for tummy time entertainment.