23 best baby books for their first year

Finding the best baby books for their first year can be difficult, as they're too little to read and it's hard knowing what the best children's books will be and how they'll benefit their development.

If you're not sure when to start reading to your baby, you should know that reading is one of the best things you can do to bond with them, it can help to establish a bedtime routine and it helps with their language development, so there's really no reason to delay reading to them!

According to KidsHealth, reading aloud to your baby can also help to teach communication, introduces new concepts and information in a fun way, and builds skills. So, the more you read to your child, the more they'll be able to build up an awareness of the world around them.

From black and white baby books to the best books for first-time parents, we've found out the books you should be reading to your newborn throughout their first year.

•Best for a classic baby book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar - View offer on Amazon
•Best for a black and white baby book: Baby Touch: My First Book - View offer on Amazon
•Best for a baby book keepsake: Guess How Much I Love You - View offer on Amazon
•Best for an animal baby book: The Noisy Farmyard - View offer on Kidly

Best books for babies and toddlers: All you need to know

Why is it important to read to my baby?

Creating a bedtime routine: Even though your newborn is still too little to understand what you are saying, it is a soothing ritual to start from a young age.

Learning to talk: Your baby will settle with the sound of your voice, and will subconsciously pick up the rhythms, tones, and inflexions of your voice which can help when they learn to read later on.

Developing eyesight: The stories might be too complex, but from birth to around three months old, your baby is learning to focus their eyes on simple patterns. All of these books will have bright illustrations, shapes, and letters to occupy your baby.

Storytelling skills: Your baby will develop their own imagination in time and storytelling will be a big part of this. Reading to your baby from an early age can encourage this.

Developing empathy: Scientists have found that children who have stories read to them regularly show more empathy and find it easier to understand people.

Extending understanding: As your tot gets older, at the end of storytime stop and ask them ‘why do you think this character did that’ — this can help your child develop their understanding and vocabulary.

What makes a good baby book?

When creating our list of the best baby books for those under 12 months, we took into consideration these features which we think make for the best book for your baby:

Strong characters: Fun, strong characters will keep your little one mesmerised and engaged following them through the book. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Spot and Peter Rabbit are some classic characters loved by babies, young children and parents too!

Brilliant illustrations and vocabulary: Books with bright and colourful pictures and beautiful illustrations will help keep your baby captivated along with repetition and rhyme.

Sensory interaction: Encouraging your baby to touch, feel and play with tactile materials and lift-the-flaps will not only make them smile but provide them with sensory stimulation, great for early development. Cloth books are brilliant for that sensory aspect too.

Board books: Not all the books on this list are board books but the majority are. Board books are great for babies. They're more durable, robust and remove the risk of papercuts from your child eagerly wanting to turn the page.

Opportunities to learn: As well as helping your baby to develop their vocabulary, understanding and imagination, some of these books provide your little one with the chance to learn more about the world around them; from feelings to animals and cultures to counting.

Emily Gilbert is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.