Baby Books Every New Parent Should Have

One of the sweetest (and secretly powerful) things you can do with your baby from the very beginning is read to them. Even though they might not understand the words just yet, the sound of your voice, the rhythm of the story, and the bonding that comes from cuddling up with a book all help lay the foundation for language, learning, and love.

So where do you start? With so many baby books out there—some adorable, some classic, and some just plain weird—it can be hard to know what’s worth the shelf space. That’s why we’ve put together a list of must-have picture books that every new parent should own. These are the ones you’ll reach for again and again—during bedtime routines, lazy Sunday mornings, or those fussy afternoons when only a cozy lap and a soothing story will do.

Black & White by Tana Hoban is so simple yet completely captivating. The high-contrast black-and-white images are perfect for a baby’s developing eyesight, and I love watching my little one stare, focus, and even smile at the bold shapes. It’s one of those books that doesn’t need words—just quiet, curious moments between us that feel really special.

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Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton is great for a baby’s development because it supports early language skills through rhythm, repetition, and sound play. The silly animal noises and playful rhymes help babies start to recognize different sounds and patterns in speech, which is an important building block for language development. Plus, the bold, expressive illustrations capture their attention and help with visual tracking. Reading it together also strengthens the parent-baby bond, which supports emotional and social development, too. It’s fun and foundational!

Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg is like a gentle game of hide-and-seek wrapped in a beautiful rhyme. The illustrations are soft and detailed, and my baby loved looking at the characters hiding on each page. It’s perfect for building early observation skills and encouraging interaction, even before they can talk. The rhythmic, sing-song text helps support language development, and I love how it introduces classic nursery rhyme characters in such a sweet and engaging way. It’s a calm, cozy read that we keep coming back to.