Have the Happiest Board Book Library on the Block
You’ve mastered the art of soothing your baby with the five s’s from Harvey Karp’s The Happiest Baby on the Block, so now it’s time to build out that board book library to make sure yours is the sunniest, most colorful collection on the whole street (babies really do gossip about this amongst themselves). Check out our picks to give you the happiest assortment of board books on the block.
{{ product: 9780689835605 }}Where Is Baby’s Belly Button?, by Karen Katz
Babies love to play peek-a-boo, so they’ll have tons of fun with this colorful Karen Katz creation, lifting the flaps to reveal baby’s hands, baby’s eyes, and—of course—baby’s belly button. Kiddos will like the little surprises on every page, and parents will appreciate the book’s sturdy construction.
LMNO Peas, by Keith Baker
The alphabet peas are a busy bunch, taking you and your little ones through the ABCs with their many hobbies and occupations, from acrobats and artists, all the way to zoologists. With its bouncy rhymes and playful illustrations, this board book will make an awesome addition to your library.
On the Night You Were Born, by Nancy Tillman
The night your baby was born was a magical one—the moon smiled, the wind and rain whispered their name, and polar bears danced. This sweet book full of enchanting illustrations commemorates the occasion and shows your kids just how special you know they are.
The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats
This beloved Caldecott Medal–winning children’s book is an absolute necessity for your board book collection. In it, Peter wakes up one morning to find his urban neighborhood blanketed in snow, and he can’t wait to go exploring. Join him on his chilly adventures.
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!, by Dr. Seuss
A Dr. Seuss classic gets the board book treatment and maintains all the charm and whimsy in this trimmed-down edition. It’s a great way to introduce the littlest ones to the magic of Dr. Seuss’s rhymes and his fantastical creatures with subjects that will appeal to them—colors, day and night, and light and dark.
Little Blue Truck, by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry
Beep! Croak! Oink! Moo! Kids will love all of the vehicle and animal sounds in this fun little book about a truck that gets stuck in the mud while trying to help out a dump truck. Good thing he made all those animal friends along the way. Little ones will request this rhyming tale with the colorful illustrations again and again.
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, by Eileen Christelow
“Five little monkeys jumping on the bed…” Everyone knows how this tale goes with each of these goofy monkeys falling off the bed, leading Mama Monkey to make a series of calls to the doctor, who has some very sage advice. The silly pictures of these expressive monkeys are sure to keep the kiddos entertained.
Dear Zoo, by Rod Campbell
This classic is more than 30 years old, but it will continue to be a keepsake for generations to come. It’s about a child who writes a letter to the zoo requesting the perfect pet. Kids will love lifting the flaps on each page to reveal what animal the zoo has sent this time.
Moo!, by David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka
Cow is taking the farmer’s car for a joyride but bumps into some trouble along the way. The word “moo” takes on many meanings in this imaginative and silly tale, and it’s the only word this expressive cow needs—and the only one in the whole book!—to entertain readers.
The Runaway Bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
This sweet story has been around for more than 75 years, and it continues to be a timeless tale. A little bunny keeps telling his mother he will run away by turning into a fish, a bird, and even a flower—but she tells him that, no matter what, she will always find him. The colorful spreads of the bunny’s imaginary transformations are a delight.
Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram
“I love you right up to the moon—and back.” The quote that adorns so many nursery walls comes from this adorable tale of Little Nutbrown Hare and his daddy, Big Nutbrown Hare, and how much they love each other—a sweet addition to everyone’s library.
Duck & Goose, by Tad Hills
The youngest Duck and Goose fans will enjoy the abridged version of this funny children’s tale about two birds who accidentally mistake a ball for a giant egg. These feathered friends must learn how to work together if they’re going to take care of their find.
Charley Harper ABCs, by Charley Harper
Introduce baby to the alphabet through the colorful wildlife illustrations of American artist Charley Harper. The vivid but minimalist drawings will give tots a delightful intro to their ABCs with a hefty dash of art history.
Perfect Piggies!, by Sandra Boynton
Like all of Sandra Boynton’s more than 40 children’s books, Perfect Piggies! is a delightful book to read aloud. Little ones will love the silly illustrations and the rocking rhyming and rhythm. Plus, the message that “we are all perfect piggies” is one that it’s never too early to learn.
Hug Time, by Patrick McDonnell
Sweet little kitten Jules is so full of love that he wants to give the whole world a hug in this adorable board book that encourages kindness. Jules has a hug to-do list that takes him around the globe spreading the love, and kids will enjoy journeying with him.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Bill Martin, Jr. and Eric Carle
This interactive board book is filled with the vivid, bold, and colorful illustrations of a brown bear, yellow duck, purple cat, and more. Kiddos can slide open the little panels on each page spread to find out what animal is next up in this rhythmic rhyming tale with a question-and-answer format.
Good Night, Gorilla, by Peggy Rathmann
This classic board book has very few words, but the expressive and colorful images really tell the full story. A mischievous little gorilla takes the zookeeper’s keys and sneaks around letting each of the animals out of their enclosures. The whole crew quietly follows the zookeeper into his house to bed down for the night—what will the zookeeper’s wife think?
Alice in Wonderland: A BabyLit Colors Primer, by Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver
Alice in her black shoes follows the white rabbit down a hole into Wonderland, where she meets an orange cat, a blue caterpillar and the queen of red hearts in this whimsically illustrated telling of Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel. The bright colors and patterns on each page, along with the simple text, are sure to capture the attention of even the littlest in your bunch.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin, Jr., Lois Ehlert, and John Archambault
Chicka chicka boom boom! Will there be enough room for all the letters of the alphabet climbing to the top of the coconut tree? This colorful, lively book has a delightful chant that kids will chime in with as the letters climb up and up and then ultimately tumble down the coconut tree.
Dooby Dooby Moo, by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
Farmer Brown knows his animals are up to something, but he can’t figure out what it is. Turns out, they’ve got their eyes on a talent show prize—a trampoline! Cows that sing? Pigs that dance? Can they really win the trampoline? Find out in this zany tale filled with hilarious illustrations.
What’s your favorite board book?