33 Montessori-Friendly Books for Babies and Toddlers
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When choosing board books for young children, content matters. Young children don't have the ability to distinguish between the real and the fantasy world. That's why we want to choose books based on reality.
Related reading: 4 Reasons to Read Realistic Books to Young Children
Besides being grounded in reality, there are other things to look for in children's books:
proper language (for instance, use of word rabbit rather than bunny)
rich language
beautiful illustrations
Below, I compiled a list of our favorite 33 board books that meet the above criteria and are baby and toddler approved. Enjoy!
Black and White Books for Babies
Baby Animals Black and White by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes (black and white books are the best first books for newborns)
Books about daily routines and experiences
Hey Baby! by Andrea Pippins
My Amazing Day by Karin Fisher-Golton
Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers
I See by Helen Oxenbury
I Can by Helen Oxenbury
Hands Can by Cheryl Willis Hudson
Eat by Elizabeth Verdict
Love is You and Me by Anna W. Bardaus
Books with real photographs of children
Hey Baby! by Andrea Pippins
My Amazing Day by Karin Fisher-Golton
My First Yoga by Sally Beets
Hands Can by Cheryl Willis Hudson
My Face Book by Star Bright Books
Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions by Abrams Appleseed
Eat by Elizabeth Verdick
Love is You and Me by Anna W. Bardaus
Books about the Natural World
Baby Touch and Feel: Animals (favorite first book about animals for babies)
Egg by Amy Sky Koster (stunning illustrations)
Nest by Jorey Hurley
Baby’s First Book of Birds and Colors by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes
The Tallest Tree by Robert Lieber
A Swim Through the Sea by Kristin Joy Pratt
Goodnight Ocean by Mark Jasper and Cooper Kelly
My Little Garden by Katrin Wiehle
Diverse Books
Hey Baby! by Andrea Pippins
Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi
Our Rainbow by Little Bee Books
Books about Gratitude and Thankfulness
My Amazing Day by Karin Fisher-Golton
My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
Winter Books
No Two Alike by Keith Baker
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Goodnight Books
Goodnight Ocean by Mark Jasper and Cooper Kelly
Time for Bed by Mem Fox
A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na
Others
Baby Signs: A Baby-Sized Introduction to Speaking with Sign Language by Joy Allen
Little Feminist Board Book Set by Mudpuppy
My First Yoga by Sally Beets
C is for Consent by Eleanor Morrison (must-have book for all children and their families)
Robotics for Babies by Chris Ferrie and Dr. Sarah Kaiser (dad's pick)
What are your child's favorite board books? Please share them in the comments.