The 10 Best Books for Your Baby in 2021

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First Look

Best Overall: Goodnight Moon at Amazon

"A perfect book to unwind to after a long day. A small tale of good nights until morning lights."

Best Classic: The Cat in the Hat at Amazon

"This classic is a cute story of what happens when a mischievous cat comes to call while a mother is out."

Best Classic Runner-Up: Brown Bear, Brown Bear at Amazon

"Have a rhyming good time as you follow Brown Bear around watching life through his eyes."

Best Prenatal: Oh Baby! The Places You'll Go at Amazon

"An adorable collection of the poems and rhymes of Dr. Seuss."

Best with Textures: Pat the Bunny at Amazon

"This old favorite is still a hit. The words are simple and the textures amazing for little ones."

Best for the Imagination: Where the Wild Things Are at Amazon

"This delightful story follows Max as he sails from his bedroom in search of a land where he is king."

Best Poetry: Where the Sidewalk Ends at Amazon

"A great collection of poems by Shel Silverstein. These poems are great for kids of all ages."

Best for New Readers: Hop on Pop at Amazon

"A quick little book that teaches beginning sight words while having a rhyming good time."

Best About a Mother's Love: Mama, Do You Love Me? at Amazon

"A great snuggle time book, for before naps, bed or just anytime you want to express your love."

Best About a Mother's Love Runner-Up: Love You Forever at Amazon

"About a mother's love through the years and how she teaches her son to love his children by example."

Our Top Picks

1

Best Overall: Goodnight Moon

This book belongs in every nursery. A perfect book to unwind to after a long day. A small tale of good nights until morning lights.

2

Best Classic: The Cat in the Hat

Babysitter needed, cats need not apply! This classic is a cute story of what happens when a mischievous cat comes to call while a mother is out. They play lots of fun games and have lots of wild fun, but what do you do when mother is coming?

3

Best Classic Runner-Up: Brown Bear, Brown Bear

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? — Photo © Amazon

Have a rhyming good time as you follow Brown Bear around watching life through his eyes. A great book for all ages.

4

Best Prenatal: Oh Baby! The Places You'll Go

Oh, The Places You'll Go! — Courtesy of Amazon

This book written by Tish Rabe is an adorable collection of the poems and rhymes adapted from Dr. Seuss. The sing singy tale will delight even the youngest reader and as the subtitle suggests it is a book to be read in utero.

5

Best with Textures: Pat the Bunny

Pat the Bunny (Touch and Feel Book) — Courtesy of Amazon

This old favorite is still a hit. The words are simple and the textures amazing for little ones. It also makes a great baby shower gift!

6

Best for the Imagination: Where the Wild Things Are

While it may be too early to send your little one to bed without supper, poor Max can sure spin a tall tale. This delightful story follows Max as he sails from his bedroom in search of a land where he is king and dinner is always at his beck and call.

7

Best Poetry: Where the Sidewalk Ends

Here is a great collection of poems by Shel Silverstein. These poems are great for kids of all ages. Some are silly, some are rhyming... but they are always a lot of fun!

8

Best for New Readers: Hop on Pop

A quick little book that teaches beginning sight words while having a rhyming good time. "Up, pup! Pup is up!" Great fun for even the youngest readers.

9

Best About a Mother's Love: Mama, Do You Love Me?

The story of love through the eyes of a wee one, in asking the question, "Mama, do you love me?" A great snuggle time book, for before naps, bed or just anytime you want to express your love.

10

Best About a Mother's Love Runner-Up: Love You Forever

This book may bring you to tears as it talks about a mother's love through the years and how she teaches her son to love his children by example–even when times are rough.