Most babies love looking at pictures of other babies - and for good reason! Babies are undeniably squishy, soft, and sweet.
Who can resist illustrations of small bundles with rosy cheeks and saucer eyes? Certainly not me!
We are pleased to present the very best children’s books about babies (listed in alphabetical order).
written by Liz Garton Scanlon; illustrated by Marla Frazee
Marla Frazee knows babies and her artwork of family life is worthy of blue ribbons galore. You'll want to sigh with contentment as you flip through her delightful illustrations of babies as they visit gardens, walk through the rain, and are rocked to bed with relatives all around.
written and illustrated by Jane Cowen-Fletcher
This wholesome board book features endearing images of toddlers with simple text that encourages little ones to share, help others, take turns, and say sorry. Best suited for ages 0-3.
written by William Lach; illustrated by Mary Cassatt
Published in partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, this small picture book stands out because of the paintings by Mary Cassatt. The text itself is very sparse, but this a very pleasant way to introduce young children to a famous female artist.
written by Joy N. Hulme; illustrated by Dan Andreasen
Littles ones will enjoy counting to twelve and seeing illustrations of baby animals as they frolic, quack, and snuggle on the farm. One of my favorite pages features a mama sow with her little nursling piglets. Sure to be a springtime favorite!
written by Susan Meyers; illustrated by Marla Frazee
Marla Frazee proves once again that she knows babies. This captivating book is a gem - in both writing and illustration. Babies will love seeing pages upon pages of babies as they laugh, crawl, sleep, and make friends with the world around them.
written by Heather Leigh; illustrated by Genevieve Cote
A multiethnic family (white father; asian mother) marvel at their young baby son and imagine who he will be as he grows up. Poetic prose is silver to the tongue.
written by Lin Oliver; illustrated by Tomie dePaola
Fans of dePaola will undoubtedly want to add this book of poetry to their shelves. The poems are surprisingly lyrical - easy to read a la Mother Goose. Babies will laugh and coo at the funny and gentle rhymes about sneezing, strolling, diapering, and peek-a-booing.
written by Robin Cruise; illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Some children’s stories are so simple and sweet that they become “classics” – passed down from generation to generation. Only You is reminiscent of that kind of book. It is superbly written – the text is poetic and flows off the tongue. Literary mamas will love reading the words aloud. The text also happens to be extremely concise – the words are limited to only a few per page – so even the smallest of babies will enjoy this precious tale of the love of a parent for his/her child.
The pictures are captivating and really quite lovely with splashes of color and design in unexpected places. It’s important to note that the book features three different parent/child “pairs” – an Asian mother and baby, an African-American father and baby, and a Caucasian mother and baby. The pictures provide a glimpse into a variety of different worlds and many parents and children will see themselves reflected in the book’s pages.
written by Todd Tarpley; illustrated by Marc Brown
This sweetly illustrated books extols the praises of baby toes - and all of the places that they will eventually go as they grow.
written and illustrated by Aliki
Very simple, but very sweet. This 1987 book shows the year of its publication in the mother's dress and hairstyle, but her love for her baby is timeless indeed.
What are your favorite picture books about babies? We’ll update our list as other treasures are discovered, always keeping our list to the very BEST children’s books.
