Board Books

Why it worksA simple, 14-page board book that follows the ritual of Halloween, from picking a pumpkin to trick-or-treating. Perfect for a two-year-old, it uses rhyming and short sentences to walk through the holiday steps.

Worth knowingThe book is not scary at all. Because it lacks a deep plot, a four-year-old may quickly move on to more complex stories.

Why it worksThe wind-down member of the set—the same four babies rocked, swung, and finally put down, ending on a spread of them asleep. At four words a page, it is short enough to be the last book of the night.

Worth knowingBecause there is almost no text, it's better to read this after a longer book rather than before it.

Why it worksWith six words per spread building to the whole group toppling over, the falling page lands every time. It’s something a toddler can do too, and most children are on the floor acting it out before you’ve finished.

Worth knowingThis is very brief and intended strictly for under-twos; a three-year-old likely won't have the patience to sit for it.

Why it worksBig and little are compared on the same spread—a big dog beside a little dog, a big bite beside a little bite. The concept is immediately visible, making it the first opposite a toddler can use correctly.

Worth knowingThis book consists of twelve spreads that all follow the exact same structure, so there isn't a real story to come back to.

Why it worksA baby loses their dummy, searches the house, and finds it. It’s a rare story that addresses a child's actual anxiety about losing a pacifier, ending in a reunion rather than taking it away.

Worth knowingThis book celebrates using a dummy rather than helping with the weaning process, so it isn't the right choice for transitioning away from one.

Why it worksA look at a toddler's most important attachment object, told from the child's side. The blankie gets dragged, chewed, and lost, allowing children to see their own behaviors reflected on the page.

Worth knowingThis is written specifically for children who use a comfort object, so it won't mean much to a child who doesn't.

Why it worksA simple, rhythmic book that teaches colors through clothing. It follows a predictable pattern that culminates in a silly "Oops" on the final page, which children love to shout out.

Worth knowingThe delivery of the word 'Oops' is everything. If you read it too flatly, the book just becomes a simple story about various hats.

Why it worksOne colour per spread—a single big colour block and four photographed objects, nothing else on the page—which is why it holds a nine-month-old when a busier colour book does not. Small, thick and square, so a baby can hold it themselves.

Worth knowingChildren tend to outgrow this quickly. Most kids are finished with it well before they turn two.

Why it worksA rhythmic counting book where animals join in a group, but the hippo is left out on every spread. It builds anticipation through repetition before a final, silent moment where everyone finally waits for her.

Worth knowingThe ending relies on a single silent beat. It’s common for adults to read right through the pause, but the book is built around that specific moment of silence.

Why it worksFour babies, four words a page, and every line is an instruction the child can obey from your lap—clap, wave, bang the drum. Oxenbury draws real babies of different sizes and skin tones, which is why children recognize themselves in it.

Worth knowingThis is a very short, tiny book. It works much better as part of a four-book set rather than as a standalone read.

Why it worksIt counts down from ten kisses on the toes to one on the sleepy head, so the book physically gets quieter as it goes and ends with the baby asleep—a countdown you deliver on the actual child while you read it.

Worth knowingThis book only works if you actually give the kisses. Without that physical interaction, it’s just a plain book about numbers.

Why it worksThis book features seventeen real photographs of babies from around the world. The simple text accompanying each face allows babies to focus on the visual connection of looking at other babies.

Worth knowingThe text is very minimal, so it won't serve as a standalone bedtime story. The real draw here is looking at all the different faces.

Why it worksA zookeeper says good night to the animals while a mischievous gorilla quietly unlocks their cages. It is a wordless story where children can spot the joke before the adult character does.

Worth knowingSince it is nearly wordless, you'll be doing most of the heavy lifting with your narration. A child who expects a traditional story might not find this quite satisfying.

Why it worksEffectively wordless, this book follows a child on a swing as they fly past giraffes, planes, and spaceships. The reading is driven by the pictures and one repeated word the toddler can take over.

Worth knowingWith only about twenty words in the entire book, don't expect a story for bedtime. This is much more of a quick visual experience for the very youngest readers.

Why it worksHigh-contrast black-and-white cut-paper shapes are accented by a single spot of red. With a short line of text per spread, it provides more engagement for parents to talk about than purely visual books.

Worth knowingThe white paper in this book is prone to easy marking, and the pages are quite thin for a standard board book.

Why it worksA rhythmic board book that ends by handing the last line over to the child. It uses silly, incorrect animal sounds to spark a laugh, making it an interactive way to practice animal noises.

Worth knowingWith only nine very quick spreads, don't expect to read it just once. You'll likely be handed this book four times in a row.

Why it worksEvery spread pairs a "no-no" behavior with the allowed version, like crayon on the wall versus crayon on paper. It delivers house rules as a joke rather than a telling-off.

Worth knowingThis book can serve as a way to introduce toddlers to a wide range of ideas they might not have encountered yet.

Why it worksUsing die-cut windows, this book turns "peek-a-boo" into a guessing game. The final page features a mirror, which is a consistent favorite for very young children.

Worth knowingIt only lasts for six spreads, so it's over quickly. However, it's the kind of book intended to be read six times in a row rather than just once.

Why it worksThis book gives permission to be loud. The loud pages want shouting and the quiet pages want a whisper, and switching between the two is what keeps a wriggler in place.

Worth knowingThis book encourages making noise, so you might not want to make it the very last thing you read before sleep.

Why it worksA bedtime routine in rhyme—bath, pyjamas, teeth—set on a tilting boat. It includes animals exercising before bed, a joke a two-year-old finds hilarious that helps burn off those last bits of wriggling energy.

Why it worksIt ends in a tickle, so the book has a physical payoff the baby learns to expect. By the third reading, they are squirming before you even turn the last page.

Worth knowingIf you read this at bedtime, be prepared to settle a very awake and over-excited, tickled child immediately afterward.

Why it worksOne opposite per spread with the same baby doing both—spaghetti is yummy, worms are yucky. The "yucky" drawings are usually the funny ones, helping a toddler grasp the concept through visual humor.

Worth knowingThe humor relies on a baby eating something gross, which might lead a literal-minded toddler to think it's a real suggestion.

Why it worksThis board book uses single clauses on fourteen pages to show a toddler exactly what they will see at the doctor: the scales, the light, the stethoscope, and a sticker.

Worth knowingThis focuses on the medical room rather than the reasons for the visit. It doesn't really answer practical questions, and most four-year-olds will have outgrown it.

Why it worksA counting book where the numbers are replaced by different dog barks. It’s an interactive experience that requires the reader to perform various sounds, leading to a noisy, funny finale.

Worth knowingTen consecutive barks can be quite a lot for a reader, and it tends to leave toddlers feeling noisy rather than ready for sleep.

Why it worksThe same photographic grid as First 100 Words but all animals, which is the category toddlers volunteer words for first—so this is usually the book that produces the first ten spoken nouns rather than the first ten recognised ones.

Worth knowingLike the rest of this series, this is for naming objects rather than reading a story, and it loses its charm once they’ve mastered the words.

Why it worksThis book uses real photographs of objects set against flat colors, organized by rooms and daily routines. It’s great for toddlers who are at the pointing stage because the real photos help them connect the pages to the actual items in their own home. Since there’s no story, it’s purely about vocabulary and recognition.

Worth knowingThis isn't a storybook with a narrative. It’s a naming exercise, so don't expect it to work as a bedtime story.

Why it worksThe classic song presented as a board book. With a baby modeling each body part, it acts as a naming book that gets a one-year-old touching their own knees.

Worth knowingThere are only four lines of text that repeat. Unless you are singing along to the tune, you'll find there is almost nothing here to read.

Why it worksBoard pages and one short rhyming line per spread make it usable with the two-year-old who is about to be displaced but cannot sit through a story. It keeps saying 'I am' rather than 'you must', so it reads as a promotion.

Why it worksA colorful board book where a mouse paints different emotions onto ten pumpkins. It’s a helpful way for toddlers to connect feelings like "happy" or "silly" with facial expressions through a Halloween theme.

Worth knowingThe book is completely unscary and contains no trick-or-treating, which might be a disappointment for children expecting monsters.

Why it worksThis is essentially a dance party in book form. The animals put on their pyjamas and jump around, which is a great way to burn off energy before the actual settling down begins. The "Pajama time!" refrain is two easy syllables that toddlers can pick up and chant right back to you.

Worth knowingThe animals jump around in their pajamas, which can be quite energizing. It's a good idea to have a truly calm book ready to read immediately after.

Why it worksWith only a few words per page, this book mirrors the actual internal deliberation of a two-year-old. The choice between a diaper and a potty is a significant one at that age, and this book respects that weight.

Why it worksIt includes the extra verses like the crocodile and the lion, giving toddlers something to shout. It’s also a perfect book to read while holding a child's hands and rocking face-to-face.

Worth knowingThis version includes extra crocodile verses that feature playful snapping and shouting. Some very sensitive babies may not enjoy that specific turn in the song.

Why it worksCounting backwards from ten toes to one girl in bed provides a clear finish line. Kids can find and count objects on each page, a task that gets quieter as the numbers get smaller. Includes a rare father bedtime.

Why it worksWith slow, rhyming couplets for each animal mother and baby settling down, the meter is deliberately steady. It’s perfect for the 7pm wind-down, ending with a human child to make the transition to sleep explicit.

Why it worksEvery verse includes a hand action and a die-cut hole through the book. Because it shows babies performing the motions, it teaches the actions rather than assuming you already know them.

Worth knowingThis is a book meant for singing, not reading aloud. If you don't know the melody, there's very little content on these pages to keep a toddler engaged.

Why it worksA rhyming counting game focused on a baby's own feet. By the end, the child realizes the toes belong to them, making it a perfect activity for a nappy change.

Worth knowingThis is a very short book that works best if you have the child's feet in your hands. It's not a very effective choice for sitting in a chair to read.

Why it worksMore of a square-dance call than a traditional story, this board book uses rhyme and rhythm to invite children to move. It’s a physical, high-energy book that gets kids up on their feet.

Worth knowingThis needs to be read loud and fast. If you mumble it at bedtime, it loses its charm and can actually wind children up instead of settling them.

Why it worksThis book turns reading into a search game. Each spread uses a rhyme to hide a nursery rhyme or fairy tale character within the illustration for the child to find.

Worth knowingThis book relies on familiarity with Mother Goose and the Three Bears. If a child hasn't encountered those characters yet, the "I Spy" game won't really make sense.

Why it worksThis book uses counting in both directions as nine hippos arrive one by one and then leave in the same order. It's a clever way to introduce numbers to toddlers. Younger children will likely enjoy counting the hippos on the pages months before they can actually count objects in their own lives.

Worth knowingThe story concludes with one hippo left alone in the house, which some children may find sad rather than funny.

Why it worksA colorful journey follows Little Fish past all sorts of strange, invented creatures before he finally finds his mother. The bold colors and loud rhymes make it a high-energy read.

Worth knowingThe rhyming can get a bit loose and the pace moves very quickly. Even with the ending, this isn't the best choice for settling a child down.

Why it worksA series of nonsense berry-rhymes makes this a book focused on sound. The rhythmic patterns are designed so that toddlers can join in on the wordplay long before they understand the meaning.

Worth knowingThe text uses invented words throughout. While it's great for teaching rhythm and rhyme, it isn't designed to help build a child's vocabulary.

Why it worksThis book uses flat blocks of color and heavy black outlines to explain the basics of a car and driving. The simple, bold imagery is designed to be easily processed by toddlers.

Worth knowingThis is an explanatory book rather than a rhythmic one. If your child is looking for a rhyming story, they'll probably lose interest here.

Why it worksThis book captures the everyday rhythms of parenting by turning common phrases used during toddler mischief into a rhythmic chant. The artwork places the child at the center of every scene.

Worth knowingWritten from the perspective of an exhausted parent, the toddler in this story never actually stops. Some kids find it hilarious, while parents might find it a bit too real.

Why it worksThe animals in a stable work together to tidy up for a special guest. It's a rhyming, gentle nativity story told from the perspective of the animals, making it a sweet option for a plain animal book too.

Worth knowingThis is explicitly a nativity story. Since the cover doesn't signal this, keep that in mind if you are looking for a strictly secular book.

Why it worksThe third book in the chain swaps in North American animals—a mule deer, a flying squirrel, a screech owl—so it stretches vocabulary well past the zoo animals a toddler already owns, riding a sentence pattern they can already recite.

Worth knowingUnlike the end of Brown Bear, this one resolves with a mother instead of a teacher and students. Children who are expecting the usual classroom ending might notice the difference.

Why it worksA rhythmic "dum ditty dum" runs through the whole book like a drumbeat. With monkeys drumming as the main focus, the nonsense rhyme is something toddlers latch onto very quickly.

Worth knowingThis board edition is longer than it looks because it includes every word. The rhythmic drumming might also make it a tough choice for a quiet bedtime routine.

Why it worksBlue the truck delivers five Christmas trees to five friends. As the trees are dropped off, children can count down what's left on the truck. It’s a secular, joyful story that features a real battery-lit tree on the final page.

Worth knowingThe lights are the main event, but the batteries are not replaceable, so the book has a limited lifespan. Also, toddlers may try to read it all year round.

Why it worksMouse explores a dark house at night, finding one Christmas object at a time. This "guessing game" format uses repetitive questions to help toddlers build their vocabulary as they hunt for the next item.

Worth knowingThere is no real story arc, just a sequence of objects. Because the re-reads rely on the guessing game, once the child knows all the answers, the book is finished.

Why it worksA book of noises without a plot—from a cow to a thunderstorm. Every sound ends with "Can you?", prompting the toddler to answer out loud. The large text signals how loud to be.

Worth knowingThis book features sixteen consecutive sound effects. You'll likely find your voice giving out long before your child loses interest in making all those noises.

Why it worksWhen Ducky's friend Piggy is busy on the potty, Ducky’s impatience leads her to try it herself. This focuses on the social motivation of wanting to play, rather than adult-led praise, making it feel very realistic for a toddler.

Why it worksThe board edition keeps the fold-outs, so the ladder unfolds upward off the top of the book and the moon opens out four panels wide—a physical surprise a one-year-old can operate with their own hands. The moon shrinking through its phases is the first astronomy most toddlers meet.

Worth knowingThe fold-out flaps are the heart of this book, but they’re also the first things to tear. You’ll definitely want to keep a close eye on any child under two while they play with them.

Why it worksThe same chain as Brown Bear, but the answer is a sound instead of a colour, so the child's job changes from naming to making a noise—snorting, braying, hissing, fluting. It is the right next book for a toddler who has Brown Bear memorised.

Worth knowingThe text uses unusual sounds, like a flamingo 'fluting' or a boa 'hissing.' You have to fully commit to the performance, otherwise the repetitive pattern won't quite land.

Why it worksOpposites carried entirely on feet, one pair per spread, accelerating to the end. A toddler can point at their own feet the whole way through, making it a favorite for the first birthday crowd.

Worth knowingThe rhythm in this book is relentless. Rather than helping a child settle down for sleep, it's more likely to wake them up.

Why it worksAs the monkeys jump off the bed, the countdown rhythm leads to a repetitive doctor's refrain. It uses subtraction and counting to create a funny, engaging bedtime story.

Worth knowingBecause it features children being told not to jump on the bed, many toddlers might take that as an invitation to start jumping themselves.

Why it worksWith die-cut holes for little fingers to follow, this is a tactile favorite for toddlers. The "Saturday binge" spread is perfect for practicing counting and naming different foods.

Why it worksSet on a farm, this book follows a full day in couplets. The rhythmic, rhyming structure helps settle a child toward bedtime as the animals all eventually fall asleep.

Worth knowingWith roughly 350 words, this is on the long side for this age group. A twelve-month-old probably won't have the attention span for the whole farm.

Why it worksEach letter gets a tongue-twister and a ridiculous creature. The alphabet arrives as a series of sounds and letter names, which children can join in on long before they recognize the shapes.

Worth knowingClocking in at over three hundred words, this is the longest book in this age group. For a one-year-old, you might want to split the reading in half.

Why it worksThe hares compete to out-measure each other's love using arms, hops, and hills. This gives children a specific game to participate in at bedtime rather than just listening to a sentiment.

Worth knowingThe Little Nutbrown Hare always loses the measuring contest, which can actually bother some children more than adults might expect.

Why it worksThis wordless board book features black silhouettes of familiar objects on a white background. Because the contrast is high enough for a newborn's eyes to resolve, it is a practical choice to prop open beside a baby who cannot yet hold a book.

Worth knowingBecause there are no words, there is no reading involved. Most kids find it's a favorite around the eight-month mark, so buy it for a newborn rather than a first birthday.