As a parent, we all want our children to develop a love for reading from an early age.
However, with the abundance of children’s books available in the market, it can be overwhelming for parents to choose the right books for their one year olds.
As a mom of three and a public school educator for over ten years, I have seen firsthand the impact that reading has on a child’s development.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the 100 best books for your 1-year-old in 2023, to help parents choose the right books that will engage, entertain, and educate their little ones.
From classic books that have stood the test of time to modern picture books that have stolen our heart, there’s something for everyone on this list.
In this blog post, I will share my personal experience and expertise to solve the problem of finding age-appropriate and high-quality books for your child. So let’s dive in and explore the wonderful world of books!
1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is a classic children’s book that has been enjoyed by generations of young readers. It’s a delightful and colorful story that follows the journey of a hungry caterpillar as it eats its way through various foods and eventually transforms into a beautiful butterfly.
The bright colors and vivid illustrations capture a child’s attention and stimulate their visual senses. The simple, repetitive text makes it a good book for young children who are just starting to learn language and vocabulary. The story also introduces concepts such as counting, days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly in a fun and engaging way.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is also a heartwarming story that promotes healthy eating habits and encourages children to explore the world around them.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” on Amazon >>
2. The Snowy Day (Ezra Jack Keats)
“The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats is a timeless classic children’s book that tells the story of a young boy named Peter who explores the wonders of a snowy day. The book features simple yet beautiful illustrations and a gentle narrative that has captured the hearts of young readers for generations.
The book introduces young children to the magic of winter and encourages them to explore and appreciate the world around them. The story also features relatable themes of childhood wonder and imagination that can help young children develop a sense of curiosity and creativity.
The book’s gentle narrative and beautiful illustrations make it a perfect choice for bedtime stories or quiet reading time. It can also be a fun way for parents to engage their children in discussions about the seasons, weather, and other topics related to the book.
Get “The Snowy Day” on Amazon >>
3. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see (Eric Carle)
“Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle is a classic children’s book that has been a favorite of young readers for generations. The book features simple text and vibrant illustrations that introduce young children to a variety of animals and colors.
The repetitive text and fun rhymes are easy for young children to follow and helps them develop language and literacy skills. The use of simple and recognizable animals and colors also helps children learn to identify and name objects, which is an important step in their cognitive development.
In addition, the colorful and eye-catching illustrations are sure to capture a child’s attention and spark their curiosity about the world around them. The book
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4. The Going To Bed Book (Sandra Boynton)
“The Going to Bed Book” by Sandra Boynton is a fun and colorful children’s book that follows a group of animals as they go through their bedtime routines. The book features simple yet playful illustrations and a humorous storyline that has captured the hearts of young readers and parents alike.
The book introduces young children to the concept of bedtime routines, which is an important part of establishing healthy sleep habits. The story also features familiar animals and situations that young children can relate to, which can help them feel more comfortable and secure at bedtime.
The book’s humorous storyline and playful illustrations make it a great choice for bedtime stories or interactive reading time. It can also be the perfect way for parents to engage their children in discussions about bedtime routines and other related topics.
Get “The Going to Bed Book” on Amazon >>
5. Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown)
“Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown is a beloved classic children’s book that has been a favorite of young readers for generations. The book features simple yet beautiful illustrations and a gentle, soothing narrative that helps children wind down at bedtime. It’s a must-add book to your baby’s library.
The book introduces young children to the concept of bedtime routines and helps them develop a sense of comfort and security around sleep. The story also features simple and recognizable objects that young children can identify and name, which is an important step in their cognitive development.
The book’s soothing narrative and peaceful illustrations make it a perfect choice for bedtime stories or quiet reading time. It can also be a great opportunity for parents to engage their children in discussions about their day, their feelings, and other related topics.
Get “Good Night Moon” on Amazon >>
6. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Bill Martin Jr.)
“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault is a lively and fun children’s book that features a playful alphabet rhyme and colorful illustrations. The book follows the journey of the lowercase letters of the alphabet as they climb up a coconut tree and then come tumbling down.
It introduces young children to the letters of the alphabet and helps them develop pre-literacy skills. The book’s catchy and rhythmic rhyme also helps children develop language and literacy skills by engaging their auditory senses.
The book’s lively and colorful illustrations capture young readers’ attention and spark their imaginations. It can also be a great opportunity for parents to engage their children in discussions about the alphabet, letters, and other related topics.
Buy “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” >>
7. Little Blue Truck (Alice Schertle)
Filled with truck sounds and animal noises, Little Blue Truck is a rollicking homage to the power of friendship and the rewards of helping others.
A muddy country road is no match for this little pick-up—that is, until he gets stuck while pushing a dump truck out of the muck.
Luckily, Blue has made a pack of farm animal friends along his route. And they’re willing to whatever it takes to get their pal back on the road.
Little Blue Truck is a joyful cacophony of animal and truck sounds that will have youngsters beeping and quacking.
Along the way, readers see that it pays to be kind to our animal friends. If we show a friendly respect to others, we’re more likely to get help.
Buy “Little Blue Truck” >>
8. Five Little Monkeys (Juliet Appleby)
This silly book tells the classic story about five little monkeys that didn’t heed their mother’s advice about jumping on the bed!
9. I am a Bunny (Richard Scarry)
This is my favorite book of all time to read to little ones.
“I Am a Bunny” by Ole Risom and illustrated by Richard Scarry is a charming and classic children’s book that follows the adventures of a little bunny named Nicholas. Its beautiful and colorful illustrations capture the attention of young readers and a simple, easy-to-follow storyline is perfect for one-year-olds.
This sweet book introduces young children to the natural world and helps them develop an appreciation for nature and the environment. The story follows Nicholas as he experiences the changing seasons and the beauty of the natural world, which can help young children develop a sense of wonder and curiosity.
It can also be a great opportunity for parents to engage their children in discussions about nature, animals, and other related topics.
Get “I Am A Bunny” on Amazon >>
10. Whose Knees Are These? (Jabari Asim)
“Whose Knees Are These?” by Jabari Asim and illustrated by LeUyen Pham is a playful and interactive children’s book that features a series of rhyming questions about body parts. The book’s vibrant and colorful illustrations capture young readers’ attention, while its simple and repetitive text is perfect for one-year-olds.
The book introduces young children to body parts and helps them develop an understanding of their own bodies. The book’s playful and interactive nature also helps young children develop language and cognitive skills by engaging their senses and encouraging them to participate in the story.
Parents and children will have a great time reading together with the repetitive text and rhyming questions.
Get “Whose Knees Are These” on Amazon >>
11. Where is Baby’s Belly Button? (Karen Katz)
“Where Is Baby’s Belly Button?” by Karen Katz is a charming and interactive board book that encourages young children to explore their own bodies and the bodies of others. The book features colorful and engaging illustrations, as well as flaps that young readers can lift to discover different body parts.
It’s one of the best board books for one year olds out there!
The book introduces young children to body parts and helps them develop an understanding of their own bodies and the bodies of others. Interactive books also help young children develop fine motor skills by encouraging them to lift and manipulate the flaps.
The book’s simple and repetitive text make it a perfect choice for interactive reading time.
If you like this book, check out the other baby books by Karen Katz.
Get “Where is Baby’s Belly Button” on Amazon >>
12. Say Hello (Rachel Isidora)
Meet all the people in Carmelita’s neighborhood!
“Say Hello!” by Rachel Isadora is a delightful children’s book that introduces young readers to different cultures and languages around the world. The book features colorful and engaging illustrations, as well as simple and repetitive text that encourages young children to say “hello” in different languages.
The book introduces young children to the idea of diversity and different cultures, helping them develop an understanding and appreciation of the world around them. The book’s colorful illustrations also capture young readers’ attention and encourage them to explore and learn.
The simple and repetitive text make it a perfect choice for interactive reading time, and it can also be a great opportunity for parents to engage their children in discussions about different cultures and languages.
13. My First Emoji Animals
An animal book for a new generation, this simple and colorful book teaches kids about farm animals with engaging emoji images.
14. Winnie The Pooh (A.A. Milne)
Winnie the Pooh has enchanted readers of all ages for nearly one hundred years with its relatable, heartwarming adventures that follow the famously friendly and lovable teddy bear.
In this classic collection, Winnie navigates the Hundred Acre Wood with Christopher Robin, Eeyore, Piglet, Owl, and Rabbit, learning the true meaning of friendship and the value of accepting everyone exactly as they are.
15. Guess How Much I Love You (Sam McBratney)
This is a sweet and simple story about the infinite love a parent and child have for each other. The rabbit and her little bunny go back and forth describing how much they love each other, all the way to the moon and back. It’s a classic bedtime story.
16. The Original Mother Goose (Blanche Fisher Wright)
Every baby nursery needs this classic collection of Mother Goose rhymes like “Three Blind Mice,” “Humpty Dumpty,” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”
17. Madeline (Ludwig Bemelmans)
Madeline is a young girl with a free spirit living in Paris. (To the tiger in the zoo, Madeline just says “Pooh Pooh.”) The book takes you an Madeline’s unexpected adventure to the hospital.
18. Velveteen Rabbit (Margery Williams)
“Once you are real, you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”
In this classic story, there is one question the “Velveteen Rabbit” doesn’t ask the skin horse that seems ever-present in the human consciousness: How do we know when we have become real?
You have become real when you realize that you are enough.
19. Where The Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak)
The classic story “Where the Wild Things Are” follows young Max, who spends his time exploring in the forest, imagining wild animals, and being creative. In one of his adventures, he gets transported to an island of many creatures who are not friendly at first, but later befriend him. This is a great book for teaching lessons about friendship, imagination, and creativity.
Buy “Where the Wild Things Are” >>
20. Corduroy (Don Freeman)
Curduroy the teddy bear goes looking for his missing button one night in the department store where he lives in an attempt to get purchased by a sweet little girl.
21. Eloise (Kay Thompson)
Kids will love getting to know capricious and irreverent Eloise who lives at The Plaza Hotel in New York City (not bad for a six year old!).
22. Make Way For Ducklings (Robert McClosky)
First published in 1941 with beautiful illustrations, this story book book tells the story of a pair of mallards who raise their brood of ducklings in the lagoon in Boston Public Garden.
Buy “Make Way For Ducklings” >>
23. The Story of Ferdinand (Munro Leaf)
Originally published in 1936, this story is about a bull who would rather smell flowers than fight in bull fights.
Buy “The Story of Ferdinand” >>
24. Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel (Virginia Lee Burton)
This classic tale was first published in 1939 in the wake of the Great Depression. Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne find themselves in a new world that doesn’t need steam shovels as much as before, so they look for work in a small town building a new town hall.
Buy “Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel” >>
25. Love You Forever (Robert Munsch)
You’ll definitely want this book in your library, about a mother who sings a sweet lullaby to her son at each stage of his life.
26. Tikki Tikki Tembo (Arlene Mosel)
This 1968 book tells the story of a Chinese boy with a long name who falls into a well. It’s a folk tale about why Chinese names are short today.
27. The Red Balloon (Albert Lamorisse)
This beautiful story is about a red balloon with a life of its own who follows a little boy around the streets of Paris.
28. A Sick Day for Amos McGee (Philip C. Stead)
This lovely story is about an older man who visits his animal friends in the Zoo regularly. When he falls ill one day, his animal friends come to take care of him.
Buy “A Sick Day for Amos McGee” >>
29. The Little Engine That Could (Watty Piper)
The little engine is small but mighty, and this 1939 classic teaches core values like hard work and optimism.
Buy “The Little Engine That Could” >>
30. Harry the Dirty Dog (Gene Zion)
This fun book is about a mischevious dog named Harry who gets so dirty that his family doesn’t even recognize him anymore!
31. Grimm’s Fairy Tales (The Brothers Grimm)
Classic stories like Rapunzel, hansel, and Grete, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty are all found in Grimm’s Fairy Tales. But beware! The versions in this original edition don’t always end as happily as our fairy tales today. It’s an especially good choice for older kids who are ready for a new kind of fairy tale.
32. Everyone Poops (Taro Gomi)
This book helps teach kids about the many ways that living creatures remove waste from their body, including humans!
33. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (Laura Numeroff)
This silly story helps illustrate the concept of a slippery slope. It’s a “circular tale” that ends up right where it began.
34. Green Eggs & Ham (Dr. Seuss)
Green Eggs & Ham is a classic bestseller because of its catchy rhymes and whimsical illustrations by the late Dr. Seuss.
“Green Eggs & Ham” on Amazon >>
35. The Runaway Bunny (Margaret Wise Brown)
Buy it on Amazon or your favorite independent bookstore.
This Margaret Wise Brown classic is a bout a little bunny who wants to run away but his mother tells him she’ll run after him. It’s about a child’s need for both independence and unconditional love.
36. Clifford the Big Red Dog (Blaise Hemingway)
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The lovable Clifford is much too enormous for the world he’s living in, but sometimes it comes in handy.
37. Oh The Places You’ll Go (Dr. Seuss)
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Often given as gift at baby showers and high school graduatios, this book is about the journey of life, and all of the challenges and joys that come along with it.
38. Curious George (H.A. Rey & Margaret Rey)
Buy it on Amazon or your favorite independent bookstore.
Everyone’s favorite monkey gets into all kinds of trouble in this classic book series.
16. The Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss)
This memorable Dr. Seuss classic revolves around a tall cat who wears his signature red and white-white-striped top hat and a red bow tie.
40. The Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein)
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The Giving Tree is about the relationship between a young boy and his favorite apple tree. He asks more and more of the tree as he moves through the different stages of life. This unforgettable story will leave you wondering about its lessons.
41. Good Night, Gorilla (Peggy Rathmann)
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It’s time to go to sleep, but this mischievous gorilla isn’t ready. Instead, he follow she zookeeper on his rounds and lets all the animals out of their cages.
42. Pat The Bunny (Dorothy Kunhardt)
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Pat the Bunny, published in 1940, is the original “touch and feel” book for babies and small children. It’s a perennial best-seller for good reason. Your baby’s little hands will cherish it.
43. Look, Look! (Peter Linenthal)
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Look, look! is perfect for baby’s eyes because of the high-contrast black-and-white art. It’s an ideal first board book, created by an elementary school teacher.
44. Go Dog Go (P.D. Eastman)
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Published in 1961, this classic story describes the actions of a group of dogs complete all kinds of human actions.
45. A Child’s Book of Poems (Gyo Fujikawa)
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All the classic children’ poetry you would want is in this anthology of 200 poems published din 1969. It includes Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Christmas Bells,” Lewis Carroll’s “The Melancholy Pig,” and Eugene Fields’ “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod,” along with proverbs, limericks, nursery rhymes, and folk songs.
46. The Little Red Caboose (Marian Potter)
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This sweet tale is perhaps the most classic of all the Little Golden Books , originally published in 1952. It’s about the red caboose who wants to be as popular as the big steam engine at the front of the train, but ultimately realizes his importance.
47. Aesop’s Fables
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Aesop, a former Greek slave, is famous for the simple and meaningful lessons he taught through short stores featuring animals and insects. This edition includes stories like “The Hare and the Tortoise” and “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing”. This classic edition is brought to life with illustrations by New York Times #1 Bestselling illustrator Charles Santore.
48. Time For Bed (Mem Fox)
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This cozy book has soothing repetitive language and conveys safety and warm affection, helping secure a strong parent-child bond.
49. Harold and the Purple Crayon (Crockett Johnson)
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Harold, is a curious four-year-old boy who has the power to create his own works with his purple crayon just by drawing it. It will inspire the youngest children to take initiative and create their own worlds.
50. Dear Zoo (Rod Campbell)
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The original flap book will be an instant favorite for your baby, who will love discovering the animals in the zoo with their own little fingers.
51. Olivia (Ian Falconer)
Buy it on Amazon or your favorite independent bookstore.
Olivia is a Caldecott Honor Book that captures the essence of a strong-minded and confident child (who happens to be a pig).
52. Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (Mo Willems)
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Your kids will fall in love Mo Willem’s fiesty pigeon who gets into all kind of trouble.
53. Press Here (Herve Tullet)
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This interactive book encourages kids to push on the dots, shake the book, and blow on the book in order to manipulate the illustrations.
54. The Day The Crayons Quit (Drew Daywalt)
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Duncan wants to color, but his crayons have quit. He’ll need to find a way to appease each of their concerns so he can get back to drawing!
55. Diary of a Wombat (Jacky French)
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A wombat is a slow, cuddly Australian animal who loves to eat and sleep. This picture book has only brief text and funny illustrations and it will make your child fall in love with wombats.
56. Last Stop on Market Street (Matt de la Peña & Christian Robinson)
Buy it on Amazon or your favorite independent bookstore.
This #1 New York Time Bestseller is a modern classic. CJ wonders why his family doesn’t own a car like his friend Colby. His grandma helps him see the beauty and fun in their own routine.
57. The Lorax (Dr. Seuss)
This timeless classic about the majestic truffula tree is the perfect book for teaching kids about sustainability and being a steward of their natural environment.
58. Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada (Jimmy Fallon)
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Comedian Jimmy Fallon shows us the behind the scenes strategies of dads who are lobbying for their child’s first word to be “Dada”.
59. Llama Llama Red Pajama (Anna Dewdney)
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Baby Llama has a knack for drama at bedtime. It might resemble your own home!
60. Good night Good night Construction Site (Sherri Duskey Rinker)
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The construction site is powering down and saying goodnight in this interactive book.
61. On the Night You Were born (Nancy Tillman)
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This book gets to the heart of the joy a parent feels when their child is born. “The moon stayed up til morning. The polar bears danced.” It celebrates the love a family has for their child.
62. Giraffes Can’t Dance (Giles Andreae)
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Gerald the Giraffe doesn’t think he can dance like the other animals in the jungle, but he discovers he just needs to listen to the sound of his own music.
63. Hair Love (Matthew A. Cherry)
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This book is an ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters.
64. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day (Judith Violist)
Kids will empathize with the main character Alexander as everything goes wrong in his day, starting with waking up with gum in his hair.
Buy “Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day” >>
65. Little You (Richard Van Camp)
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This tender board book for babies and toddlers celebrates the potential of every child.
66. We Are Family (Patricia Hegarty)
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This book highlights how all families are different, and yet share many similarities.
67. Knuffle Bunny (Mo Willems)
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This hilarious cautionary tale follows Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny on a trip to the neighborhood Laundromat. You’ll see what goes wrong when Daddy’s in charge.
68. Counting Kisses (Karen Katz)
Buy it on Amazon or your favorite independent bookstore.
Have fun discovering just how many kisses a tired baby needs before bedtime in this interactive lift-the-flap book. Count and kiss together!
69. Everywhere Babies (Susan Meyers)
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Babies are born every day, everywhere, and they’re completely loved and adored by their families. This book celebrates all the things babies do best with rhyming text and engaging illustrations.
70. Peek-A-Who? (Karen Katz)
Buy it on Amazon or your favorite independent bookstore.
Every baby nursery needs a peek-a-boo book, and this is one of the best. It has colorful pictures and simple rhyming text that will keep kids exciting about guessing who is peeking through the windows.
71. Besos for Baby (Jen Arena)
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Everyone has kisses for the baby in the book, from Mami and Papi to perro and gato. The book has bold illustrations, simple Spanish words, and plenty of besos.
72. The Book With No Pictures (B.J. Novak)
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This will be especially popular with older toddlers and young children. There are no pictures, as the title implies, but author B.J. Novak picks on the adult reading the book and makes them do and say silly things to keep their kids laughing.
73. The Wonderful Things You Will Be (Emily Winfield Martin)
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This book is a poem about growing up and it explores all the wonderful things your child can choose to be.
74. The Colors of Us (Karen Katz)
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Seven-year-old Lena learns that brown comes in many different shades. This book celebrates the differences and similarities that connect us all.
75. If I Had a Little Dream (Nina Laden)
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This book celebrates the wonder of the world we live in, focusing on the joy, love and beauty in the every day.
76. I Wish You More (Amy Krouse Rosenthal)
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This is an inspirational book for kids of endless good wishes that will bring positivity to all who read it.
77. The Pout-Pout Fish (Deborah Diesen)
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Mr. Fish has a permanent pout, spreading the “dreary wearies” all around him. Can his friends help him turn it around? Young kids will love the bright ocean colors and playful rhymes in this fun book.
78. Kitten’s First Full moon (Kevin Henkes)
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Sweet kitten mistakes the moon for a big bowl of milk, and goes on all kids of misadventures to get it.
79. Uni the Unicorn (Amy Krouse Rosenthal)
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This classic unicorn storybook is a story about friendship, sliding down rainbows, and the power of believing,
80. The Invisible String (Patrice Karst)
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This book is about the unbreakable connections between loved ones, and can even help ease separation anxiety, loss, and grief. This contemporary classic reassures us that we are all connected by an invisible string of love.
81. In My Heart (Jo Witek)
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This book celebrates all the feelings, big and small, and explores the min with whimsical illustration and lyrical language.
82. A Bear Called Paddington (Michael Bond)
Paddington Bear had traveled all the way from Peru when the Browns first met him in Paddington Station. Since then, their lives have never been quite the same. Ordinary things become extraordinary when Paddington is involved!
83. Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is the original classic by Beatrix Potter. It tells the story of a very mischievous rabbit and the trouble he encounters in Mr McGregor’s vegetable garden!
Buy “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” >>
84. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Cozy Classics Series)
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Read the classics, adapted for little ones. Simple words, sturdy pages, needle-felted scenes, and beloved stories make this collection a surefire hit.
85. I Love You through and through (Carolyn Jayne)
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This book is about loving every part of your sweet child, even when they cry or act naughty.
86. First 100 Words (Roger Priddy)
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This book will help develop baby’s speech by learning the words for 100 common, everyday items with bright pictures and labels.
87. Gossie (Olivier Dunrea)
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Gossie is a small yellow gosling who loves to wear bright red boots every day. But one day, she can’t find them!
88. Read to Your Baby Every Day: 30 classic nursery rhymes to read aloud
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These classic rhymes from the Mother Goose collection introduce your baby to a world of words and pictures paired with images of Chloe Giordano’s delightful hand-embroidered illustrations on cloth.
89. In the Tall Tall Grass (Denise Fleming)
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This book will help kids imagine what they would see if they were a fuzzy caterpillar crawling through the tall, tall grass on a sunny afternoon.
90. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Iza Trapani, Jane Taylor)
Buy it on Amazon or your favorite independent bookstore.
In this expanded version of the favorite nursery rhyme, the reader is taken on a journey across the night sky. It’s a new spin on a favorite classic.
91. Good Night, Darth Vader (Jeffrey Brown)
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It’s time for a bedtime story in a galaxy far, far away. See how Darth Vader’s parenting skills are tested when his rambunctious twins, Luke and Leia—are not ready to sleep and insist on a story. This is a great way to introduce your child to Star Wars from a young age.
92. Ten Tiny Toes (Carolyne Jayne Church)
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This classic picture book is a joyful twist on “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes) and will bring plenty of giggles at bedtime.
93. Baby Touch & Feel
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It’s a good idea to have plenty of touch and feel books in your baby’s nursery, and these are the gold standard. Filled with different textures and pages your child can turn themselves, this will definitely be a favorite. This one from the series is filled with different animals your child will love exploring.
94. Baby Happy, Baby Sad
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This book explores the emotions that are a part of baby’s every day lift in a fun, comical way.
95. Click Clack Moo Cows That Type
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This quirky farmyard tale is about a group of literate cows that turns Farmer Brown’s far upside down. It’s sure to be one f your child’s favorite books.
96. Owl Moon
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In this calming book, a little girl and her father go owling late one winter night. The trees are still as statues and the world is silent as a dream.
97. The Rainbow Fish (Marcus Pfister)
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This special book stands out among the others with shiny foil stamping and glitter. But the best part is the memorable story about a fish who makes friends by sharing his most prized possessions. It’s the perfect story to teach kids about sharing.
98. All The World
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This book affirms the importance of all things great and small in our world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to the family we love.
99. Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth
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This sweet, humorous book is an instruction guide for kids living on Planet Earth. It’s a great read that the author created especially for his own child, but that we can all enjoy.
100. Where the Sidewalk Ends
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Shel Silverstein’s classic collection of children’s poems and drawings ignites the imagination and makes young readers of all ages laugh. It belongs in every nursery and child’s library, but older children will especially grow to adore this book.
We hope you have loved this list of the best children’s books as much as we loved creating it. Those early years of reading together are special and magical, and we wish you hours of sweet bedtime snuggles.
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
