10+ Best Board Books for 1-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to introduce reading to your little one? Look no further than board books for 1-year-olds! These sturdy, colorful books are designed to captivate the attention of toddlers and withstand their enthusiastic handling. In this blog, we'll explore a variety of delightful board books that are sure to engage and entertain your child. Keep reading to discover our top picks for the best board books for 1-year-olds, each promising to be a hit with your tiny reader!

Fun Board Books for 1-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book follows a hungry caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces concepts of counting, days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly in a simple, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and learning basic concepts through stories.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Pattern Book, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: A series of colorful animals including a red bird, yellow duck, and green frog are seen through the eyes of a brown bear.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive, predictable text helps develop language skills and memorization. The vivid illustrations captivate young readers.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who delight in identifying animals and colors.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Classic
  • Synopsis: A gentle bedtime story that bids goodnight to everything in the "great green room" and beyond.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, soothing text makes it an ideal bedtime read, helping children wind down for sleep.
  • Perfect for: Children who benefit from a calming bedtime routine.

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: A child writes to the zoo asking to be sent a pet, leading to a series of crate-opening surprises.
  • Why we recommend this book: The interactive lift-the-flap format engages young readers, and the simple story line introduces them to different animals.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love interactive reading and animals.

• Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This book uses rhyming and predictable text with interactive cut-out pages that create a fun guessing game for the reader.
  • Why we recommend this book: It enhances cognitive skills through prediction and the simple joy of a playful, interactive read.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who enjoy playful surprise elements in their reading.

Educational Board Books for 1-Year-Olds

• First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
  • Genre(s): Educational, Vocabulary
  • Synopsis: A board book that introduces babies and toddlers to a collection of essential first words and pictures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary expansion, image-word association, early language skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed to help young children develop word recognition and build their early vocabulary in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to speak and identify objects around them.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet, Rhythmic
  • Synopsis: Letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree and experience chaos as the tree bends under their weight.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm and rhyme, early reading skills
  • Why we recommend this book: Its lively, rhythmic text and bold colorful illustrations make learning the alphabet exciting and memorable.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy dynamic stories and are learning the alphabet.

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Nursery Rhymes, Counting
  • Synopsis: A heartwarming book that celebrates the joys of babies from different backgrounds, each with ten little fingers and ten little toes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, multicultural awareness, fine motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches counting and diversity through a gentle, rhythmic narrative that appeals to young children.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers learning to count and recognize body parts, as well as families who value inclusivity.

• Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: Sally the dog searches her house for her missing puppy, Spot, lifting flaps to find all sorts of hidden surprises.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, object permanence, parent-child interaction
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive lift-the-flap style engages young readers in a playful hide-and-seek adventure.
  • Perfect for: Young children who love interactive reading and animal characters.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Seasonal, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter experiences the joy of a snowy day in the city, exploring his neighborhood transformed by the snow.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Seasonal awareness, exploration and curiosity, sensory experiences
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of the first snowfall through the eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and young children who enjoy stories about play and exploration, especially during the winter season.

Challenging Board Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children
  • Genre(s): Cultural, Educational
  • Synopsis: This board book presents photographs of babies from around the world, showcasing a variety of cultural backgrounds and traditions.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces young readers to global diversity and cultural awareness at an early age, concepts that are usually introduced later.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a wonderful way to expose young children to the broader world, fostering a sense of global community and curiosity.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who could benefit from a visually engaging introduction to global cultures.

• Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
  • Genre(s): Concept Book, Vocabulary
  • Synopsis: This delightful book uses only five words: orange, pear, apple, bear, and there. Emily Gravett creates a playful and artistically clever story around these simple words and concepts.
  • Why this book is challenging: The minimalist approach challenges young readers to make sense of the story through the illustrations and the arrangement of the words.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and critical thinking as children interpret the images and their meanings.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn how to associate words with objects and those who enjoy playful artwork.

• More More More, Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams
  • Genre(s): Family, Love
  • Synopsis: This book captures three vignettes of toddlers playing with their grandparents, each ending with a loving and playful "more" request.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure of repeating scenarios with different characters introduces complex storytelling elements.
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the joy of family interactions and the loving bonds between grandparents and grandchildren.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy stories about family bonding and playful scenarios.

• Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers, illustrated by Marla Frazee
  • Genre(s): Family, Daily Life
  • Synopsis: With rhythmic text and detailed illustrations, this book celebrates the daily activities and developmental milestones of babies everywhere.
  • Why this book is challenging: It includes a wide vocabulary and varied sentence structures, which are more complex than typical board books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It affirms the universal joys and challenges of caring for a baby, making it relatable to both young listeners and their caregivers.
  • Perfect for: Families looking for a book that celebrates the everyday moments of babyhood with warmth and diversity.

• All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee
  • Genre(s): Poetry, Concept Book
  • Synopsis: This poetic board book explores the connections between people and the world around them, emphasizing the beauty and interconnectivity of life.
  • Why this book is challenging: The poetic language and abstract concepts challenge young minds to think about the world in a broader and more interconnected way.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its beautiful prose and illustrations inspire appreciation for the larger world and the role each person plays within it.
  • Perfect for: Young children and their parents who enjoy lyrical storytelling that encourages a sense of wonder about the natural world.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing your little one to the world of books is an exciting journey. Board books are perfect for 1-year-olds due to their sturdy pages and vibrant illustrations. Here are some fun and simple exercises to help develop good reading habits in your toddler:

• Texture Touch
  • What it is: Use board books with different textures on the pages.
  • How it helps: Enhances sensory development and keeps the child engaged.
  • Tips: Guide your child’s hand over the textures as you read the words aloud.

• Picture Pointing
  • What it is: Point and name the pictures in the book.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and aids in language development.
  • Tips: Ask your child to point to known objects and praise them when they do.

• Simple Story Recount
  • What it is: After reading, ask your child to recount the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Keep it fun and use prompts if they struggle to remember.

• Sing-Along Books
  • What it is: Choose books that can be sung or have rhythmic text.
  • How it helps: Encourages interest in sounds and rhythms, important for early literacy.
  • Tips: Sing along with enthusiasm and encourage your child to join in.

• Book Choice
  • What it is: Let your child choose which book to read.
  • How it helps: Fosters independence and increases interest in reading.
  • Tips: Offer a small selection and let them pick, even if it’s the same book repeatedly.

• Read and Repeat
  • What it is: Read the same book several times.
  • How it helps: Reinforces language patterns and builds confidence in understanding.
  • Tips: Use different tones and voices to make repeated readings engaging.

Incorporating these simple exercises into your reading routine will not only make book time enjoyable but also spark a lifelong love for reading in your child. Remember, the key is consistency and making each reading session fun and interactive!