10+ Best Books for 0-1-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect books for 0-1-year-olds to spark joy and curiosity in your little one's early days? Finding the right book can be a magical journey of bonding and discovery. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or friend, we've curated a variety of delightful lists to help you choose just the right pages to turn with your tiny tot. Keep reading to explore our top picks for books that are sure to enchant and engage the youngest of readers!

Fun Books for 0-1-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a caterpillar eating his way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its vibrant and colorful illustrations capture the attention of young readers, and the simple, rhythmic text helps develop early reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Infants and toddlers who enjoy colorful visuals and those beginning to learn about numbers and days of the week.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: In this calm and soothing book, a young bunny says goodnight to everything around him in his great green room.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, gentle words and lulling illustrations make it a perfect bedtime read, helping children wind down at the end of the day.
  • Perfect for: Young children and parents looking for a peaceful bedtime routine.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck—all parade across the pages of this delightful book.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive text patterns and charming illustrations help with memorization and recognition of colors and animals.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who are beginning to learn about colors and animal names.

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: This interactive book takes children through a series of animals sent by the zoo, each hidden behind a flap. Each animal is sent back for being too big, scary, or jumpy, until the perfect pet arrives.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive lift-the-flap style engages young readers and keeps them guessing what's next.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy interactive reading and animals.

• Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt
  • Genre(s): Touch and Feel Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This classic touch-and-feel book invites the youngest readers to pat the bunny, feel daddy's scratchy face, and look in the mirror.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its sensory elements and interactive play help develop young children's sense of touch and ability to follow directions.
  • Perfect for: Infants and toddlers who are exploring their senses and enjoying interactive activities.

Educational Books for 0-1-Year-Olds

• Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This engaging board book features colorful pictures with die-cut windows that hint at what's to come, leading to the next page's surprise.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Visual perception, cause-and-effect understanding, object permanence
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple yet mysterious format keeps babies entertained and helps develop their curiosity and prediction skills.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who love peekaboo games and surprises.

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: This book celebrates the joy of babies from around the world, each with ten little fingers and ten little toes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Number recognition, cultural diversity awareness, fine motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines delightful rhymes with adorable illustrations, making it a heartwarming read for little ones.
  • Perfect for: Parents and babies who enjoy rhythmic, soothing bedtime stories.

• Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers, illustrated by Marla Frazee
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family Book
  • Synopsis: This book depicts babies being loved and cared for in various everyday situations and settings, showcasing a wide range of family dynamics.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, diversity and inclusion, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: Its inclusive illustrations and gentle text celebrate the universality of babyhood and family love.
  • Perfect for: Families looking to introduce concepts of diversity and inclusion from an early age.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: This sweet tale follows Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare as they express their love for each other, trying to measure how much they love one another.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, counting, comparison
  • Why we recommend this book: Its charming story and beautiful illustrations provide a warm, loving reading experience.
  • Perfect for: Parents and children who enjoy sharing cuddly, affectionate moments before bedtime.

• Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: In this playful book, children are invited to search for Spot, the mischievous puppy, who is hiding somewhere in the house.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, memory skills, animal recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive lift-the-flap format encourages children to guess and discover where Spot might be hiding.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy playing hide-and-seek and exploring with characters.

Challenging Books for 0-1-Year-Olds

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A lively alphabet rhyme where the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. As the tree becomes overloaded, the letters fall off and must be picked up by their parents.
  • Why this book is challenging: The fast-paced rhymes and alliteration provide a complex auditory experience that goes beyond simple storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces the alphabet in a fun and rhythmic way, encouraging phonetic awareness and early literacy skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are starting to explore the alphabet and enjoy rhythmic, lively reads.

• Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: Three baby owls, Sarah, Percy, and Bill, wake up one night to find their mother gone. They wait anxiously for her return, experiencing a range of emotions before she finally comes back.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores themes of separation anxiety and reassurance, which are complex emotional concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully addresses the fears of young children when they are away from parents and provides comforting reassurance of their return.
  • Perfect for: Children who experience separation anxiety or those who enjoy stories about animals and family bonds.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Winter Book
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season, experiencing the simple joys and adventures that the snow brings.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses a simple yet profound narrative to explore the wonders and solitude of a snowy day, providing a sensory experience that is rare in literature for this age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic of a snowy day and the joy of exploring alone, fostering a sense of independence and imagination.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy seasonal stories and exploring the outdoors.

• On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: This book celebrates the uniqueness of each child, detailing the joy and miracle of their birth and the impact of their arrival in the world.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of self-worth and individuality in a poetic and lyrical format, which are advanced themes for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It affirms the individual value and uniqueness of every child, boosting self-esteem and fostering a sense of belonging.
  • Perfect for: New parents and young children, ideal for bedtime reading to reinforce feelings of love and importance.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: This classic story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, facing various challenges and learning important lessons about obedience and danger.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features rich, complex language and a narrative that includes consequences for actions, which are sophisticated concepts for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches moral lessons through engaging, narrative-driven adventures, encouraging critical thinking and empathy.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories with a bit of mischief and important life lessons.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to introduce the littlest ones in your life to the joy of books, starting early can be a fantastic idea. Here are some simple exercises that can help develop good reading habits in babies from 0 to 1 year old. Each exercise is designed to engage your baby in a way that's both fun and beneficial for their early development.

• Read Aloud Daily
  • What it is: Share a book by reading aloud to your baby every day.
  • How it helps: Stimulates language development and helps in bonding.
  • Tips: Use different tones and voices to make the reading more engaging.

• Show and Tell
  • What it is: While reading, point to and name the pictures in the book.
  • How it helps: Helps babies make connections between words and objects.
  • Tips: Keep the sessions short and sweet to match your baby’s attention span.

• Touch and Feel Books
  • What it is: Use books with different textures to explore during reading time.
  • How it helps: Enhances sensory development and interactive learning.
  • Tips: Let your baby guide your hand to what interests them in the book.

• Sing-Along Books
  • What it is: Incorporate books that can be sung or have rhythmic cadences.
  • How it helps: Encourages auditory development and rhythm recognition.
  • Tips: Don’t worry about your singing skills; your baby will love hearing your voice!

• Routine Reading Time
  • What it is: Establish a specific time each day dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Builds a habit and a sense of security through routine.
  • Tips: Try making it a calming bedtime ritual to wind down the day.

Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine can make reading a fun and enriching part of your baby's early life. Remember, the goal is to enjoy the time together, so keep it light and enjoyable. Happy reading!