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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect storytime addition? Discovering new books for 1-year-olds can be a delightful adventure for both you and your little one. Whether you're looking to expand their library or find that magical book that makes their eyes light up, we've got you covered. Keep reading to explore our curated lists of new books for 1-year-olds that promise to enchant and entertain.

Fun New Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This playful book uses rhymes and colorful illustrations with cut-out windows to create a guessing game for little ones.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple yet engaging format is perfect for capturing the attention of young readers and encouraging interaction with the book.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who enjoy playful read-alouds and peekaboo games.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This classic book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally transforming into a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches counting and the days of the week while celebrating the process of metamorphosis in a way that’s easy for toddlers to understand.
  • Perfect for: Young children learning about nature and basic concepts like numbers and days.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Pattern Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: A teacher and various colorful animals are seen in a repetitive pattern that encourages early speaking and identification skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhythmic text makes it easy for young readers to participate and predict what comes next.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are beginning to learn colors and animal names.

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: A child writes to the zoo asking them to send a pet, leading to a series of crate-opening surprises.
  • Why we recommend this book: The interactive lift-the-flap elements make reading a fun activity and can help develop fine motor skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love animals and interactive books.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Classic
  • Synopsis: In this calming bedtime story, a young bunny says goodnight to everything in the room and beyond.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its soothing rhythm and gentle illustrations make it a perfect bedtime read, helping children wind down at night.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy quiet, peaceful stories before sleep.

Educational New Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering! by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Irene Chan
  • Genre(s): STEM, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This engaging board book introduces young readers to the basics of flight, from birds to airplanes and rockets.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic science concepts, early understanding of physics and engineering
  • Why we recommend this book: It simplifies complex ideas into child-friendly concepts paired with colorful illustrations to capture the imagination of young minds.
  • Perfect for: Curious toddlers who show an early interest in how things work.

• First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
  • Genre(s): Educational, Word Book
  • Synopsis: A simple book featuring 100 essential words for toddlers, accompanied by clear and colorful photographs that help in learning.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary building, language development, object recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great starter book for language development, helping children to quickly learn and recognize everyday words.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to speak and expand their vocabulary.

• Whose Toes Are Those? by Jabari Asim, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This playful book encourages toddlers to guess whose toes are peeking out from under various flaps.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Body awareness, interactive reading
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive lift-the-flap design and rhyming text make it a fun read for both parents and children.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers learning about body parts and enjoying interactive stories.

• Listen, Listen by Phillis Gershator, illustrated by Alison Jay
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature Book
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book takes readers through the four seasons, highlighting the sounds and sights of each.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory awareness, understanding of seasons
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a rhythmic exploration of the year, encouraging children to listen and observe the changing world around them.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy nature and exploring the senses.

• Counting Kisses by Karen Katz
  • Genre(s): Counting Book, Board Book
  • Synopsis: A tired baby is not ready for sleep until some kisses are counted from various family members.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting skills, emotional connection
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the concept of counting with the warmth of family affection, making it a sweet bedtime read.
  • Perfect for: Infants and toddlers learning to count and appreciate familial love.

Challenging New Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
  • Genre(s): Nature, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explores the hidden world above and below a pond's surface, detailing the lives of various creatures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex ecosystems and scientific concepts related to wildlife.
  • Why we recommend this book: It educates young readers about biodiversity and the importance of environmental conservation in a captivating way.
  • Perfect for: Young nature enthusiasts and little learners curious about animal habitats.

• Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers, illustrated by Marla Frazee
  • Genre(s): Family, Daily Life
  • Synopsis: A heartwarming celebration of all the different activities and milestones of babies around the world.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses a rich vocabulary and diverse contexts to show various aspects of daily life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful introduction to the concepts of diversity and universality among babies, fostering a sense of connection and understanding.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are beginning to observe and understand the wider world around them.

• Alphablock by Christopher Franceschelli, illustrated by Peskimo
  • Genre(s): Alphabet, Educational
  • Synopsis: An innovative alphabet book with thick pages cut into the shape of each letter, creating a physical and interactive experience.
  • Why this book is challenging: It combines visual learning with physical interaction, offering a more complex approach to learning the alphabet.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book makes learning the alphabet an engaging, hands-on experience that stimulates multiple senses.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy tactile learning and are ready to explore letters in a more immersive way.

• Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
  • Genre(s): Concept Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: This minimalistic book plays with just a few words and concepts (orange, pear, apple, bear) arranged in various combinations to tell a story.
  • Why this book is challenging: Its playful use of language and recombination of words encourages cognitive flexibility and creativity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a clever and simple way to explore language and concepts, making it fun and memorable for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are just starting to understand how words can combine to create meaning.

• The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by Anna Llenas
  • Genre(s): Emotions, Pop-Up Book
  • Synopsis: This engaging pop-up book helps children identify and understand their feelings through the story of a monster who experiences various emotions.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with the complex topic of emotions, represented through creative pop-up art.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a playful yet profound way to help children articulate and manage their feelings.
  • Perfect for: Young children beginning to explore and express their emotions.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing books to your little one is an exciting journey that can significantly impact their development. Here are some simple exercises designed to help 1-year-olds develop good reading habits. Each exercise is easy to integrate into your daily routine and fun for both you and your child!

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flipping through the book and talking about the pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Stimulates curiosity and helps the child link words to visuals.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to make it interactive and engaging.

• Echo Reading
  • What it is: You read a short section of a book, then have your child echo back the words.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and introduces the rhythm of language.
  • Tips: Use expressive tones to make the repetition fun and lively.

• Point and Name
  • What it is: Pointing at objects in the book and naming them.
  • How it helps: Builds word association skills and aids in language development.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to point and try to name objects as well.

• Fill in the Blank
  • What it is: Pause during reading to let your child fill in the end of a sentence.
  • How it helps: Promotes active participation and helps memory retention.
  • Tips: Start with repetitive and rhyming books to make guessing easier.

• Story Role-Play
  • What it is: Acting out the story with your child after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and makes reading a multi-sensory experience.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes for more engaging play.

These exercises aren't just about reading; they're about creating a bond and sparking a lifelong love for books. Try them out, adapt as necessary, and most importantly, have fun reading with your little one!