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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect picture books for 1-year-olds that will captivate your little one’s imagination and nurture their growing minds? You’ve come to the right place! In this blog, we’ve rounded up a delightful selection of picture books that are just right for toddlers. Each book is packed with colorful illustrations and engaging stories that are sure to make reading time a joyous routine. Keep reading to discover our various lists of picture books for 1-year-olds, tailored to enchant and educate your tiny tot!

Fun Picture Books for 1-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: The story follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines simple counting with a charming story and colorful illustrations, making it engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy colorful illustrations and learning about numbers and nature.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A repetitive text pattern guides young readers through a colorful parade of animals, each one introducing the next.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, repetitive text and bold illustrations make it ideal for reading aloud, helping to build language skills.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy animal sounds and rhythmic phrases.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: In this classic book, a gentle bedtime ritual is described as a young bunny says goodnight to everything in the room.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a calming bedtime story with rhythmic, soothing words perfect for settling down at night.
  • Perfect for: Children who benefit from a bedtime routine and enjoy peaceful, soothing stories.

• 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 lift-the-flap surprises with different animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive with flaps to lift, which makes reading a playful experience and keeps young readers engaged.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love animals and interactive, hands-on play.

• Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This simple, rhyming book features a guessing game with peepholes, leading to a surprise at the end.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive format and playful text are perfect for keeping a young child's attention and encouraging participation.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who enjoy peekaboo games and the excitement of guessing what comes next.

Educational Picture Books for 1-Year-Olds

• First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
  • Genre(s): Educational, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This book introduces babies to 100 essential first words and pictures, covering everything from food to animals to toys.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary building, object recognition, communication skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed with bright, bold photos and simple labels that help babies connect words with images, enhancing their cognitive development.
  • Perfect for: Very young children beginning to develop their vocabulary and understanding of the world around them.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: Letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree and wind up tumbling down, only to begin their adventure all over again.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm and rhyme, early literacy
  • Why we recommend this book: With its rhythmic, lively text and bold, cheerful illustrations, it makes learning the alphabet fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers who are learning their ABCs and enjoy playful, rhythmic stories.

• Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: Sally the dog searches her house for her mischievous puppy, Spot, finding other animals along the way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, animal recognition, interactive reading
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple, repetitive text and interactive lift-the-flap features encourage children to predict and solve the mystery of where Spot is hiding.
  • Perfect for: Young children who love animals and enjoy interactive reading experiences.

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Counting Book
  • Synopsis: Babies from different backgrounds are introduced, each with ten little fingers and ten little toes, culminating in a loving universal bond.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, diversity awareness, fine motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines delightful rhymes with adorable illustrations, promoting a message of unity and diversity.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers learning to count and recognize similarities and differences among people.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare express their love for each other, trying to measure how much they love one another.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, bonding, expressive language
  • Why we recommend this book: Its sweet, gentle narrative and beautiful illustrations create a heartwarming reading experience that's perfect for bedtime.
  • Perfect for: Young children and their parents looking to nurture their bond through a loving and expressive story.

Challenging Picture Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
  • Genre(s): Nature, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explores the secret world beneath the snow where animals live through the winter, unseen.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of animal behavior and habitats in a winter setting, which are advanced topics for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides an engaging introduction to the wonders of nature and animal science, fostering curiosity about the natural world.
  • Perfect for: Young children who show an interest in animals and nature.

• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
  • Genre(s): Emotional Learning, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: When something terrible happens, a young child finds comfort in a rabbit who simply listens to his troubles.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles complex emotions and the concept of empathy, which are sophisticated for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches valuable lessons about emotional processing and the power of being a good listener.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are beginning to explore their feelings and relationships with others.

• Journey by Aaron Becker
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Wordless Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and escapes into a world where adventure awaits.
  • Why this book is challenging: Being a wordless picture book, it requires the child to interpret the story through the illustrations, promoting critical thinking and imagination.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and storytelling skills, as children narrate their version of the story inspired by the detailed illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Creative children who enjoy storytelling and adventures.

• Press Here by Hervé Tullet
  • Genre(s): Interactive Book, Concept Book
  • Synopsis: This book invites the reader to press dots, shake pages, and use imagination to interact with the book in a playful way.
  • Why this book is challenging: It involves following instructions and understanding cause and effect, which are advanced cognitive skills for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and unique interactive experience that stimulates fine motor skills and basic comprehension abilities.
  • Perfect for: Young children who love interactive play and are learning to follow instructions.

• The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
  • Genre(s): Emotional Learning, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book helps children identify and understand their feelings through the story of a monster who sorts out his mixed-up emotions.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with identifying and categorizing emotions, a complex psychological task for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It aids in emotional development by providing a visual framework to discuss and manage different feelings.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to understand and express their emotions.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing your little one to the joy of reading early on can be a delightful and rewarding experience. Here are some simple exercises designed for 1-year-olds that can help cultivate good reading habits and enhance their early learning experiences. Let's dive in!

• Read Aloud Daily
  • What it is: Spend some time each day reading picture books aloud to your child.
  • How it helps: Enhances language acquisition and helps in developing listening skills.
  • Tips: Choose books with simple, rhythmic text and vibrant pictures to keep your child engaged.

• Point and Name
  • What it is: While reading, point to pictures and name what you see.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and aids in object recognition.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to point and try naming objects too.

• Expressive Reading
  • What it is: Read with different voices and facial expressions to make the story come alive.
  • How it helps: Stimulates imagination and helps in understanding emotional cues.
  • Tips: Don’t be afraid to be animated; the sillier, the better!

• Interactive Reading
  • What it is: Ask questions about the pictures and story, pausing to give your child time to respond.
  • How it helps: Promotes cognitive development and encourages interactive engagement.
  • Tips: Keep questions simple, like "What’s this?" or "What does the cat say?"

• Book Exploration Time
  • What it is: Allow your child to handle books freely, turning pages and exploring them.
  • How it helps: Develops fine motor skills and fosters an early love for books.
  • Tips: Board books are great for little hands as they are easier to grasp and more durable.

• Consistent Reading Spot
  • What it is: Establish a specific cozy spot in your home where you always read with your child.
  • How it helps: Creates a sense of routine and security around reading.
  • Tips: Make sure it’s a comfortable place with good lighting and few distractions.

• Sing the Book
  • What it is: Turn the book’s text into a song or rhyme as you read.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a fun activity and can improve memory retention.
  • Tips: You don’t need to be a great singer; your child will love the rhythm and effort!

By incorporating these exercises into your daily routine, you’re not only bonding with your child but also laying the foundation for lifelong reading habits. Remember, the key is consistency and enjoyment. So, keep it light, fun, and frequent. Happy reading!