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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect storytime picks for your little one? Discovering the right reads at this stage can truly spark a lifelong love of reading. Our latest roundup of popular books for 1-year-olds is designed to captivate and engage your toddler with every turn of the page. Keep reading to explore a variety of popular books for 1-year-olds that are sure to delight and entertain.

Fun Popular Books for 1-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This engaging 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: Its colorful illustrations and simple text make it captivating for young readers, helping them learn about counting, days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy colorful stories and are learning basic concepts.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: A gentle bedtime story featuring a quiet poetry as it bids goodnight to everything in the "great green room" and beyond.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, soothing text and familiar, comforting imagery help settle young children down for bedtime.
  • Perfect for: Young children who benefit from a bedtime routine and enjoy calming, peaceful stories.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A teacher and her students explore the colors and creatures around them, with each page introducing a new animal and color.
  • Why we recommend this book: The repetitive and rhythmic phrases paired with Eric Carle's distinctive collage illustrations engage young minds and help in building memory and predictive skills.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are beginning to learn colors and animals.

• 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. The book unfolds with each animal being sent back for being too big, too scary, or too grumpy, until the perfect pet arrives.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive lift-the-flap style keeps children engaged and enhances their motor skills, while the simple story teaches about animals and adjectives.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy interactive reading and animals.

• Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This rhyming, surprise-filled book features colorful pages with cut-out windows that hint at what's to come next.
  • Why we recommend this book: The playful text and peek-a-boo windows stimulate curiosity and encourage interaction, making reading a fun activity.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who love playful surprise elements and guessing games in their reading time.

Educational Popular Books for 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: In this lively alphabet rhyme, all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh no - Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm and rhyme, early reading skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines playful text and bold colorful illustrations that make learning the alphabet fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn the alphabet and who enjoy rhythmic, energetic stories.

• Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: The first in a series about a puppy named Spot. In this adventure, Spot's mother, Sally, searches for him around the house as he hides behind different objects.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Object permanence, problem-solving, animal recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive lift-the-flap format provides an engaging way for children to participate in the story and learn about spatial concepts.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy hide-and-seek games and exploring with characters.

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Counting Book
  • Synopsis: This book features babies from different backgrounds and shows how each of them is special in their own way, yet similar with their ten little fingers and ten little toes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, diversity awareness, fine motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches basic counting and embraces diversity, all wrapped up in a gentle, rhythmic text that soothes and entertains.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers learning to count and recognize body parts, and families celebrating diversity.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: This tender story between Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare expresses their attempts to measure how much they love each other, leading to the famous line, "I love you right up to the moon—and back."
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, relational concepts, measuring
  • Why we recommend this book: Its charming illustrations and sweet narrative help children understand the boundless nature of love.
  • Perfect for: Young children and parents looking for a heartwarming bedtime story that celebrates affection.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Winter Book
  • Synopsis: This book follows a young boy named Peter as he explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Seasonal changes, exploration and curiosity, sensory experiences
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple, yet profound narrative and beautiful illustrations capture the magic and boundless possibilities of a snowy day.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and young children experiencing the wonders of snow and those learning about weather and seasons.

Challenging Popular Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyme Book
  • Synopsis: In this delightful rhyming tale, children can play 'I Spy' with various characters from well-known nursery rhymes and fairy tales who are hidden in the illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: It encourages young readers to engage in detailed observation and introduces them to rhyme and rhythm through complex, playful text.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun way to develop observational skills and familiarity with rhyming structures, plus it introduces classic characters in a playful context.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy interactive reading and playful discovery.

• Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: This story details the adventure of three owl babies as they wait for their mother to return to the nest. The narrative explores themes of anxiety and reassurance.
  • Why this book is challenging: The text delves into emotional depth that can be complex for young minds, exploring feelings of worry and the comfort of reunion.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for discussing emotions and the concept of parental reassurance with young children, presented in a soothing, empathetic tone.
  • Perfect for: Young children dealing with separation anxiety or those who enjoy stories about animals.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A witch and her cat are joined by several other animals on her broom, despite facing challenges like a dragon. It's a tale of friendship and cooperation.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure includes building sequences and repetitive, cumulative rhymes that require memory and prediction skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches themes of inclusion and teamwork through an engaging, rhythmic narrative and dynamic illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy tales of adventure and fantasy, and learning about teamwork.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure Book
  • Synopsis: A mouse walks through the woods and encounters several dangerous animals. To avoid being eaten, the mouse invents a creature called the Gruffalo, only to meet one.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features clever wordplay and a plot that requires understanding of strategy and foresight.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating tale that encourages strategic thinking and creativity, wrapped in a humorous and thrilling narrative.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love engaging stories with a twist and lessons on cleverness and bravery.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure Book
  • Synopsis: A family goes on an adventure, facing several obstacles, to find a bear, and then has to race back home when they actually find one.
  • Why this book is challenging: The repetitive and cumulative phrases combined with the adventure theme require memory and understanding of sequencing.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an interactive experience that promotes physical activity and problem-solving, with rhythmic and repetitive phrases that captivate young listeners.
  • Perfect for: Active children who enjoy adventure and rhythm in stories, and those learning about overcoming challenges.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing your little one to the world of books early on can spark a lifelong love for reading. Here are some simple exercises that can help develop good reading habits in 1-year-olds. Each exercise is designed to be engaging and beneficial for their growing minds.

• Picture Pointing
  • What it is: Show and name objects in the pictures of the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and object recognition skills.
  • Tips: Keep your finger movements slow so your child can follow along easily.

• Story Mimicking
  • What it is: Read a story and then act out scenes with gestures or toys.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and memory by linking words to actions.
  • Tips: Use expressive facial expressions and voices to make the mimicking fun and memorable.

• Book Exploration
  • What it is: Allow your child to handle books and explore turning pages.
  • How it helps: Develops motor skills and fosters independence in reading.
  • Tips: Choose board books or cloth books which are easier for little hands to manage.

• Sing the Story
  • What it is: Turn the book's narrative into a simple song or rhyme.
  • How it helps: Makes the reading experience enjoyable and enhances auditory memory.
  • Tips: Keep the melody simple and repeat it to help your child learn the tune.

• Repeat After Me
  • What it is: Read a sentence and then have your child repeat it.
  • How it helps: Aids in language development and speech skills.
  • Tips: Start with short sentences and praise your child for each attempt, regardless of accuracy.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you'll not only enhance your child's early literacy skills but also create a special bonding time filled with fun and learning. Happy reading!