10+ Best Story Books for One-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect story books for one-year-olds? You're in the right place! Whether you're looking to make bedtime a little dreamier or just want to enrich your little one's day with tales told in simple, captivating ways, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover our carefully curated lists of story books that are just perfect for one-year-olds, ensuring you find something that will delight and engage your toddler.

Fun Story Books for One-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This charming 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 vibrant illustrations and interactive die-cut pages are perfect for keeping one-year-olds engaged while teaching them about counting, days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy colorful illustrations and learning basic concepts.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Classic
  • Synopsis: In a great green room, a young bunny says goodnight to all the familiar items in the room and beyond.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, gentle words and calming illustrations make it an ideal bedtime story, helping to establish a bedtime routine with soothing language.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who benefit from a calming bedtime ritual and enjoy saying goodnight to their own surroundings.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Pattern Book, Animal 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, asking each other what they see.
  • Why we recommend this book: The repetitive structure and engaging animal illustrations help young readers anticipate what comes next, aiding in language development and memory.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and parents looking to engage their kids in participatory reading.

• 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 zoo sends a series of unsuitable pets that are sent back for being too big, too scary, or too grumpy.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive lift-the-flap format delights and surprises, encouraging curiosity and interaction with the book.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy interactive reading experiences and learning about different animals.

• Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This simple, predictable book plays with rhymes and surprise reveals, each page offering a visual clue to what’s behind the next page.
  • Why we recommend this book: The playful text and peekaboo windows foster sensory development and guessing-game fun.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who love games of peekaboo and enjoy the thrill of surprise.

Educational Story Books for One-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 story, 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 rhyming, early literacy skills
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, bold text and bright, cheerful illustrations make learning the alphabet fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn the alphabet and parents who enjoy reading playful, rhythmic texts.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: This gentle story features Little Nutbrown Hare showing his daddy how much he loves him - as wide as he can reach and as far as he can hop.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, counting, measuring concepts
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully captures the heartfelt bond between parent and child, making it a perfect bedtime read.
  • Perfect for: Young children and parents looking for a heartwarming bedtime story that celebrates love.

• First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
  • Genre(s): Educational, Word Book
  • Synopsis: A simple book that introduces babies and toddlers to 100 essential first words and pictures, grouped into categories like pets, toys, and food.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary building, picture-word association, early language skills
  • Why we recommend this book: Its clear, simple images and bold text are easy for babies to focus on, enhancing their recognition skills.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers starting to learn words and parents who want to stimulate early language development.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Peter, a young boy who explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Exploration and curiosity, understanding weather and seasons, sensory experiences
  • Why we recommend this book: Its charming illustrations and simple, evocative text capture the magic and boundless possibilities of a snowy day.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy stories about adventure and exploration, especially during the winter season.

• Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt
  • Genre(s): Touch and Feel Book, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This classic book invites babies and toddlers to touch and feel different textures, such as a soft bunny, a rough daddy's beard, and more.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory skills, hand-eye coordination, object-word association
  • Why we recommend this book: Its interactive play-along elements make it a timeless favorite for sensory development.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who are developing their tactile senses and parents who enjoy interactive, sensory-rich reading experiences with their children.

Challenging Story Books for One-Year-Olds

• Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: Sally, Spot's mother, searches for him around the house as he hides behind various objects. Each page features a flap that lifts to reveal different animals.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of flaps to find Spot introduces young readers to the concept of object permanence and spatial awareness.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the fun of hide-and-seek with the joy of discovering what's hidden behind each flap, making it engaging and interactive.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love interactive play and animal characters.

• 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 sit on a branch and wait, worrying and wondering when she will return.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of separation and anxiety, which are complex emotions for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully addresses and resolves the anxiety of separation, reassuring children with its comforting conclusion.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers experiencing separation anxiety or those who enjoy stories about family and love.

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: This book celebrates the joy of babies born all over the world, emphasizing what all babies have in common—ten little fingers and ten little toes.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of diversity and similarity through a simple, rhythmic narrative that engages young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes early numeracy skills and global awareness in a very tender, loving way.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers learning to count and parents who want to introduce concepts of diversity through a gentle narrative.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Classic
  • Synopsis: This classic tale follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, eating as many vegetables as he can before Mr. McGregor chases him away.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure and the use of more formal language provide linguistic complexity that is higher than typical for the age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures imagination with its delightful story and beautifully detailed illustrations, encouraging a love for reading and storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy animal adventures and parents who appreciate classic children's literature.

• Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyme Book
  • Synopsis: In this rhyming, picture book, children play 'I Spy' with various characters from traditional nursery rhymes and fairy tales.
  • Why this book is challenging: It encourages young readers to engage in the text through rhyme and seek-and-find elements, promoting both language and observational skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, interactive read that introduces classic characters in a playful, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy rhyming texts and playing 'I Spy' games.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A kind witch invites various animals to join her on her broom, much to the dismay of her cat. When danger strikes, they all work together to overcome it.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story builds on themes of friendship and teamwork through a cumulative tale structure, which adds complexity to the narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches values of kindness and cooperation through a captivating, rhythmic story and vibrant illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy stories about teamwork and magical adventures.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing your one-year-old to the magical world of books is an exciting journey. Here are some fun and effective exercises designed to nurture a love for reading in your little one. These activities are simple yet impactful in developing early reading habits.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the pages of a storybook, focusing on the pictures without reading the text.
  • How it helps: Enhances visual understanding and sets a foundation for storytelling.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Read Aloud
  • What it is: Read stories aloud to your child using expressive tones and voices.
  • How it helps: Improves listening skills and helps them associate sounds with images and emotions.
  • Tips: Change your voice for different characters to make the reading more engaging.

• Point and Name
  • What it is: Point to different objects and characters in the book and name them.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and aids in language development.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to point and try naming the objects themselves.

• Sing Along
  • What it is: Use books that can be sung or have rhythmic texts that mimic the cadence of a song.
  • How it helps: Develops an ear for language rhythms and can improve memory and recall.
  • Tips: Keep the melody simple and repeat often to help your child catch on.

• Simple Questions
  • What it is: After reading, ask simple questions about the story like "Where is the dog?" or "What color is the car?"
  • How it helps: Encourages thinking and understanding of simple story concepts.
  • Tips: Keep questions straightforward and directly related to the story or pictures.

• Book Choice
  • What it is: Let your child pick the book for reading time.
  • How it helps: Fosters independence and interest in reading.
  • Tips: Guide them by offering a selection of two or three books to choose from.

• Repeat Readings
  • What it is: Read the same book multiple times.
  • How it helps: Reinforces language patterns and makes storytelling familiar and enjoyable.
  • Tips: Ask your child to “read” parts of the book they remember from previous sessions.

Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine will not only enhance your child’s early literacy skills but also strengthen your bond. Remember, the goal is to make reading a fun and interactive experience that your child looks forward to. Happy reading!