This category can be tricky because I could list many, many picture books or board books that we have read over the years — but not all of them have been that meaningful to us. What I am listing here are our 25 absolute favorite board and picture books that were asked for over and over again and that even now our kids will see and say, “Aww, I remember that one!” Every one of these would be excellent for a baby shower gift or to add to your own home library.
Picture Books
Bark George
A dog who is making strange animal sounds must see a doctor to figure out why he can't just bark.
Blueberries For Sal
While picking blueberries with her mother, young Sal realizes that a young bear cub and her mother are also picking...
Caps For Sale
A beloved classic about a cap peddler who runs into a mischievous band of monkeys.
Chrysanthemum
A young mouse with a very long name grows to love her name even though it's different than everyone else's.
Curious George Treasury
After being adopted by the man with the yellow hat, George, a very curious monkey, has all sorts of adventures...
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
A hilarious read-aloud about a pigeon who desperately wants to drive a bus. Will your child let him or not?
Dr. De Soto
A mouse dentist and his wife slyly outwit their hungry wolf patient.
Elephant and Piggie Series
Another wonderful interactive series from Mo Willems about Gerald the Elephant and his friend Piggie.
Giraffes Can’t Dance
A rhyming story about a giraffe who finally realizes he can dance once he finds the right music.
Goodnight Moon
Beloved for generations, this sweet bedtime story is a must-have in all young children's libraries. Our favorite part is to...
Board Books
Baby Beluga
A beautifully-illustrated poem about a baby beluga whale and all of his friends in the arctic.
Barnyard Dance
This fun board book will get you rhyming and slapping your knee to the time as a group of farm...
Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?
The well-known classic that teaches children animals and colors in beautifully-illustrated story form.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
One of the best early introductions to the alphabet in story form! Two of my kids learned their alphabet around...
Dear Zoo
The zoo keeps sending different pets, but will they ever send the perfect one? A lift-the-flap book.
First 100 Words
The brightly illustrated photos in this book have entertained all of my kids and have been great tools for early...
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
Enjoy this familiar rhyme about a family of monkeys that just keep falling off the bed and bumping their heads!
Goodnight, Gorilla
It's bedtime at the zoo, but not all of the animals are going to sleep...
I Love You Stinky Face
A mother declares her unconditional love for her child in all circumstances -- even if his name is Stinky Face.
Is Your Mama a Llama?
A fun, rhythmic rhyming book about a young llama who is looking everywhere in search of his mother.