By the time your little one hits their first birthday, they’ll likely be ready for some new books. While when they were smaller they probably loved those high contrast, sparsely worded books, between 12 and 24 months, they’ll be ready for (relatively) more complex tales and interactive reads. From timeless classics to lift-the-flap favorites, here are ten great books for one-year-olds.
Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown, pictures by Clement Hurd
Let’s start off with the bedtime classic Goodnight Moon. The simple tale takes us on a bedtime tour, creating a string of goodnights from “goodnight room” to “goodnight noises everywhere.” There’s some intangible comfort in that great green room, inspiring all to relax and ready for bed. Make sure this enduring classic is on your shelf.
Hello Farm, by Nicola Slater
Next we have Hello Farm, the first of several lift-the-flap books on this list. In this interactive tale, all the little friends on the farm come out to play. It’s a cute book full of flap-lifting fun for little ones.
Kindness Makes Us Strong, by Sophie Beer
With a sweet message and wonderful illustrations, Kindness Makes Us Strong is one of our favorites. The book shares different ways to be kind, like through patience, helping, and offering comfort. The story offers necessary lessons for children and adults alike.
Little Blue Truck’s Springtime, by by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
Warning: the countryside rhymes of Little Blue Truck’s Springtime will get stuck in your head. Another farm-themed lift-the-flap book, the story follows the Little Blue Truck and Toad as they cruise through the countryside and see what’s going on with all the animals. It’s a cute tale perfect for those “yoo-hoo sky-blue spring-sing days.”
No! My First Book of Protest, by Julie Merberg, illustrated by Molly Egan
In No! My First Book of Protest, we learn about activists from throughout history to today. From Frederick Douglass to Greta Thunberg, this book teaches us about those who made a difference by standing up for what they believed in. Worry not, the final pages caution little ones that they’ll have to wait until they’re older to protest, and right now it’s best to listen.
Potty, Leslie Patricelli
While your little one may not be ready for potty training, this book is a fun way to introduce the concept. It teaches little ones about what to do when it’s time to use the potty.
The Pigeon Needs a Bath Book, by Mo Willems
Here we have a book that can go in the bath! The Pigeon is back, and this time he’s taking a bath. Even though he doesn’t want to. (Come to think of it, “maybe YOU need a bath.”) Grab The Pigeon Needs a Bath Book and SPLASH to join the Pigeon on his bath time adventure.
This Little Piggie, Cottage Door Press
This book recounts the classic nursery rhyme with the help of a pink piggie finger puppet. Between the finger puppet fun and wiggling your little one’s toes to the story, this version of This Little Piggie is a hit with little readers (well, listeners).
Where’s Spot? By Eric Hill
In longtime children’s favorite Where’s Spot? mischievous little Spot is hiding from his mother and missing his supper. Join Sally as she searches the house (and finds lots of other creatures along the way) in pursuit of Spot. Plenty of flap-lifting and surprising characters abound.
Where’s the Dog, by Nosy Crow, Ingela P Arrhenius (Illustrator)
Little ones help find the animals hiding behind felt flaps. The end features a fun surprise — a mirror behind the final flap for little ones to marvel at their reflection. As a simple book better for those just around 12 months, it’s a cute introduction to the many other interactive lift-the-flap books.
