I believe that board books are an essential literacy tool for little bookworms. They are sturdy enough to take a real beating and are usually geared towards the tiniest of “readers” with their bright illustrations and simple words and phrases. It is so important that young children, and even babies, have the opportunity to handle books themselves and learn how to hold them and turn pages. Even at such a young age they can begin to develop an interest and love in books that can develop their whole lives. Below I am sharing some of the board books that we are currently loving in our home. Most of them are brand new releases this year, but I threw in a couple older ones for good measure and a couple that are soon to be released. I hope you find a new favorite for your tiny bookworms.
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Deep in the Forest: A Seek and Find Adventure by Josef Antòn and Lucie Brunellière– This is an oversized board book with a flap to lift on each page spread and over 50 animals hiding in the pages to be found. The illustrations are vibrant and stunning.
“My Little Cities: New York” and “My Little Cities: London” by Jennifer Adams and Greg Pizzoli- These board books each feature their respective city by spotlighting a few of the cities highlights in the illustrations. They are accompanied by simple text (just a few words at a time) in large font. Perfect for tiny travelers or just exploring the world from the comfort of your home. (These titles release April 11th and are available for pre-order)
“Before and After” by Jean Jullien- I love the modern illustrations in this hefty board book. Not only are they bright and fun, but they help teach opposites by showing items before and after a change takes place. This books is also excellent for teaching inferring.
“Peep and Egg” by Laura Gehl and Joyce Wan- This is the adorable story of an egg who is afraid to hatch. Eventually he learns that it is worth it to gather your courage to overcome your fears. This one in particular would make an amazing Easter basket stuffer!
“See How I Sleep” by Liesbet Slegers- This board book has slide out pages that feature how different animals sleep. My kiddos think it is pure magic and it is one that they have been asking for at bedtime again and again.
“I took The Moon For a Walk” by Carolyn Curtis and Alison Jay- If you are looking for a soothing bedtime story with sentimental charm, this one will do the trick. It has gorgeous illustrations and beautiful text that combined tell the story of a little boy and how the moon walked him home.
“fly!” by Xavier Deneux- Brilliant! That is what this book is! There are removable piece for each page spread that help to tell the story of how a baby chick hatches and takes it’s first flight. Children will be delighted by the interactive features of this book and parents are sure to enjoy it as well.
“Dotty’s First Book” by Becky Baur- This is a beautifully modern primer that has a bit of a vintage feel to it. The pages are bigger than your typical board book and have periodic cut-outs in the illustrations to add to the fun. Perfect for introducing some new words, colors and shapes to tiny readers.
“Do You See My Tail?” and “When I Grow Up” by Anita Bijsterbosch- These books are a mix between a board book and a standard book because the pages are thick and sturdy, but still flexible unlike a board book. They sport huge flaps that allow children to reveal the animals attached to tails or the grown-up version of a baby animal. So much fun! (“When I Grow Up” releases this April and is available for pre-order)
“Little Billy-Bob Eats it All Up” by Pauline Oud- Little Billy Bob is a great example to young children of trying new foods and enjoying mealtime. All done in a playful way with bright illustrations sure to capture attention.
“Opposite Surprise” by Agnese Baruzzi- True to form, Agnese uses a fun and innovative format in this board book. Each page spread shows an illustration that appears to be one thing, but reveals the opposite when the page is unfolded. A clever and unique way to introduce opposites. (“Opposite Surprise” is released April 1st and is available for pre-order now)
“Animal Friends: Barnyard Jamboree!” and “Animal Friends: Swimming Hole Party” by Junzo Terada- These board books are made in the entertaining format where the first page is the smallest and each preceding page is a bit bigger and bigger in succession. Also, each page is a fun unique shape as opposed to your typical squares. These books are perfect for babies and young toddlers with their joyful, yet basic text and bold illustrations.
“Mommy Snuggles” by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallebsleben- This is a darling little board book that how’s different mother animals with their babies. A sweet book to tell your children you love them. (This book releases in April and is available for pre-order now)
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