Save This For Later
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Finding the best books for 1-year-olds can feel overwhelming—there are so many board books, classics, and modern favorites to choose from. As a mom of three and a longtime public school educator, I’ve seen firsthand how the right books spark early language development, curiosity, and connection.
To help parents skip the guesswork, I’ve rounded up the 100 best books for your 1-year-old in 2026, from timeless classics to interactive, toddler-friendly picks. These books are simple, sturdy, and engaging—the perfect mix for this age. Whether you’re building a home library or looking for a few new bedtime favorites, this guide makes it easy to find age-appropriate, high-quality books your little one will love.
💡For expert recommendations and a wide range of age-appropriate reads, explore the ultimate guide to the best books for kids of all ages and stages.
Best Books for 1-Year-Olds (2026): Quick Favorites
If you want the fastest picks, these crowd favorites are perfect for early language, engagement, and cozy reading time.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle) – Bright, simple visuals that hold a toddler’s attention.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Bill Martin Jr.) – Repetitive rhythm that boosts early language.
Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown) – A calm, predictable bedtime classic.
Dear Zoo (Rod Campbell) – Lift-the-flap fun that encourages curiosity and interaction.
Where Is Baby’s Belly Button? (Karen Katz) – Simple flaps that support body awareness and early motor skills.
Good Night, Gorilla (Peggy Rathmann) – Silly, simple storytelling that 1-year-olds instantly understand.
Peek-a-Who? (Nina Laden) – Bold colors and peekaboo play that toddlers love.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Bill Martin Jr.) – A lively, rhythmic ABC book that introduces letters through fun repetition.
Short Rhyming Books
Rhymes and repetition help build early language skills and keep little ones engaged.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Eric Carle)
A classic and colorful book that introduces young children to animals and colors through simple, repetitive text and fun rhymes. It helps develop language skills and sparks curiosity with vibrant illustrations.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Bill Martin Jr.)
This book uses catchy rhymes and bright illustrations to introduce young children to the alphabet and boost early literacy skills. It makes learning letters fun and engaging.
Five Little Monkeys (Juliet Appleby)
This silly book tells the classic story about five little monkeys that didn’t heed their mother’s advice about jumping on the bed!
Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown)
This book uses gentle words and calming illustrations to help children feel safe and cozy at bedtime, making sleep routines easier.
Time For Bed (Mem Fox)
This cozy book has soothing repetitive language and conveys safety and warm affection, helping secure a strong parent-child bond.
Everywhere Babies (Susan Meyers)
Celebrates babies everywhere with rhymes and pictures that embrace the joy and diversity of baby life.
Ten Tiny Toes (Carolyne Jayne Church)
This classic picture book is a joyful twist on “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes) and will bring plenty of giggles at bedtime.
Besos for Baby (Jen Arena)
A bilingual book sharing love through simple Spanish words and bold illustrations, perfect for family bonding.
Classic Books for 1-Year-Olds
These timeless stories have been family favorites for generations.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle)
A delightful and colorful story that teaches young children counting, days of the week, and the butterfly life cycle.
The Snowy Day (Ezra Jack Keats)
A gentle and charming story about a boy exploring the magic of a snowy day. With simple illustrations and themes of wonder, it’s perfect for bedtime or quiet moments.
The Going to Bed Book (Sandra Boynton)
The simple illustrations and familiar scenes help make bedtime comforting and engaging as they introduce playful animals and humor.
Little Blue Truck (Alice Schertle)
Little Blue Truck combines fun truck and animal sounds to teach children about friendship and kindness. Its lively noises and cheerful story engage young readers and promote social skills.
I Am a Bunny (Richard Scarry)
I Am a Bunny uses charming illustrations and a simple story to introduce young children to nature and the changing seasons. It nurtures curiosity and appreciation for the natural world in little ones.
Winnie The Pooh (A.A. Milne)
Follow Pooh and friends on heartwarming adventures that teach friendship, kindness, and acceptance in a comforting, timeless setting.
Guess How Much I Love You (Sam McBratney)
A sweet bedtime story showing the infinite love between a parent and child through a charming dialogue between Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare.
The Original Mother Goose (Blanche Fisher Wright)
Every baby nursery needs this classic collection of Mother Goose rhymes like “Three Blind Mice,” “Humpty Dumpty,” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”
Madeline (Ludwig Bemelmans)
Madeline is a young girl with a free spirit living in Paris. (To the tiger in the zoo, Madeline just says “Pooh Pooh.”) The book takes you on Madeline’s unexpected adventure to the hospital.
Velveteen Rabbit (Margery Williams)
A heartfelt tale about love and becoming “real,” teaching children about the power of love, acceptance, and self-worth.
Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak)
A creative journey into imagination where children learn about emotions, friendship, and the power of play through Max’s wild adventure.
As your one-year-old grows, you’ll want to explore our complete resource for books suited to every childhood stage.
Corduroy (Don Freeman)
Follows a teddy bear’s quest for a missing button and a home, promoting themes of belonging and friendship in a warm, comforting story.
Eloise (Kay Thompson)
Kids will love getting to know capricious and irreverent Eloise who lives at The Plaza Hotel in New York City (not bad for a six year old!).
Make Way For Ducklings (Robert McClosky)
A timeless tale of family and home featuring mallard ducks raising their ducklings, encouraging appreciation for nature and community.
The Story of Ferdinand (Munro Leaf)
Originally published in 1936, a gentle bull who prefers flowers to fighting teaches children about peace, kindness, and being true to oneself.
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (Virginia Lee Burton)
A classic tale about friendship, hard work, and adapting to change through the story of Mike and his steam shovel, Mary Anne.
Love You Forever (Robert Munsch)
A touching story about a mother’s enduring love for her son throughout his life, celebrating unconditional love and family bonds.
Tikki Tikki Tembo (Arlene Mosel)
This 1968 book tells the story of a Chinese boy with a long name who falls into a well. It’s a folk tale about why Chinese names are short today.
The Red Balloon (Albert Lamorisse)
This beautiful story is about a red balloon with a life of its own that follows a little boy around the streets of Paris.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee (Philip C. Stead)
A kind zookeeper’s animal friends return the favor by caring for him when he’s sick, teaching kindness and friendship.
The Little Engine That Could (Watty Piper)
This inspiring tale encourages perseverance and optimism through the story of a small engine’s determination to succeed.
Harry the Dirty Dog (Gene Zion)
A playful story about a mischievous dog who gets so dirty his family doesn’t recognize him, encouraging fun and imagination.
Grimm’s Fairy Tales (The Brothers Grimm)
Classic stories like Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty are all found in Grimm’s Fairy Tales. But beware! The versions in this original edition don’t always end as happily as our fairy tales today. It’s an especially good choice for older kids who are ready for a new kind of fairy tale.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (Laura Numeroff)
This silly story helps illustrate the concept of a slippery slope. It’s a “circular tale” that ends up right where it began.
Green Eggs & Ham (Dr. Seuss)
Green Eggs & Ham is a classic bestseller because of its catchy rhymes and whimsical illustrations by the late Dr. Seuss.
The Runaway Bunny (Margaret Wise Brown)
This Margaret Wise Brown classic is a bout a little bunny who wants to run away but his mother tells him she’ll run after him. It’s about a child’s need for both independence and unconditional love.
Clifford the Big Red Dog (Blaise Hemingway)
The lovable Clifford is much too enormous for the world he’s living in, but sometimes it comes in handy.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go (Dr. Seuss)
An inspiring guide through life’s challenges and joys, encouraging children to embrace new adventures with confidence.
Curious George (H.A. Rey & Margaret Rey)
A mischievous little monkey whose playful adventures spark curiosity and early problem-solving skills.
The Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss)
This memorable Dr. Seuss classic revolves around a tall cat who wears his signature red-and-white-striped top hat and a red bow tie.
The Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein)
The Giving Tree is about the relationship between a young boy and his favorite apple tree. He asks more and more of the tree as he moves through the different stages of life. This unforgettable story will leave you wondering about its lessons.
Good Night, Gorilla (Peggy Rathmann)
It’s time to go to sleep, but this mischievous gorilla isn’t ready. Instead, he follows the zookeeper on his rounds and lets all the animals out of their cages.
Go Dog Go (P.D. Eastman)
A lively story featuring dogs doing all kinds of human activities, teaching early concepts like opposites and colors through repetition.
A Child’s Book of Poems (Gyo Fujikawa)
A diverse collection of 200 classic poems that introduce children to rhythm, language, and imagination.
The Little Red Caboose (Marian Potter)
A sweet story about a humble caboose discovering its importance, helping little ones learn about teamwork and self-worth.
Aesop’s Fables
Timeless animal stories that teach valuable moral lessons, brought to life with beautiful illustrations.
Harold and the Purple Crayon (Crockett Johnson)
Harold is a curious four-year-old boy who has the power to create his own works with his purple crayon just by drawing it. It will inspire the youngest children to take initiative and create their own worlds.
The Lorax (Dr. Seuss)
This timeless classic about the majestic truffula tree is the perfect book for teaching kids about sustainability and being a steward of their natural environment.
A Bear Called Paddington (Michael Bond)
Follow Paddington Bear’s adventures from Peru to London, teaching kindness, curiosity, and family acceptance.
Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is the original classic by Beatrix Potter. It tells the story of a very mischievous rabbit and the trouble he encounters in Mr McGregor’s vegetable garden!
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Cozy Classics Series)
Adapted for little ones with simple words and sturdy pages, this introduces classic literature in an accessible way.
Reading to your 1-year-old is wonderful, and combining it with hands-on play from our age-appropriate baby activities guide creates even richer learning experiences.
Lift-the-Flap Books for 1-Year-Olds
Interactive flaps keep toddlers engaged and support fine-motor skills.”
Where Is Baby’s Belly Button? (Karen Katz)
Where Is Baby’s Belly Button? is an interactive board book with playful design that supports body awareness and fine motor skill development, making reading time engaging and educational.
Whose Knees Are These? (Jabari Asim)
Whose Knees Are These? uses playful rhymes and colorful illustrations to introduce young children to their body parts.
Dear Zoo (Rod Campbell)
An interactive flap book that introduces animals with surprise reveals, encouraging engagement and curiosity.
Counting Kisses (Karen Katz)
Have fun discovering just how many kisses a tired baby needs before bedtime in this interactive lift-the-flap book. Count and kiss together!
Peek-A-Who? (Karen Katz)
A colorful peekaboo book with simple rhymes that keeps babies engaged and encourages early guessing skills.
High-Contrast Books for 1-Year-Olds
Bold black-and-white images are ideal for early visual development, helping babies focus and track shapes during reading time.
Look, Look! (Peter Linenthal)
Look, look! is perfect for baby’s eyes because of the high-contrast black-and-white art. It’s an ideal first board book, created by an elementary school teacher.
Black & White (Tana Hoban)
A classic accordion-style book with bold, simple images perfect for newborns and young toddlers.
Hello, Baby: A High-Contrast Book (Roger Priddy)
Stark black-and-white with pops of yellow; extremely baby-friendly and widely recommended.
Hello, Baby Animals: A High-Contrast Book (Duopress Labs)
Simple baby animals in pure black and white—great for attention, social development, and first identifications.
White on Black (Tana Hoban)
Pairs perfectly with Black & White—reverses the contrast and is adored by parents for newborns.
Art for Baby: High-Contrast Images by Contemporary Artists
A unique option featuring museum-quality black-and-white art adapted for infant vision.
Touch-and-Feel Books
Tactile textures introduce sensory exploration, making reading feel hands-on and exciting for curious toddlers.
Pat The Bunny (Dorothy Kunhardt)
Pat the Bunny, published in 1940, is the original “touch and feel” book for babies and small children. It’s a perennial best-seller for good reason. Your baby’s little hands will cherish it.
Baby Touch & Feel (Roger Priddy)
A tactile book with various textures and animal images that engage babies’ senses and encourage exploration.
Modern Favorites for 1-Year-Olds
These newer picture books blend engaging illustrations with simple, relatable themes that connect well with today’s toddlers.
Say Hello (Rachel Isidora)
Say Hello by Rachel Isadora introduces young children to diverse cultures and languages with colorful illustrations and simple, repetitive text. It encourages curiosity and helps build an appreciation for the world’s diversity.
My First Emoji Animals (Weldon Owen, Inc.)
An animal book for a new generation, this simple and colorful book teaches kids about farm animals with engaging emoji images.
Everyone Poops (Taro Gomi)
A straightforward, humorous book teaching children about the natural process of all living beings pooping, promoting body awareness.
Olivia (Ian Falconer)
Features a confident and spirited pig named Olivia, inspiring children to embrace their own individuality.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (Mo Willems)
A humorous interactive story where children decide if the pigeon gets to drive, teaching decision-making and humor.
Press Here (Herve Tullet)
This interactive book encourages kids to push on the dots, shake the book, and blow on the book in order to manipulate the illustrations.
The Day The Crayons Quit (Drew Daywalt)
Duncan wants to color, but his crayons have quit. He’ll need to find a way to appease each of their concerns so he can get back to drawing!
Diary of a Wombat (Jacky French)
A wombat is a slow, cuddly Australian animal who loves to eat and sleep. This picture book has only brief text and funny illustrations and it will make your child fall in love with wombats.
Last Stop on Market Street (Matt de la Peña & Christian Robinson)
A warm, modern classic about gratitude and noticing beauty in everyday moments through the eyes of a child and his grandmother.
Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada (Jimmy Fallon)
A humorous take on how dads try to be their baby’s first word, promoting family bonding and laughter.
Llama Llama Red Pajama (Anna Dewdney)
A relatable bedtime story capturing the drama and emotions of going to sleep, perfect for young children.
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site (Sherri Duskey Rinker)
A relatable bedtime story capturing the drama and emotions of going to sleep, perfect for young children.
On the Night You Were Born (Nancy Tillman)
This book gets to the heart of the joy a parent feels when their child is born. “The moon stayed up til morning. The polar bears danced.” It celebrates the love a family has for their child.
Giraffes Can’t Dance (Giles Andreae)
Inspires children to be themselves and find their own rhythm through the story of Gerald the giraffe.
Hair Love (Matthew A. Cherry)
A heartfelt story about a father and daughter bonding over styling her hair, celebrating self-confidence and family love.
Little You (Richard Van Camp)
This tender board book for babies and toddlers celebrates the potential of every child.
We Are Family (Patricia Hegarty)
This book highlights how all families are different, and yet share many similarities.
Knuffle Bunny (Mo Willems)
A humorous story about a toddler’s lost teddy bear and a father’s chaotic search, emphasizing love and family.
The Book With No Pictures (B.J. Novak)
A hilarious book that makes kids laugh at silly words and encourages playful reading interaction with adults.
The Wonderful Things You Will Be (Emily Winfield Martin)
This book is a poem about growing up and it explores all the wonderful things your child can choose to be.
The Colors of Us (Karen Katz)
Seven-year-old Lena learns that brown comes in many different shades. This book celebrates the differences and similarities that connect us all.
If I Had a Little Dream (Nina Laden)
This book celebrates the wonder of the world we live in, focusing on the joy, love and beauty in the everyday.
I Wish You More (Amy Krouse Rosenthal)
This is an inspirational book for kids of endless good wishes that will bring positivity to all who read it.
The Pout-Pout Fish (Deborah Diesen)
Mr. Fish has a permanent pout, spreading the “dreary wearies” all around him. Can his friends help him turn it around? Young kids will love the bright ocean colors and playful rhymes in this fun book.
Kitten’s First Full Moon (Kevin Henkes)
A charming adventure as a kitten mistakes the full moon for milk, inspiring curiosity and perseverance.
Uni the Unicorn (Amy Krouse Rosenthal)
A magical tale about friendship and believing in the impossible, perfect for fostering imagination.
The Invisible String (Patrice Karst)
This book is about the unbreakable connections between loved ones. This contemporary classic reassures us that we are all connected by an invisible string of love.
In My Heart (Jo Witek)
This book celebrates all the feelings, big and small, and explores the min with whimsical illustration and lyrical language.
I Love You Through and Through (Carolyn Jayne)
Celebrates loving every part of a child, through ups and downs, reinforcing unconditional love and acceptance.
First 100 Words (Roger Priddy)
This book will help develop a baby’s speech by learning the words for 100 common, everyday items with bright pictures and labels.
Gossie (Olivier Dunrea)
Gossie is a small yellow gosling who loves to wear bright red boots every day. But one day, she can’t find them!
Read to Your Baby Every Day (Rachel Williams)
These classic rhymes from the Mother Goose collection introduce your baby to a world of words and pictures paired with images of Chloe Giordano’s delightful hand-embroidered illustrations on cloth.
In the Tall Tall Grass (Denise Fleming)
This book will help kids imagine what they would see if they were a fuzzy caterpillar crawling through the tall, tall grass on a sunny afternoon.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Iza Trapani, Jane Taylor)
In this expanded version of the favorite nursery rhyme, the reader is taken on a journey across the night sky. It’s a new spin on a favorite classic.
Good Night, Darth Vader (Jeffrey Brown)
A funny bedtime story featuring Darth Vader as a parent, making bedtime fun for Star Wars fans and families.
Baby Happy, Baby Sad (Leslie Patricelli)
This book explores the emotions that are a part of a baby’s every day lift in a fun, comical way.
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type ( Doreen Cronin)
A quirky story about cows who type demands, teaching problem-solving and negotiation with humor.
Owl Moon (Jane Yolen)
In this calming book, a little girl and her father go owling late one winter night. The trees are still as statues and the world is silent as a dream.
97. The Rainbow Fish (Marcus Pfister)
This special book stands out among the others with shiny foil stamping and glitter. But the best part is the memorable story about a fish who makes friends by sharing his most prized possessions. It’s the perfect story to teach kids about sharing.
98. All The World (Liz Garton Scanlon)
This book affirms the importance of all things great and small in our world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to the family we love.
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth (Oliver Teffers)
This sweet, humorous book is an instruction guide for kids living on Planet Earth. It’s a great read that the author created especially for his own child, but that we can all enjoy.
From classic children’s books that have stood the test of time to modern picture books that have stolen our hearts, there’s something for everyone on this list. These board books create the perfect foundation for your baby’s first at-home activities for kids that introduce learning through gentle exploration.
We hope you have loved this list of the best children’s books as much as we loved creating it. Those early years of reading together are special and magical, and we wish you hours of sweet bedtime snuggles.
Related Posts:
50 Best Toys for Your One Year Old
25 Best Science Books for Your First Grader
35 Best Activities for Three Month Olds
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
