To develop the language and observation skills of 1-year olds, doctors recommend parents spend more time reading with their little ones. The best books for 1 year old can help develop their vocabulary, rational expression, and language skills. It has a lasting effect as it forms the foundation for their learning pursuits. To help you choose the best, check out the list of the best books for one-year-olds below.

11 Best Books For One-Year-Olds

1. Best With Bright Illustrations: Deborah Diesen The Pout-Pout Fish

The Pout-Pout Fish is a fun story of a fish and its journey through depression and happiness. This book also explores the different facets of sadness and happiness. The story revolves around a sad fish and other sea creatures who ask the fish to be happy or smile a little. The book comes with bright and understandable illustrations by Dan Hanna. Take a look at this video to know more about the product.  

2. Best For Bedtime: Margaret Wise Brown Goodnight Moon

Goodnight Moon is the iconic bedtime story that takes your baby to dreamland. This book has impeccable illustrations by Clement Hurd. The story revolves around a rabbit and his green room. This calm and soft rhythm is appealing as the rabbit bids goodnight to everyone and every object present in the room. It is relatable to the daily life of your little one. You may check more about this productin this video.

3. Best Interactive: Eric Hill Where’s Spot?

Where’s Spot is an interactive, fun story about a cute little puppy and a dog who searches for Spot. It has beautiful illustrations and well-placed sentences that make your little one Lift-the-Flap and search Spot along with the cute puppy. This interactive story also teaches your little one different animals and objects commonly seen in a room. Check out this video to learn more.  

4. Best For Developing Imagination: Rod Campbell Dear Zoo A Lift-the-Flap Book

Dear Zoo is an interactive book with eye-catchy illustrations. This book introduces different zoo animals to your little one. It also defines each unique attribute of the animal. The book creates curiosity and adds imagination to your little one’s thinking.

5. Best With Lovely Artwork: Hannah Hall God Bless You and Good Night

God Bless You and Good Night is another bedtime storybook that takes you through ten different animals’ bedtime routines. It covers all the routine things animal families do, such as bathing, getting on jammies, and hitting a snack before bedtime. This imaginative story makes your little one follow their bedtime routine. The book comes with a precious and understandable piece of artwork.  

6. Best For Sensory Stimulation: ToBe ReadyFor Life Fabric Book

Soft fabric book that is interactive and encourages language and sensory skills. It is made of soft polyester material that includes a mirror and a handle to attach the stroller. The fabric book has bright, attractive images. Every page has an exciting feature and is durable, non-toxic, and machine-washable.

7. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination: Melissa and Doug Whose Feet?

Whose Feet? is a soft activity book, ideally encouraging your little one to glance at a book starting creatively and interactively. This crocodile-inspired book comes with a funny story, dangly feet, and colorful artwork. The machine-washable book introduces different animals and teaches your little one hand-eye coordination.  

8. Best For Language Development: Ditty Bird Children’s Songs Book

Children’s songs book is an excellent sound book that delivers different rhymes and illustrative artwork. The book has push buttons that support language learning. Your little one can now hear different rhymes on each page. This songbook encourages fine motor skills and language abilities in your baby.  

9. Best For Introducing Animals: Little Hippo Touch and Feel Wild Animals

Touch and feel books could be a great addition to teach your baby. This book teaches your infant about how it feels when you touch that specific animal. It also teaches the unique characteristics of the animal. It includes animal images with a unique area to sense them and indulge in an imaginative world. This book is a great way of exploring wild animals and their facts.  

10. Best For Introducing The Alphabet: Maria Harding Animal ABC

Encourage early learning with the Animal ABC book that is well-crafted with attractive illustrations to grab your child’s attention. It helps to teach alphabets and different animals with simple texts. Additionally, this book encourages vocabulary building, visual memory, observation skills, and fun way learning. Each page is made of thick paper.  

11. Best With Easily Recognizable Images: Wonder House My First Library

My first library is a set of ten board books that introduce your infant to alphabets, numbers, shapes, colors, animals, birds, vehicles, vegetables, and fruits. Each book features attractive and easily recognizable images. The books are designed to fit easily in tiny hands with thick paper. These books are ideal for a birthday gift.  

How To Choose The Right Book For One-Year-Olds?

Here are some factors you should consider when buying books for 1-year-old babies.

When To Start Reading To Your Baby?

You can start reading when your baby is in the womb as they respond to familiar voices. However, if you are interested in establishing face-to-face reading time, you can wait for a few months and start reading. Making a regular habit of reading increases the bond between parents and the child. A planned reading session every day encourages the baby’s attention and makes them do well in schooling.

Why Trust MomJunction?

Wedetso Chirhah is an experienced product writer and reviewer specializing in books, automobiles, and other household appliances. He has written this post on the best books for one-year-olds after conducting market research and going through the reviews of customers and users. He has also put together a curated buying guide to help you make an informed decision and choose the right product to suit your needs.

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