The Very Best Books for One Year Olds
You probably already know that reading to your one year old is so important. But what are some of the best books for one year olds? Keep reading – I’m going to tell you!
As a former elementary school teacher, I am passionate about children being read to at a young age. The benefits are seemingly endless – young children build language skills, learn about the world, develop important cognitive skills, and more. Some studies have even shown that being read to is a predictor of future academic success! Now, as a mom to two girls, I’ve collected a list of books perfect for reading to your young toddler (starring the absolute favorites in our home).
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What makes a book perfect for a one year old?
Wondering what helps a book land on the “best books for one year olds” list? Here are some factors we’re looking for:
- Board books – It’s no secret that one year olds aren’t exactly gentle with their belongings. Look for books that can hold up to being dropped, chewed on, thrown, and more.
- Predictable, repetitive text.
- Sensory/touch-and-feel books are fun to read and play with.
- Musical books with buttons that play sounds will delight your child!
- Lift-the-flap books are engaging and encourage fine motor skills, too.
- Poke-a-Dot books are fun and the “dots” are so satisfying to press!
So without further ado – here are some of the best books for one year olds!
Our Top 10 Tried-and-True Best Books for One Year Olds and Young Toddlers:
Poke a Dot: The Wheels on the Bus Wild Safari
When I first saw these Poke a Dot books all over Instagram, I was skeptical. The little “dots” are just plastic! They don’t play music or anything like that. Could they really be as engaging for kids as people said? YES. Yes they could. Both my one year old and my five year old LOVE poking the dots in these books! It makes a very satisfying “click”, and the little buttons are easy enough for little hands to poke independently. This particular book has a fun safari-themed rendition of “The Wheels on the Bus.” We love it!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Such a classic! The predictable pattern and bright colors are perfect for one year olds. My girls both love this one!
Green Eggs and Ham
This book is an absolute favorite in our house. Rhyming, silly, a Dr. Seuss classic. And just when I thought Green Eggs and Ham couldn’t get any better – A SILLY SOUNDS VERSION EXISTS. A young toddler’s dream come true!
Brown Bear Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Ella (my five year old) can recite this whole book from memory. The predictable, repetitive text is excellent. She reads it to Ruthie (my one year old) by herself. This classic also features beautiful bright pictures and teachers colors and animals… what’s not to love?! We own this slide-and-find version and it’s so fun!
That’s Not My Unicorn…
This is just one book in the “That’s Not My…” series, and all of them are perfect for one year olds. These touch-and-feel sensory books feature fuzzy, scratchy, bumpy, and smooth pages and repetitive text. Fun to read and play with!
Never Touch a Polar Bear
Another book from a fun series. The “Never Touch a…” are also sensory touch-and-feel books, and they are silly too!
Moo Baa La La La
Sandra Boynton books are fun and silly and the illustrations are sweet. This one is sure to make your kiddo smile!
God Made You Special!
This VeggieTales book is a household favorite. It features the lyrics to a Veggie Tales song and the pictures are bright and inviting. Perfect for reading to your little one and teaching them about God’s love!
Pig the Pug
Pig the pug is selfish, stubborn, and oh so funny! We are obsessed with these silly rhyming books, and so excited that they come in board books, too!
Jesus Loves Me
This picture book version of the classic song has sweet pictures that your little one will enjoy, and it’s perfect for reading and singing to your one year old!
Of course, the possibilities are endless when choosing books to read with your one year old. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t believe you can ever really have too many books!
Even More Great Books for One Year Olds:
I Love You, Every Little Bit
Baby Colors
Goodnight Moon
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Guess How Much I Love You
Dear Zoo
Poke a Dot Farm Animals
That’s Not My Dog…
Never Touch a Shark
On the Night You Were Born
Doggies
Noisy Farm
The Pout Pout Fish
Where’s Spot
Jesus Loves Me Songbook
Elmo’s Farm Friends
Tips for reading to one-year-olds
Reading to one-year-olds can be a joyful and rewarding experience, but it’s important to keep in mind a few tips to ensure that it is a positive experience for both your little one and you.
When reading to your young toddler, you’ll want to make reading an interactive and multisensory experience. Encourage your one-year-old to touch, feel, and explore the books, allowing them to engage with the content in a hands-on way. Pointing out the illustrations, asking questions, and incorporating movement or sound effects can also help to keep your child’s attention and foster a deeper connection with the story.
And remember, it’s important to be patient and flexible when reading to one-year-olds. Their attention spans may be short, and they may want to flip through the pages or move around during the reading session. Rather than forcing them to sit still, embrace their natural curiosity and allow them to explore the books at their own pace. This will help to create a positive and enjoyable reading experience for your child.
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Which book on the list is your favorite? Comment below or message me on Instagram and let me know!
