Books make some of the best baby shower gifts: they last for years and turn into family favorites. Many showers now ask guests to bring a book instead of a card. Here are sturdy board books and sweet read-alouds to start a new baby’s library.
1. You Are Loved: A Capybara’s Welcome
written and illustrated by Helen H. Wu; CapyFun, 2026
A capybara parent and child share a gentle, rhyming celebration of love through every season. A sturdy board book and a sweet keepsake for a new family.
2. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008
Babies born all around the world are different in many ways, but they all have ten little fingers and ten little toes. Helen Oxenbury’s soft illustrations and Mem Fox’s soothing rhyme make this a sweet, inclusive gift for any new family.
3. The Wonderful Things You Will Be
by Emily Winfield Martin; Random House Books for Young Readers, 2015
This rhyming book reads like a love letter to a new child, imagining all the kind, brave, and curious people they might grow up to be. Its dreamy illustrations make it a keepsake that parents will want to read aloud for years.
4. Global Babies
by The Global Fund for Children; Charlesbridge, 2007
Bright photographs of babies from many countries and cultures fill this sturdy board book, and little ones love looking at faces. It’s a simple, joyful way to show a new baby how big and beautiful the world is.
5. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle; Henry Holt and Co., 1967
The rhythmic question-and-answer text and Eric Carle’s bold animal collages have been capturing babies’ attention for generations. The board book edition holds up to chewing and many, many rereadings.
6. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle; Philomel Books, 1969
A tiny caterpillar munches its way through the week before turning into a beautiful butterfly. With die-cut holes to poke little fingers through and gentle lessons about counting and the days of the week, it belongs on every nursery shelf.
7. Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book
by Rod Campbell; Little Simon, 1982
A child writes to the zoo asking for a pet, and each crate that arrives hides a surprise animal under a flap. The repeating text and peekaboo fun make it a favorite for babies and toddlers.
8. Little Blue Truck
by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008
A friendly little truck beeps hello to the farm animals, and when a bossy dump truck gets stuck, those friends come to the rescue. Full of animal sounds and a warm message about kindness, it’s a toddler favorite that families come back to again and again.
Tip: write a short note to the baby inside the front cover. It turns a book into a keepsake.
More picture book lists
- 8 Sweet Bedtime and I-Love-You Books for Babies and Toddlers
- Valentine’s Day Books for Babies and Toddlers
- Capybara Books for Kids: Stories and Fun Facts
- Picture Books for Father’s Day
Browse all of Helen’s picture book lists, or see all of Helen’s books.
