36 Best Books For One Year Olds to Read Together With Your Child

Discover our guide to 36 of the best books for one year olds.

Every loving parent wants to share the joys of a good book. This carefully curated collection of the 26 best books for one year olds will make reading time magical. As you and your child explore these books together, you may have fond memories of your childhood reading your favorite books.

Even youngsters too young to read can benefit from having stories read to them as they follow along in the book. This list of 36 best books for one year olds includes new favorites and timeless classics that will engage, delight and amuse your little one. If you’re interested in this topic, you’ll love our guide on the best books for soon to be dads!

Here Are The Best Books For One Year Olds

1. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is a classic board book for one-year-olds featuring various crazy animals, like a blue horse, a purple cat, a yellow duck, a happy-go-lucky frog, and more. Each animal prances across the pages for your child to enjoy and linger over and again.

2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Every child should have The Very Hungry Caterpillar in their home library! This delightful book has been read to millions of children worldwide, with an estimated one copy sold every 30 seconds! It’s the perfect book to bring along in the car, to look at during snack time, or any other time! You might also be interested in our list of the best books for nine year olds.

3. Peak-A Who? by Nina Laden

In Peak-A Who? youngsters can identify what is peeking through the cut windows thanks to the colorful illustrations and straightforward rhyming language. Children will be guessing and giggling all the way to the surprise endings because of the anticipation of what’s hidden on the following page and the lively, exciting images. Check out our list of the best books for three year olds.

4. Around the Farm by Eric Carle

Around the Farm is an interactive book with lots of fun, colorful pictures of animals and an electronic side panel. Your child can press on the picture of the animal to hear what sound the animal makes on the farm. There are 30 buttons to push and a fun assortment of animals to look at!

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5. The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin

This sweet book is about parents’ unwavering love for their kids. The Wonderful Things You Will Be honors parents’ love and acceptance for their children and explores how a parent imagines all the great things their child will do over their lifetime. The Wonderful Things You Will Be is unquestionably a sentimental novel ideal for bedtime reading!

6. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Goodnight Moon is a classic bedtime story for children. The book follows a young rabbit saying goodnight to everything around: “goodnight room. Goodnight moon. Goodnight, cow jumping over the moon.” Its soothing rhythm and comforting illustrations have become a beloved bedtime routine for generations of families.

7. I Love You to the Moon and Back by Tim Warner

I Love You to the Moon and Back is a tender and loving children’s book that celebrates the boundless depths of a parent’s affection for their child. With evocative language, this heartwarming story expresses a parent’s limitless love for their child, promising to hold them close and love them always, even to the moon and back. It’s the perfect bedtime story for families to share and enjoy together!

8. Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

Dear Zoo is a delightful children’s lift-the-flap book that takes young readers on a playful journey searching for the perfect pet. Chock full of charming illustrations, this classic story follows a young letter writer as they receive a series of animal deliveries from the zoo, each one more endearing than the last.

From lions to monkeys, each arrival brings new surprises until the perfect pet is finally found. It is a timeless tale that will captivate young minds and warm the hearts of parents and children alike.

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9. First 100 Words by Roger Priddy

First 100 Words belong in every toddler’s library of board books. Although there is also a book with a farm theme that toddlers like, this is the traditional edition that is great to start with.

The top 100 first words for toddlers are illustrated in this book. As your toddler gets older, you can ask him to point to the photos when you speak his name rather than reading the words and pointing to the pictures at first. It’s a terrific approach to increasing your one-year-old’s vocabulary and speaking abilities.

10. Where is Baby’s Belly Button? by Karen Katz

Where is Baby’s Belly Button? is a cute board book with flaps that begins with asking where your child’s eyes are before moving on to other body parts. Under the flap is where you’ll find them all. Use this book to help your one-year-old learn about all the various body parts. Toddlers can easily raise the flaps, and won’t readily tear because they are thick.

11. Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton

Moo Baa La La La is just a silly little board book to have fun with as you and your child flip the pages. You can mimic the funny sounds that the animals make, and your child can join in. It’s a good idea for your child to practice using their mouth muscles to form these sounds, as it will help them speak even more words later on.

12. Playtown: A Lift-The-Flap Book by Roger Priddy

Roger Priddy hit another homer with Playtown: A Lift-The-Flap Book. The intricately detailed hand-drawn interior depicts busy scenes and cross-sections of many parts of the town, including the airport, the hospital, and the stores. On every page, there are several things to hunt for and discover. There are over 35 hidden flaps that hide entertaining scenarios. Want to read more children’s books? Discover our list of best books for two year olds.

13. Do Cows Meow? by Salina Yoon

If they could, would cows sing? Do cows cuckoo? Children will have a great time mimicking the many types of animals “speak” in Do Cows Meow? a large board book drawn in vivid colors and features simple, rhythmic text. Each animal, such as a sheep, duck, frog, or cat, has its own “mouth” flap that can be lifted up to expose a new animal’s sound. These sounds, like baaing, ribbiting, and meowing, are guaranteed to inspire a symphony of animal noises.

14. Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr.

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? is a timeless favorite among parents of young children. This interactive adaptation of the story features buttons your child can push to hear other animals’ noises. Your youngster will enjoy this book immensely since there is a button to press whenever an animal is on the page.

15. Hear Bear Roar by Eric Carle

Does your child have a soft spot for animals? Your child will enjoy Eric Carle’s wonderful and colorful book, Hear Bear Roar, with thirty different animals and buttons to interact with. Every page is brightly colored and engaging, making it fun for toddlers to look at. It is an absolute must for children who are a year old!

16. Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt

Pat the Bunny has become a favorite with kids and parents alike. The simple, calming drawings keep the pages turning, but the soft, lovely “fur” makes this book a childhood classic. This book has delighted kids for generations and won a special place on every child’s bookshelf.

17. Llama, Llama, I Love You by Anna Dewdney

The Llama Llama board books are a great way to introduce the beloved Llama Llama character to infants and young children before they are old enough to follow lengthier, more involved narratives. In addition, their manageable size and sturdy pages make them ideal for children’s hands.

The story of Llama, Llama, I Love You follows a little llama as he expresses his affection for his friends and family by giving them hugs and sending them heart-shaped cards. Nothing could be more adorable on Valentine’s Day than a Llama Llama!

18. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Guess How Much I Love You is a touching and heartwarming children’s book about love and affection between a parent and child. With endearing language and charming illustrations, this classic story follows two adorable hares, Big Nutbrown Hare, and Little Nutbrown Hare, as they try to express their love for each other. With each tender declaration, they discover that love is immeasurable and limitless, making this book a perfect bedtime story for families to share and enjoy.

19. Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill

Where’s Spot? is a charming and playful lift-the-flap book for young children that has become a classic. This delightful story follows Spot, a mischievous puppy, as he hides from his owner. As your child lifts the flaps, they join in the search for Spot, discovering a world of surprises along the way. With its engaging storyline and interactive elements, this book is perfect for young children to explore, play, and learn.

20. My Fuzzy Valentine by Sesame Street

In My Fuzzy Valentine, Elmo is curious about which of his buddies from Sesame Street brought him a lovely Valentine’s Day card. He wanted to know who it was. Children ages one to four will enjoy reaching out and stroking the fuzzy valentine on each layout. As children flip through the strong board pages, they may spend hours playing with Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, Baby Bear, Bert, and Ernie.

21. Corduroy by Don Freeman

Corduroy is a classic children’s book that follows the adventures of a lovable teddy bear named Corduroy. He searches for a missing button and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. From the bustling department store to the cozy home of a little girl, this book is a heartwarming tale of friendship, perseverance, and the power of believing in oneself.

22. Llama, Llama, Red Pajama by Ann Dewdney

Llama Llama Red Pajama is considered to be a classic for young readers. The narrative is told in rhyme and centers on the shenanigans that a young llama gets into right before night. Rhyming not only makes young children giggle wildly, but it also assists them in developing early reading abilities. Your young child will be able to empathize with some of the emotions that Baby Llama is experiencing. At the same time, you will value the kindness and reassurance that comes from Mama Llama’s presence.

23. Under the Sea by Little Hippo Books

While attempting to figure out who the animals are, little ones will pick their favorite fish, reptiles, mammals, and other creatures that reside in the ocean and learn interesting information about those species. Who has a tough exterior and feet that look like webs? Who or what has the appearance of a bell and is covered in tentacles? Youngsters will remain engaged as they look at the colorful visuals in Under the Sea and listen to the rhyming narrative as you read.

24. Little Blue Truck Leads the Way by Alice Schertle

In Little Blue Truck Leads the Way, a truck named Blue has to navigate busy city streets. Soon, the traffic is snarled, and Blue comes to the rescue. This board book has stimulating colors and busy pictures to get your child’s attention.

25. Grandma Loves You! by Danielle McLean

This Grandma Loves You! board book is wonderful for a grandmother and child to share. The story is about a grandma and baby bear spending the day together, playing games, enjoying nature, and picking flowers as they explore together.

26. Crocodiles Need Kisses Too by Rebecca Colby

Crocodiles Need Kisses Too is filled with text that rhymes and is fun to read aloud about prickly porcupines, roaring tigers, and slithery snakes. Although not the most cuddly creatures, these animals deserve hugs and snuggles from their mothers! Crocodiles Need Kisses Too demonstrates, using a sumptuous and vibrant color palette, that animals (and children!) need not be cute and cuddly to be completely loving and loved.

27. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

In We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, you and your child will join a father and his four young children as they traverse a field of tall, wavy grass, wade through a deep, cold river, struggle through swampy mud, find their way through a large, dark forest, fight through a whirling snowstorm, and finally enter a narrow, dark cave.

28. ABCs of Love by Patricia Hegarty

This board book has cute and cuddly critters who help your child grasp their ABCs. The book runs through the alphabet, associating each letter with love. ABCs of Love is perfect for bedtime when your child can quietly memorize the ABCs in a fun way and be more prepared for school.

29. Baby Touch and Feel I Love You by DK

In Baby Touch and Feel I Love You, your child can interact with the soft textures in the book, which will stimulate their senses and help their little brains develop. The book is filled with irresistible cuteness and cuddly bunnies, even for parents reading it to their children!

30. I Love You Slow Much! by Rose Rossner

In I Love You Slow Much!, an adorable sloth and her baby slowly enter their tree home. The mommy sloth teaches her baby how to move along, encouraging the baby with every slow movement. You and your child will love the colorful illustrations and heartwarming message.

31. Potty Time With Elmo by Sesame Street

In Potty Time, It’s time to use the potty, and Baby David, Elmo’s doll, is following suit. Press the seven interactive buttons to bring the story to life with Elmo’s inspiring comments, entertaining flushing and washing noises, and more! Learning to use the potty has never been more enjoyable, thanks to the familiar character of Elmo!

32. Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer

This Love Makes a Family board book is filled with diverse characters, emphasizing that it’s not who is in the family but the love between them that matters most. This positive-minded book show family in action, riding bikes, baking cakes, waking up, and playing.

33. On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman

The illustrations alone in On the Night You Were Born are reason enough to enjoy this book with your child. The book rejoices with the birth of the baby bear, as the mama bear tells about the night that all of her happy dreams came true with the arrival of the baby bear.

34. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

In Goodnight, Gorilla, all the animals at the zoo are supposed to go to bed for the night. But are they really going to go to sleep? A tricky gorilla has other plans as he sneaks behind the zookeeper’s back, causing trouble with the key he takes from the zookeeper’s pocket.

35. The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss

In The Foot Book, your child will explore all the fun things they can do with their feet, exploring the world along with the silly Dr. Seuss character and listening to the rhythmic verses as you read aloud. You might be interested in exploring children’s books, such as these best Dr. Seuss books.

36. Noisy Baby Animals by Patricia Hegarty

Noisy Baby Animals is an interactive board book that your child will love. It has enticing photos, tactile textures, and cute baby animal noises. Your child can experience the baby animals on every page. Five lifelike baby animal sounds can be heard by pressing the touch-and-feels, and a button on the last page will play them all again. Looking for more? Check out our round-up of the best parenting books!