Stand Out Board Books

Board books are sturdy books that are great for babies and toddlers. Their thicker pages make it easier for little hands to turn them and make them more durable. They've been around for a long time, and there are many old favorites out there! This list highlights some more recent board books from the past couple of years that knock it out of the park! Check out one of these to enjoy with the littlest readers in your life.

Molly Magnuson's trio of board books showcasing wonderful photos of real babies. Babies love looking at pictures of other babies and all three of the titles by Magnuson (Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions, Baby Loves: A First Book of Favorites, and Baby Up, Baby Down: A First Book of Opposites) are real gems!

Go, Grandma, Go and Go, Grandpa, Go by Lynn Plourde
The illustrations in these two books are bright and cheery, featuring all sorts of different grandparents playing with their grandkids.

Whose Is It series by Katrine Crow (Bellies, Wings, Scales, Butts, Coats, etc.- These are all about animals with good photos.)

Lin Grace's Storytelling Math Series includes 4 board books that introduce mathematical concepts in engaging stories with diverse characters. In Circle! Sphere! kids explore shapes while blowing bubbles, in The Last Marshmallow two children solve the problem of sharing marshmallows equally, Up to My Knees! encourages informal measurement as a young girl watches a sunflower grow and grow, and in What Will Fit? readers will play with spatial reasoning while looking for fruits and veggies that are just the right size to fit in a basket.

Who is Making a Mess? by Maria D'Haene

A big and boisterous  family is busy making messes while fixing cars, painting, and baking pies. Little ones will love the repeated refrain of "who is making a mess".

Baby's Day series includes Baby Dream, Baby Play, Baby Food, and Baby Talk by various authors

Another great series featuring photographs of diverse babies and families doing everyday things. The text is sweet and lyrical. 

Little Truck by Taro Gomi
One of a series with Little Plane and Little Boat. These vehicles are out to explore with their caring parents right behind.

Maisy's Construction Site by Lucy Cousins 

Maisy has been a popular character for years and this newer board book featuring Maisy and her friends has great interactive elements with things to push, pull, and slide. Plus, construction sites are always popular!

My Hair is Beautiful by Shauntay Grant

A celebration of natural hair and self love with great photographs showing different hairstyles and happy kids.

Pride Colors by Robin Stevenson

With rhyming text, each color is introduced while sharing a message of parent's unconditional love for their children.

Kiss By Kiss and May We Have Enough to Share by Richard Van Camp

Sweet books with lots of warm fuzzies for readers to enjoy. 

Tummy Time Friends by Pat Brisson

An ode to tummy time! Cheerful photographs of babies lifting their heads in tummy time will bring a smile to any reader's face.