It seems like at almost every shower, someone brings a copy of the tried and true classics: Goodnight, Moon, On the Day You Were Born, Jamberry, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and/or Pat the Bunny. You may want to consider something a little different to help build baby’s library. (No matter what you pick, I suggest bringing a Sharpie with you to the shower and inscribing only after the parents-to-be confirm that they don’t already have the book already, though!)
Here are some suggestions for other charming books to help welcome a new little one.
Two Hands to Love You. This hardcover has sweet and simple illustrations, and it’s my favorite loving welcome to a baby– it makes me cry in the good way. I love that it’s more than just the parents expressing their joy at the baby’s existence.
Silly Wonderful You. Here’s a giggly, cute read-aloud to prepare them for the unexpected! The baby is messy and goofy and utterly charming.
Wish. This is a particularly great one for couples who’ve been waiting for their family to feel complete. The elephant couple have been longing for a baby, and finally their wish comes true. It’s tender and gorgeous.
Trunk to Trunklet. This is quite new, and I adore it! The art is striking, and the text is so, so sweet and unusual. It features all different animals.
The BabyLit series. These board books are absolutely hilarious and fantastic! Each book is an extremely condensed version of a classic novel– just a word or two per page. But each centers on a concept that is perfect for babies, so it really works! My favorites include Treasure Island about shapes, Sherlock Holmes about sounds, and Sense and Sensibility about opposites. There are even more than are showing up on that series link… The Wonderful Wizard of Oz about colors is another great one! These are so hip and fun and clever, but they also remind parents that someday, after all the diapers, they’ll get back to reading grown-up books.
The Hello, World series. This series delights with its stylish illustrations and world-expanding attitude focused on baby-appropriate concepts. Why not encourage new parents to think about Paris (shapes), London (opposites), New York (colors), and San Francisco (numbers), even if it may be years before they get there again?
I also love the Global Babies series. Babies seem to love to look at other babies’ faces in books, and these have great photos of babies from all over the world! I love the diversity, the richness of the photos, and the adorable expressions. Babies and parents will, too, I think. I mean, how cute is this?!?
What are some of your favorite baby shower gifts? Please share in the comments!
Tegan Tigani is the children’s book buyer for Queen Anne Book Company. She’s a proud auntie and godmother, and loves to help people find just the right gift for readers (or listeners) of all ages.
A gift I loved when my first son was newborn was the complete works of Beatrix Potter. This was a reminder that our new family was not all about what you put into the baby’s hands but also the shared time you will have reading to the child in the future. It was a hardcover edition combining all those stories with beautiful color illustrations.
That’s a wonderful gift! What a treasure.
I’m a fan of Alison Jay’s board books, ABC and 123. Simple letter and number books that are perfect for new babies, illustrated beautifully with enough detail to support repeated reads, even for parents.
Jay’s books are so lovely! Good ones!
Our go-to shower and new baby book is e.e. cummings’ I Carry Your Heart With Me, illustrated by California artist Mati Rose McDounough. Her newer release is How Do I Love Thee? her interpretation of the Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem. (And with a DAD in the lead role.) Although we carry the book that features a gray-haired mom placing a ladder against her adult son’s window, we always introduce these newer choices to those asking for that one.
Love those recommendations — and that strategy. 🙂