Choosing the right book for the children in your life can be a challenge. No need to fear…I’m here with my suggestions of the best books for one-year-olds. These are books that have stood the test of time, including classics that you may remember from your childhood as well as newer releases. These will capture your babies imagination and provide special moments for you to share together. From books that are designed to be drooled on, to those that provide a sensory experience, to those with lyrical text and repeating lines that your children will love, look not further for your next book buy.
Best Board Books for One-Year-Olds
Board books are a great option for one-year-olds who are exploring their world by putting everything in their mouths. Children this age are gaining more mobility and taking in information about the world around them through what they can see, hear, touch and taste. Board books are designed to survive being drooled on and chewed, at least a little. The pages are thick so they are harder to tear and won’t be instantly destroyed if they have an unfortunate encounter with liquid.
- Where is the Green Sheep by Mem Fox
- Roary the Lion by Rory H Mather
- Welcome Baby to the World by Jess Racklyeft
- Show Your Colours by Smriti Halls and Edward Underwood
- Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
- It’s a Little Baby by Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb
- Alison Lester’s ABC
- Usborne My First Words: Animals by Fiona Watt
- ABC of Australian Animals by Brownyn Bancroft
- Hello Baby Mirror Board Book by Roger Priddy
- All About Bluey by Penguin Young Readers
Best Books with Texture for One-Year-Olds
Books with texture, like the Touch and feel books by Usbourne Books and Alphaprint series published by MacMillan Publishers have high appeal for this age group. If they have bright visuals to go with this tactile experience you know you are onto a winner. The pages will be touched with love and curiousity, making the story a whole experience.
Examples of books with texture are:
- The Funniest Animals God Ever Made by Rosie Greening Illustrated by Stuart Lynch
- That’s Not My ____ Series by Usborne Books
- Australian Animals by Roger Priddy
- Never Touch a Hungry Hippo
- Fluffy Kitten by Rod Campbell
- Hairy Maclary and Friends: Touch and Feel Book by Lynley Dodd
- Never Touch a Crocodile by Rosie Greening
Best Picture Books for One-Year-Olds
Picture books are one of the most enduring formats for children of all ages. These have been chosen because of the language and simple story lines. They also feature babies, which one-year-olds are often interested in, because they are beginning to realise that’s what they used to be as they grow into toddlerdom. They also feature animals, birds and events that occur in their lives, like thunder storms.
- Hug by Jez Alborough
- Up and Down on a Rainy Day by Kat Apel
- When I was a Baby by Deborah Niland
- Bim Bam Boom by Margaret Wild and Wayne Harris
- Hop on Pop by Dr Suess
- Hello Baby by Mem Fox
- Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Bensen
- I’m a Dirty Dinosaur by Janeen Brian and Ann James
- Little Me, Big God series by Steph Williams
Make Your Own Photo Book
Children this age also love looking at photos, so why not make a photo album of people in their family. I did this for my children and they were their favourite books on our shelves. Don’t spend much on the album, and expect it may have a few torn pages before they are done, but choose photos of them as a baby and more as they have grown, as well as relatives that may live far away as well as friends, family pets and immediate family members.
