We love children's book  illustrations and illustrators, but sometimes babies want the real thing.  Here are some board books to bring on those smiles and grabs.

Pets

A touch-and-feel book with photographs of cute animals; think bunny fur and baby pig ears. 

 

 

 

My First Book of Animals by Emma Hill

Bright primary colors with accordion pages introducing babies to farm animals and pets and numbers 1 to 12.

 

 

Rah, Rah, Radishes by April Pulley Sayre

Teach your baby to identify and love their vegetables with rhyming text.

 

 

 

Creature Colors by Andrew Zuckerman

Colors and numbers and animals! All set against crisp white backgrounds.

 

 

 

Things That Go

A green scooter and a blue cement mixer provide an opportunity to discuss color as well as ways to get around.

 

 

Global Babies

Babies like to look at faces, particularly the faces of other babies. Here are some adorable faces from around the world. 

 

 

A Friend Like You by Tanja Askani

Unlikely animal pairs—a pig and a puppy, a deer and a rabbit—and a story about the importance of friendship. 

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to​ be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ​picks! Tell us what you'd recommend: Leave a comment or email us.

For more recommendations, see our monthly staff picks at nypl.org/staffpicks.