Big, beautiful, lavishly illustrated picture books are perfect for new parents. And it’s great to read those works of art to babies in the first few months of life, when just hearing words and sounds encourages brain development and the beginnings of literacy.

But, soon enough, new parents need something a bit more… sturdy.

Board books—those thick little books with the hard pages made of paperboard—can withstand teething, stacking, and the whims of toddlerhood.

So, we present a list of eleven of our favorite board books for the littlest readers. We left out anything with recognizable characters, because Big Bird, Maisy, Thomas, and all the rest will become household staples soon enough. And as much as we love Eric Carle and Dr. Seuss and Sandra Boynton, we didn’t include any of the most famous classics either (although we did sneak in one lesser-known title by the author of Goodnight Moon).

Check them out of the library, give them as gifts… just get them into the hands of a new parent before that first tooth pops through!

Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
An early introduction to the idea of doing what you love, regardless of whether other people (or animals) approve.

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
The consummate cartoonist’s work for kids is funny and fun. George the dog’s mother tries to teach him what sound to make, with a little help from the veterinarian.

The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson
The lulling rhythm of this gentle book, which hints at world of imagination that can be found in books, makes it perfect for bedtime.

What Can a Crane Pick Up? by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
A cow, a plane, another crane… the list goes on. Effortless rhymes, great drawings, and a touch of humor.

Little Blue Truck Leads the Way by Alice Shertle
The lesser-known sequel to the original, which is a modern classic. Better move, Little Beeper!

Dinosaur Roar! by Paul and Henrietta Strickland
Lots of different goofy, colorful dinosaurs to entertain kids and parents alike.

Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills
The title gives away the plot, but the plot isn’t the point of this lovely fall book anyway. Duck and Goose go on a fall-themed adventure, with an assist from their pal Thistle.

Do Cows Meow? by Salina Yoon
Do cows sing? Do cows coo? All I know is cows go… cliffhanger! Lift the flap for the answer.

Early Bird by Toni Yuly
It’s not surprising that the early bird gets the worm, but it is surprising what happens next. Bold lines, bright colors, and playful use of prepositions that would please an early-language development specialist.

Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden
Budding investigators will get a kick out of die-cut pages that offer a twist on games of peekaboo.

Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
A lesser-known-but-highly-deserving classic from the author of Goodnight Moon. It traces a day in the life of a farm when the children are away, with ever-so-slightly haunting text and gorgeous illustrations of the farm at dusk and at night.

And a bonus pick: All the Roger Priddy books, especially First Words = Primeras Palabras
Babies and toddlers go bananas for these simple books with brightly colored pages and photographs of animals, trucks, and more. The bilingual Spanish books are extra-great.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!