Best Books for One-Year-Olds

Books are a big deal in this household. Not only do I love to read, but my one-year-old daughter is also a huge fan of reading. She’ll bring me a book either first thing in the morning or immediately when she comes home from nursery. And we’ll have to read it several times over before she’s satisfied. Here, I’ll be sharing some of my favourite books for one-year-olds, including ones that I think are just fun to read, developmentally beneficial, and that I know Ivy enjoys, too.

Why Should I Read Books for One-Year-Olds?

Reading is so important for babies and children, and it’s a great thing to start at a very young age. For newborns, they’ll enjoy hearing your voice as you read to them and looking at the high contrasting colours. For infants and toddlers, reading is a fantastic learning tool to improve their fine motor skills, start picking up new words and begin to learn about the world around them. Reading together is also a fun activity that your child may find comfort from. There’s nothing better than having them sit in your lap, all snuggled up and listening to you read one of their favourite stories.

8 of my Favourite Books for One-Year-Olds

Below are 8 of my favourite books for one-year-olds that both me and my daughter really enjoy reading.

1. That’s Not My…

The That’s Not My touchy-feely books from Usborne are a staple in your one-year-old’s library. Featuring large, colourful images with tactile elements, these are perfect for babies of all ages. There are hundreds to choose from, including seasonal ones, such as ‘That’s Not My Pumpkin’ and ‘That’s Not My Elf’. Currently, Ivy is constantly bringing me ‘That’s Not My Duck’ and ‘That’s Not My Chick’ to read. She’s also at an age where she can flip through and feel the textured pages herself.

2. Don’t Tickle the…

We were given Don’t Tickle the Hippo for Ivy as a Christmas gift and loved it so much we have since bought Don’t Tickle the Unicorn. These bright and colourful books are a lot of fun and include a touchy-feely element plus sounds. Ivy has just started to figure out how to stroke/‘tickle’ the animal to make the sound, which keeps her nice and busy.

3. Where’s Mr and Mrs Lift-the-Flap Books

The Where’s Mr and Mrs lift-the-flap book collection has very cute illustrations and encourages toddlers to find the characters by lifting the fuzzy flap. On the last page, under the flap, is a mirror for babies and toddlers to find themselves with, which is a lot of fun for them, too. Again, like with the ‘That’s Not My’ books, there are hundreds to choose from.

4. Acorn Wood

The Acorn Wood series by Julia Donaldson is a collection of lift-the-flap books that follow the story of an animal character within the Acorn Wood world. With a fun, rhyming story and adorable illustrations you can’t go wrong. I think we have almost all of the books in the collection. Our favourites are Dormouse Has a Cold, Postman Bear, Squirrels Snowman and Frog’s Day Out.

5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a classic book that every child should read! We all know the story from when we were younger and it’s still just as popular. When we started reading this book to Ivy when she was around 5 or 6 months old, it guaranteed a smile and a little giggle. She’s also always mesmerised by the big butterfly picture on the last page.

6. Owl Babies

Owl Babies is another older book, originally published in 1992, that we really enjoy reading 30+ years later. I find it to be a cute and relaxing bedtime story for Ivy. The story follows three little owl babies who wake up to find their mother gone and wonder what she’s doing and if she’ll come home. It’s a gentle and reassuring tale that sends the message to children that mummy will always come back home to them.

7. Party Time for Baby Bears

Party Time for Baby Bears was another book that was gifted to Ivy, and she took an immediate liking to it. Behind each soft and fuzzy flap is a bear cub hiding while making preparations for a big surprise party. It’s because of this book Ivy has learned how to say a new word: ‘bear’. 

8. Usborne Lights and Sounds Books

Of the Usborne Lights and Sounds books, we have the Emergency Vehicles and Mermaids, which Ivy is fascinated by. I also really love these, too, and I’m already eyeing up the Unicorn book for her next one. Depending on the subject of the book, you or your child can press the button to hear either the sounds of emergency vehicles or music while also seeing the page light up and reading the story.

I hope you found some interesting books for one-year-olds in this post that you think your little one will enjoy too!

If you’re expecting a new baby, check out my baby essentials as a first-time mum post.

And don’t forget Mother’s Day is coming up soon! If you need some gift ideas, either for your mum or a new mum, take a look at my Mother’s Day Gift Guide.