Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages
  3. Activities
  4. Inspiration
  5. Shop
  6. Evergreens

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 10 best books to add to your nursery shelf

When you have a baby on the way and you are planning out their nursery, you have their crib and their rattles and baby toys. But one spot not to neglect is their bookshelf. Reading to your baby has proven benefits and will help them in the long run. With so many options out there on the market, how do you find the best books for your baby? We have compiled a list of some of the best baby books to add to your baby’s bookshelf for when your little one makes their grand debut!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

This is one of the most beloved books to read to babies. Its repetitive words help reinforce baby’s speech. This fun book has lift-the-flap portions of the book, so when the baby gets a little bit older, they can have even more fun with the book. It’s no wonder that it’s been a popular book for babies and young ones for over 50 years! It focuses on colors and animals, so it is a great first book to put on their nursery shelf!

Recommended Videos

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

“When A told B, and B told C, to meet them at the top of the coconut tree,” a lot of fun happened! This book leans much on rhyme and will have your little one clapping along to its catchy sayings! The bright colors will catch their eye and keep their attention as you read throughout the book.

Jane Foster’s Black and White

Black-and-white images help to give a boost to your little one’s eye development. That is what makes this book such a good idea to keep in their nursery! Weaving in lovely illustrations in black-and-white images, this book will keep your baby enthralled and excited as you read to them.

Moo, Baa, La La La!

Sandra Boynton is known for her quirky illustrations and funny books, making this a natural that baby should have this book! It is a funny and silly book that you can read with baby, and it is sure to elicit a smile or a giggle when you make the funny animal sounds that accompany the illustrations in this book!

Where is Baby’s Belly Button?

Little ones will have a blast on this lift-the-flap adventure! This interactive book allows your baby to learn where certain parts of their body are, all while written in rhyme. It is definitely a classic to keep on the shelf.

The Pout-Pout Fish

Poor little pout-pout fish seems pretty gloomy and glum, and despite his friend’s best efforts, he is still pretty pouty. That is until one special friend turns his frown upside down! Your baby will love the colors and fun illustrations throughout the book, and the best thing about it is it’s a book that can grow with them. For example, when they are ready to learn to read, this is a great book for them to start with!

Look at You!

Did you know that it is a proven fact that by 5 months of age, babies can recognize other baby’s faces? This book is full of baby’s faces that your little one will love to look at! It even features a mirror on the last page so that baby will be able to look at their own reflection at the very end of the book!

First 100 Words

This book is great to start reading to your baby early on! With 100 words, accompanied by bright and stimulating pictures, this book will help to develop your child’s vocabulary in a fun and imaginative way!

TouchThinkLearn: ABC

With its beautiful clean lines and modern look, this is not your average learn-your-ABCs-book. There are die-cuts and fun things to touch and feel for baby to learn all about the alphabet.

Goodnight Moon

An absolute beloved classic, this book features simple sayings and is illustrated so beautifully. It is the perfect book to read to your baby when they are all fed, bathed, and ready for their bedtime.

All of these books would make a great addition to your baby’s burgeoning library. Some are classics and some are new, but all of them are the best of the best.

Is your newborn eating too much? What to know about overfeeding
Cues to watch out for to let you know if you're overfeeding a newborn
Mother holding baby in nursery

Every parent knows the excitement and anxiety that comes when it's time to bring their baby home from the hospital for the first time. Besides the sleep schedule, many new parents may be worried about whether their infant is getting enough to eat. But is going the other direction something parents should also worry about? Is there such a thing as overfeeding a newborn? The short answer is yes. Overfeeding a newborn is a possibility, but it doesn't happen often.

Every newborn has differences in appetite where one might drink a bottle or breastfeed longer than another. Before you stress, don't worry. There are signs to be on the lookout for when it comes to giving your little one too much food. Whether it's your first or third child, if you are concerned about overfeeding your newborn, we have the information you need to know.
Why overfeeding a newborn is something you don't want to do

Read more
Recognizing early autism signs in toddlers: 6 things to know
Which toddler behaviors are quirky and which are red flags for autism?
Toddler boys playing a party game

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that about 1 in every 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder. If your child is on the spectrum, the initial diagnosis can be upsetting, but early intervention following a diagnosis is vital. The early signs of autism in toddlers, though, can be easy to overlook. If you have a child you think might be on the spectrum, it's best to know the early signs as your toddler develops.

There is a long list of possible signs as the autism spectrum is wide and diverse. One sign may appear in one child, but not in another. Certain early signs of autism are more common than others, which is why knowing the red flags is important. The earlier a child receives a diagnosis, the better the support system will be for them.
Understanding autism

Read more
Can you use a heating pad while pregnant? Here’s what you should know
Heat pads and pregnancy work together, just follow some precautions
Pregnant woman using heating pad hot water bottle

Pregnancy is an exciting time filled with awe and wonder, but it's also painful and uncomfortable. Experiencing all. the changes your body goes through as your baby grows is magical, but it's also kind of a pain. As pregnancy progresses throughout the trimesters, so, too, does the discomfort. From backaches to sore feet and sciatica to insomnia, pregnancy can be very hard on a person's body.
Often, a heating pad can provide some much-needed relief from those pregnancy-induced aches and pains, but many wonder if it's safe to use a heating pads while pregnant. Using heating pads during pregnancy can be an understandable concern.
Despite the relief they may give, many pregnant people are hesitant to use them out of fear the heat they produce may harm their baby. Fortunately, using a heating pad while pregnant can be very safe as long as you do so carefully and take proper precautions.

Why would you need a heating pad?

Read more