If you are a parent of a 1-year-old, you know how busy you and your baby can be. Every day they will explore and learn new things. And you have to be always at their beck and call. Research has suggested that babies are attracted to light and sound. When they see bright lights or listen to music or melodious voice, they feel the warmth inside. It is also noticed that babies’ best reading books help their faster cognitive development. Here is a list of some of the best books for 1 year old which you can read to your babies:
As a parent, you are responsible for determining the meaning of those meaningless words and sounds. One-year-old babies often show affection for their parents and caregivers. But they may be nervous and uneasy around strangers. Sometimes, they might start crying if any stranger gets close to them.
You have to look after them all the time as they start to take their first steps around this age. They sometimes begin to stand upright on their tiny feet and climb stairs. Then, they start communicating with you with the help of a few unrecognizable words and gestures.
What language and cognitive milestones does a 1-year-old have?
Language milestones
- Pays more attention to what others say.
- Can respond to simple verbal requests.
- Responds to “yes” or “no” by shaking heads
- Babbles all the time.
- Have the ability to say “dada” and “mama.”
- Imitates words.
Cognitive milestone
- Explore objects through shaking, banging, throwing, and dropping.
- Grows the ability to find hidden objects.
- Look at the correct object or person when they are named.
- Tries to imitate gestures or other activities.
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| 1 |
| Melissa & Doug Children's Book - Poke-a-Dot: Old... |
$13.62
$9.88 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 2 |
| Melissa & Doug K’s Kids My First Activity Book 8-Page Soft... |
$15.00 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 3 |
| LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book (Frustration Free... |
$19.99
$12.97 | Buy on Amazon |
10. Best Books for 1 Year Old
1. Good Night Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
Margaret Wise Brown was an American children’s book author. She is a famous writer and has been called “the laureate of the nursery” for her accomplishments. Clement G. Hurd was an American artist famous for illustrating children’s picture books. His notable work is the “Runaway Bunny” series.
Goodnight Moon is one of the best books for a 1-year-old. It is a highly acclaimed bedtime storybook. The story’s main character in this book is a bunny who wishes good night to everyone and everything around. He wishes goodnight to the room, the light, the cow jumping over the moon, and the balloon. He says goodbye to the picture of three little bears sitting on chairs, the clock and his socks, and the kittens and the mittens. With its rhythmic words and lulling illustrations, this children’s classic is a perfect read-out book for your baby.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodnight Moon |
$10.99
$8.49 | Buy on Amazon |
2. Hop on Pop, Dr. Seuss
Theodor Seuss “Ted” Geisel was an American children’s author, political cartoonist, illustrator, screenwriter, and filmmaker. More than 60 books have been published under his pen name Dr. Seuss.
Hop on Pop is full of simple, short words and silly rhymes. This book is a perfect read-aloud book for daddies to their babies. Your baby will be entertained throughout the book by its rhythmic terms. In addition, they will get introduced to different characters with the help of several short poems. This book is also a favorite for elementary school teachers and children’s librarians. It helps the fathers interact closely with their babies and give them an idea of the basic phonics concepts.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hop on Pop: The Simplest Seuss for Youngest Use |
$9.99
$8.99 | Buy on Amazon |
3. First 100 Board Book Box Set, by Roger Priddy
Roger Priddy is an English author of children’s books. He has funded the Priddy books that publish books for babies and young children.
The First 100 Board Book Box Set contains three of the best books for a 1-year-old by Priddy. It includes “First 100 Words”, “First 100 Animals”, and “Number Colors Shapes.” These books are tiny and an ideal fit for little hands. They are also helpful in building vocabulary and developing speech. Parents can introduce their babies to the key concept of words with the help of these board books. Each book consists of 100 photographs and 100 simple words. The colorful photographs attract babies; parents can help their children utter those simple words. All the books’ pages are made from hardboard, protecting themselves from the babies’ rough use. This is the best baby book for new parents.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 100 Board Book Box Set (3 books): First 100 Words,... |
$17.97
$10.27 | Buy on Amazon |
4. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, The Best-Selling Book by Mem Fox
Merrion Frances Mem Fox is an American children’s books writer and an education specialist. She was a renewed Associate Professor of Literacy Studies in the School of Education at Finders University.
The cutest and sweetest things among everything are baby toes and fingers. They are tiny but chubby. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes is one of the best books for a 1-year-old. This book celebrates the joy babies; their tiny toes and fingers bring everyone worldwide. The rhyming texts will attract babies and young children. They will want to go through the book over and over again. The luminous watercolor illustrations bring life to the adorable, quirky, squishable dimples, pudges, arms, legs, and tummies.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes Padded Board Book |
$11.99
$7.96 | Buy on Amazon |
5. Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney
Sam McBratney is an Irish writer of children’s books living in Northern Ireland. He has authored over fifty books for children and young adults.
Published in 1994, Guess How Much I Love You centers around two Nutbrown Hares – Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare. Although the two hares are never mentioned as father and son in the original storybooks, they seem likely. The book’s title is a question the Little Nutbrown Hare asked the Big Nutbrown Hare. The story continues with these two using more extensive measurements to express their love for each other. This book is also a great model for showing love and cares for each other. In 2010, the book was adapted as an animated TV series airing on Canada’s TVO Kids and Disney Junior.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guess How Much I Love You |
$8.99
$5.37 | Buy on Amazon |
6. Dear Zoo, by Rod Campbell
Rod Campbell is a Scottish writer and illustrator of several children’s books. He founded Campbell Blackie Books, along with his publisher Blackie, in 1987.
Dear Zoo is one of the best books of 1 year old and was first published in 1982. Campbell got inspired by other lift-the-flap books like “Spot the Dog.” He then remembered explorers sending animals to zoos in crates. So he came up with the idea that each flap works as a container holding different animals. These animals include a monkey, a lion, an elephant, a giraffe, and others. This book will attract any baby or toddler with its lyrical text and charming illustrations. The book has been translated into several languages, including Arabic, Bengali, Persian, Hindi, Urdu, and Portuguese.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book |
$7.99
$6.03 | Buy on Amazon |
7. Waiting, by Kevin Henkes
Kevin Henkes is an American author and illustrator of several children’s books. He won the Caldecott Medal for “Kitten’s First Full Moon” (2004) as an illustrator.
Henkes’ Waiting centers around five toy friends – an owl, a puppy, a bear, a rabbit, and a pig. They are all arranged on a child’s windowsill. They are waiting for amazing things to happen in this colorful picture book. The owl awaits the moon, the pig for the rain, and the bear waits for the wind. The puppy eagerly waits for the snow to appear, and the rabbit just looks out the window as if he likes to stay. But no one knows if their patience will wind at the end or go in vain. This excellent book explains a big part of childhood – waiting to grow up. Parents wait for their children to grow up, and this book will teach them to have patience.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waiting: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner |
$19.99
$10.56 | Buy on Amazon |
8. Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak
Maurice Sendak was an American illustrator and writer of children’s books. He is mainly known for his book “Where the Wild Things Are.”
Where the Wild Things Are is one of the best books for a 1-year-old. The protagonist of this 338 words story is a young boy named Max. One day he puts on his wolf costume and causes havoc throughout his household. Thus, he is sent to bed without having supper. Suddenly, Max’s bedroom turns into a mysterious jungle environment. He then sails to an island inhabited by ferocious beasts called the “Wild Things.” After intimidating the creatures, he becomes the king of the Wild Things and enjoys being with his subjects. Finally, however, he realizes that he is missing home and decides to return. When he returns home, he finds a hot supper waiting for him.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where the Wild Things Are |
$8.95
$5.00 | Buy on Amazon |
9. Splish, Splash, Baby!, by Karen Katz
Karen Katz is an American author and children’s book illustrator. She used to have versatile careers before starting as a writer, like a costume designer, quilt maker, fabric artist, and graphic designer.
Splish, Splash, Baby! It is a fun interactive book. The central theme of the book centers on a baby’s bathing time. The rhythmic texts and beautiful illustrations will catch the eyes of every baby. For example, the book starts by asking the question, “What’s behind the bath bottles?” and the answer comes, “Three yellow ducks” Quack-quack!” Babies can play with this long-lasting, easy-to-lift flap-paged book that reveals everything in a baby’s bathtub. If your baby is reluctant to bathe, this picture book will undoubtedly make your baby jump into the tub.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Splish, Splash, Baby! (Karen Katz Lift-the-Flap Books) |
$7.89 | Buy on Amazon |
10. Boynton’s Greatest Hits The Big Blue Box: Moo Baa La La La
Sandra Boynton is an American humorist, songwriter, director, music producer, children’s book author, and illustrator. She also used to design calendars, wallpaper, stationery, clothing, jewelry, and plush toys.
Moo Baa La La La is one of the best books for a 1-year-old. The book centers on the sounds animals make, which includes three pigs singing “la la la.” It features non-traditional texts and the author’s famous animal characters. Printed on thick and hardboard pages, this book is a perfect read-aloud book for babies and toddlers. They get the idea of how animals sound and learn about their characteristics. It was first published in 1982 by the Simon & Schuster book publishing company.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boynton's Greatest Hits The Big Blue Box (Boxed Set): Moo,... |
$27.99
$16.28 | Buy on Amazon |
Many people might think about reading to a baby; they won’t understand anything from the book. But reading aloud to babies helps the parents interact with them more easily. Sometimes books can be helpful for parents to understand the baby’s gestures. This way, the parents will know what the baby wants to say or do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What kind of physical milestone does a 1-year-old baby have?
Some of the physical milestones of a 1-year-old baby are –
- Can sit without the help of others
- Crawls forward on belly using the push-pull mechanism of arms and legs
- Can get to crawling or lying, positing from sitting
- Pulls self up to stand upright
- Tries to walk holding furniture
- Can standstill without any support from sometimes
- It takes two to three steps without any assistance.
Q. What words should a 1-year-old say?
It is seen that most children say their first word between the age of 10 to 14 months. When a baby is 1 year old, they should say two to three words. The words will be simple and incomplete. But you will get to know what they mean. They may say “mama” and “dada” in broken words and try to name their sibling, pet, or toy.
Q. Does reading to babies make them smarter?
It is never too early to start reading to your babies. Many parents read to their babies when they are in the womb. New studies have suggested that reading books can enhance infants’ vocabulary and reading skills. This makes it easier for them to start elementary school. Besides, reading to your babies also strengthens your bond with them. Parents can also read various evolutionary psychology books for proper cognitive development.
Q. How to teach a one-year-old the alphabet?
If you want your 1-year-old to learn the alphabet, you must read and keep reading. You can read nursery rhymes or picture books. Teach them their name and the letters in them. Or you can teach them the alphabet letter by letter. But whatever your way of teaching is, keep it fun. This will enable you to hold your baby’s attention throughout the activity.
You may also like:
- Best Books to Start Reading Habit
- Age-appropriate Children’s Books for 2 Years Olds
- Best Books to Read for 4-Year-Olds
- Books for 7-Year-Olds to Practice Reading by Themselves
- Best Kids Books Which Are Most Popular of All Time
Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API