Books for 18 month old babies: What to look for
We’ve poured through tons of children’s books and are happy to present the best books for 18 month old babies. If you’re concerned that your baby won’t sit still because they are always on the go, look for ways to leverage their high energy by asking them to hop like the rabbit in the book. See if your baby can label objects with simple sounds or words, for example, exclaiming “Moo!” when he sees a picture of a cow.
Though we’ve focused on our 18 month olds, the books that we have featured will carry your baby all the way through 24 months.
Our friends at Zero to Three shared a toddler tip: remember that humor and silly rhymes are popular with this age group. With that info in our back pocket, let’s get to reading the best books for 18 month old babies!
1. If You Ever Meet a Groovicorn
If your baby loves unicorns and sensory books, this one is sure to please! It has different textures on each page for your little one to touch. These textures are pretty well adhered to the page so you don’t have to worry about your baby pulling out the unicorn hair and putting it in their mouth.
If You Ever Meet a Groovicorn is also a rhyming book which is fun especially when your little one can guess the next word!
It’s easy to see why this one topped the list of books for 18 month old babies.
2. Fire Engine No. 9
Does your toddler love fire trucks and firefighters? If the answer is yes, they will enjoy this sturdy board book! It details everything that happens from the moment an emergency call come into the first station.
Use your voice to bring those action words to life! Then, tour your location fire station to complete the learning experience.
It’s a top pick for our roundup of books for 18 month old babies.
3. Dear Zoo
This is a lift-the-flap book which allows the youngest of readers to be introduced to zoo animals. Each flap lifts from different directions to reveal the animal hidden underneath. Some of the flaps are might be too tricky for your little one to open themselves, so you might need to give them a hand.
Don’t be shy: ask your child to identify the animal or the noise that animal makes. This is a great opportunity for you to brush up on your animal sounds. If you get stumped, google the sound or even better, plan a trip to the zoo or the animal sanctuary!
After reading this book it will be easy to see why this made the list for best books for 18 month old babies.
4. Roaring Rockets
Is your toddler obsessed with space, rocket ships and astronauts? Fuel their interests with this rhyming book!
This book features 3 animal astronauts who go up in space. Your baby will soon understand the type of clothing astronauts wear, the parts of a rocket, and the concept of gravity. Not too shabby for an afternoon read!
5. Where Is Baby’s Belly Button?
Lift-the-flap books for 18 month old babies are a great way to keep them interested. This is one of the more popular books for 18 month old babies written by Karen Katz and it features parts of the body your baby might be familiar with.
Ask your baby to point to where their eyes, feet, hands, and mouth are. This interaction helps build your toddler’s thinking and language skills.
The belly button is the most fun body part to identify because many babies are ticklish on their belly. If your baby can’t get enough of this (but you need variety), check out the author’s similar books for 18 month olds.
Many of Karen Katz’ books are also available in Spanish and 18 months old is the perfect age to introduce your baby to a second (or third) language.
6. I Love My Llamacorn (by Danielle McLean)
This very sturdy, brightly colored book is one of the best books for 18 month old babies. Why? Because it is filled with textures, hearts, rainbows and positive thoughts. What more could you want from a story book?
If you have a little one who adores unicorns and llamas, we bet this story will be the one they beg you to read over and over again.
7. B is for Breakdancing Bear
Attention parents, this is not your typical ABC book. It made our top 10 list of books for 18 month olds because of its creative take on learning the alphabet.
Our favorites are the DJ-ing dog, hula-hooping hippopotamus, skateboarding snail and a water-skiing walrus. Each of the animals on the page is slightly raised which gives a slight sensory experience for your baby.
This book is a also great way to start a conversation with your baby about different activities.
8. Dim Sum for Everyone (by Grace Lin)
This is one of our favorite books for 18 month old babies because it introduces your child to a slice of Chinese culture. How? By showing them what they would expect to see in a dim sum restaurant.
It features a family with 3 young children eating at a restaurant. They each pick out what they would like to eat. There are so many options to choose from!
The illustrations are beautiful and you never know- it may encourage your baby to try a new a food!
Not familiar with dim sum? Don’t worry, the last page of the book provides adults with insights into Chinese culture.
9. Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See (Slide and Find)
The slide and find version of this very popular book allows your baby to be an active participant. If they are willing, they can slide the bottom of each page and make an animal magically appear! Your toddler will love this unique feature, making it one of our favorite books for 18 month olds.
This book is larger than the classic and super sturdy. The colorful illustrations practically pop off the page.
10. Bright/Early Board Books (The Ear Book by Al Perkins)
Some of the best books for 18 months old babies were perfectly designed to fit in the palm of their hand. Whether it’s a book by Dr. Seuss (The Eye Book, The Foot Book), P.D. Eastman (Go, Dog Go!) or Al Perkins (The Ear Book, The Nose Book), you’ll find an adventure behind every page.
These sturdy board books will stand the test of time and the rhyming element will hold your baby’s attention.
Many of these books are available in Spanish, as well.
Favorite Books for Older Toddlers
Check out our favorites for 3-4 year olds; 2-3 year olds
Favorite Books for Younger Toddlers
Check out our favorites for toddlers 12-18 months old
Favorite Celebration Books for Toddlers
Here are our favorite toddler books for Valentine’s Day and Black History Month
Favorite Books for Babies
Here are our top picks for babies 6-12 months old; 0-6 months old
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