Our Top 15 Picture Books for Baby Shower Gifts
Anyone who knows me, knows I love books. Not only do I love reading and good literature, but I also tend to buy people books! In fact, I was an ELA and Math teacher. Isn’t that an unusual combination? So my sister planned a picture book-themed baby shower. It was perfect! In addition to typical gifts, everyone was asked to gift a book. It was a fabulous idea, and it helped me start a home library for my son. There’s no better way to promote early literacy than reading to your child even at a young age! And he definitely had his favorites even as a baby. I also had my favorites to read as well! 😉
Subscribe if you want more picture book lists or educational ideas sent straight to your inbox!
Picture Book Themed Baby Shower
If you are looking for an idea for a baby shower theme, why not do a picture book themed baby shower like my sister did. Here are some photos of the event. This is a Covid shower, so it’s outside with a lot of fresh air!
Book Recommendations
We are library people, so after literally reading thousands of books these past few years, here is what I’d recommend purchasing for a baby shower gift—especially for a boy. You can personalize the baby shower gifts by placing name plate stickers in each book! My son loves to read the little messages for him from his shower. The best part of picture book gifts is they are not only personalized but they are practical as well!
Little Excavator by Anna Dewdney
Little Excavator by Anna Dewdney was my son’s favorite book of all time when he was a baby and young toddler. From the very beginning he was a truck-loving and wheel-loving kid, and I think Little Excavator is what set off his obsession. Little Excavator aka “Little E” tries his best to help like the “big trucks” but keeps having trouble. Until there is finally a job that only he can do. You may have heard Anna Dewdney’s Lllama, Llama books, and like her other books the rhyme, meter, and rhythm is impeccable. That’s what makes this book so much fun to read!
Cars, Trucks, and Things That Go by Richard Scarry
It seems that all boys (and men) love Richard’s Scarry’s Cars, Trucks, and Things That Go. My child and husband love this zany book with all the crazy cars and trucks. Follow the pig family on their road trip, and don’t forget to look for Goldbug on each page! This is a classic baby shower choice for any boy. It will also grow with the child as they return to it again and again over the years.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Junior and Eric Carle
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by by Bill Martin Junior and Eric Carle is a very simple book, but kids love it. The pictures are large with bold colors, and the text is so rhythmic and repetitive. And we all know that kids love repetition. Plus, the book becomes more interactive as a child ages as you can ask more predictive type questions. This was one of my son’s top three books when he was a baby.
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
If you are attending a baby shower for a boy, I recommend Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker. My son, like many boys, loved trucks since he was a baby. We literally own over eight of Rinker’s books, and he loves every one of them. This is a book we read over and over again. Plus, the illustrations are exquisite, and I don’t even like trucks. I’m not sure how anyone makes trucks so pretty. Although, the series is huge and keeps growing, the original Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site is my favorite of the series.
I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak
My young nephew picked out I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak for my child, and it was a hit. It is a sweet board book, and one of my son’s top three books when he was super young. Follow a young child and his bear throughout the day as the reader tells him how much they love the child. “I love you through and through…yesterday, today, and tomorrow too.” I Love You Through and Through is perfect gift if you want a sweet board book.
Ladder and Friends Learn to Pray by Anna Cannelongo
We read Ladder and Friends Learn to Pray by Anna Cannelongo every night with my son as part of our bedtime routine. Community helpers each teach their vehicle (Ladder, Amby, Semi, and Jet) how to pray. Each prayer is based on positive character traits such as bravery and sacrifice, helping others etc. Additionally, there are call-out boxes to help parents have spiritual conversations with their child. This is the perfect Christian book for parents of truck-loving toddlers or preschoolers who want to integrate a prayer into their nighttime routine.
Goodnight Little Blue Truck, by Alice Schertle
Goodnight Little Blue Truck, by Alice Schertle was our go-to bedtime book when my son was a baby. We intentionally repeated the same book each night so that he would recognize when the bedtime routine would begin. And he did! It was fun when his eyes started to light-up in recognition of the book. I love this book because not only are the rhyme and rhythm enjoyable to read, but it talks about how although storms can be scary, we can be safe inside with our friends.
Pout, Pout Fish by Debra Diesen (add citation)
I love Pout, Pout Fish by Debra Diesen! This probably was not one of my child’s favorites (although he did like it). But it was my favorite book to read to him and that counts for something too. The rhyme and meter were exquisite, and I loved the word choice and the advanced vocabulary. But the best part is that I could give my son kisses! Pout, Pout Fish is a fun book for kids (or parents) who want a little more substance and fun in their reading.
Goodnight Numbers by Danica McKellar
Goodnight Numbers by Danica McKellar is a fun bedtime book that grows with kids. It’s a great way to encourage math and counting. This rhyming book follows kids during their evening routine and there is a lot to count along the way. My son loves counting all the different objects on each page. Goodnight Numbers is the perfect gift if you want to encourage math and STEM.
Baby Believer Book Series by Danielle Hitchen
I was surprised by how much my young child gravitated towards these Baby Believer Book Series by Danielle Hitchen. The authors take deep, theological concepts and transform it into a concept book with bold pictures. If you are looking for a gift that promotes the Christian faith, than any Baby Believer book (or the whole series) would be a perfect baby shower gift.
Never Touch Series by Rosie Greening
The Never Touch Series by Rosie Greening is a toddler favorite. My friend got my son this series for his first birthday and he loved them! Small children love touching all the silly characters and the rhyming pages. My son read these books so often that he literally destroyed some of them from overuse. We especially liked to give him these books when he was sitting in the highchair or in the car seat. If you are looking for an interactive book series as a shower gift, the Never Touch Series is the one to get!
Llama, Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
Llama, Llama, Red Pajama is Anna Dewdney’s classic book. It’s so much fun to read with its rhyme, meter, and assonance. Even though your cute, little baby may not cause so much “llama drama” now, just wait until they are a wee bit older! The best thing about some of Dewdney’s books is that they capture the child and parent experience simultaneously, and it’s a great launching bad for discussion about being alone for bedtime and not causing so much “llama drama” because mama is near even if she’s not right here.
Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest
If your looking for a mama/child book, I recommend reading Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest. I loved reading it with my son because it encouraged lots of goodnight kisses. Mama Bear goes through her typical bedtime routine with Little Bear, but she forgets one important step. What did she forget? A kiss of course or maybe two!
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
How can I leave out If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff? This was the theme book used in my baby shower, and it’s always a big hit with my son! In fact, we just read it as tonight’s bedtime book! After all who doesn’t love cookies! Plus, it’s a great book to teach cause and effect. We also have Best Mouse Cookie which is excellent as well!
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
What would a list of baby shower books be without Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. We received two copies for our shower! Originally, my husband and I didn’t see the appeal, but then after having a kid we realized how Goodnight Moon with its simple words and high contrasting illustrations was a definite baby and toddler favorite.
Conclusion
Picture books make great baby shower gifts! We love all our picture books so much and we reread them over and over again! The ones we got from my baby shower have little notes in them from the various gifts, which make them even more special to read! Books are not only a practical baby shower gift as they promote early literacy which leads to academic achievement, but they have so much potential for personalization.
More Book Lists for Toddlers and Preschoolers!
- The Top 15 Truck Books for Toddlers;
- Our 18 Favorite Bedtime Books for Kids;
- Our 16 Favorite Picture Books about Giants;
- Our 11 Favorite Fire Truck Books for Young Firefighters;
- 11 Engaging Books about Black Holes; and
- Our 18 Top Train Books for Kids
Subscribe for more book lists and educational ideas. If you like these books, share the post with friend or use this post as an indirect hint to the grandparents for gift-giving ideas!
Follow Me
Follow me on social media! I’ve just started an Instagram account, but I’m really putting a lot of effort into creating Pinterest boards, so be sure to pin your favorites! Here’s a sample board on Our Favorite Bedtime Stories for Kids.
