Books are popular presents for expecting parents, but if you’re the gift-giver, the options can seem a little overwhelming.
What will mom and dad really appreciate? Which books will actually get read, rather than collecting dust on a shelf?
We asked a panel of seasoned moms which books they come back to, again and again, when they’re looking for great baby shower gifts. These books definitely made the cut!
Some of these are geared more for the parents, full of helpful tips, advice, or humor for when things get messy. While others are for the little ones. They’re treasured bedtime stories kids have cherished for generations.
Here’s our list of the top 25 children’s and parenting books to consider giving for baby shower gifts. These titles won’t sit around gathering dust, they’re all well-loved classics for a reason!
Books For Baby:
1. Love You Forever
Author: Robert Munsch
This is a really sweet book that helps kids understand that even when they drive their parents crazy, mom and dad can’t NOT love them. It’s unconditional love at it’s finest and a great story your kids will not tire of hearing.
2. On The Night You Were Born
Author: Nancy Tillman
Moms love reading this book to their little ones because it feels like the words come right from their heart. This book celebrates the special uniqueness of each and every child.
3. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Author: Eric Carle
Many of the moms on our panel grew up with this book and love telling that to their kids as the read it with them. This story is a family tradition! The very hungry caterpillar literally eats his way through everything, including the pages of this beloved book.
4. The Going To Bed Book
Author: Sandra Boynton
This book makes getting ready for bed fun. The classic bedtime story is just right for winding down at the end of the day. A joyful, silly group of animals scrub scrub scrub in the tub, brush their teeth, and finally rock and rock to sleep.
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5. I Love You, Stinky Face
Author: Lisa McCourt
Here’s another story centered around the concept of unconditional love. No matter how gross, scary, or awful kids get – their parents will always love them. It’s a message kids love to hear.
6. Someday
Author: Alison McGhee
Our mom crew agreed, it’s hard to read this story without getting a little choked up. It’s about the first memories you have with your baby, and the conflicting feelings you experience as they grow right before your eyes. It’s a beautiful, emotionally charged expression of a mother’s love and hopes for her child.
7. You Are My I Love You
Author: Maryann Cusimano
This book is so simple and relatable. It shows the impact that parents and children have on each other’s lives. The soft watercolor illustrations really bring the story to life.
8. Let Me Hold You Longer
Author: Karen Kingsbury
This story encourages parents to savor not only their children’s firsts, but their lasts as well…the last day of kindergarten, last day of Little League, etc.. A beautiful book to add to your list of baby shower gifts.
9. Welcome Little One
Author: Sandra Magsamen
For parents, the arrival of a newborn child is an event that offers the promise of unconditional love. Filled with lovely illustrations and heartfelt rhyming text, this story allows parents and children to celebrate and cherish their bond.
10. Stellaluna
Author: Jamell Cannon
This book is cute and silly, with a great message about inclusion and acceptance. The main character is a bat that get separated from her mother and is taken in by a family of birds. She is eventually reunited with mama bat, but not after learning that even though we look different we are all very much the same.
11. The Monster At The End Of This Book
Author: Jon Stone
This book is a favorite because it speaks directly to kids and involves them in the story. It really makes little ones giggle. And the monster at the end..? Turns out he’s not so scary after all.
12. Llama Llama Red Pajama
Author: Anna Dewdney
I mean, how can you go wrong with a title like this? The baby llama wants his momma (he’s supposed to be going to sleep, of course) and he screams when she doesn’t come back right away. A great book for discussions about patience, anxiety, and nighttime fears.
13. All The Awake Animals Are Almost Asleep
Author: Crescent Dragonwagon
This book has everything you want in an early picture book; it’s an alphabet book, an animal book, and a bedtime story. It’s also no overly long, the illustrations are beautiful, and it puts kids in that bedtime mood. A solid choice amongst baby shower gifts.
14. Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes
Author: Salley Mavor
There are a lot of nursery rhyme books out there but this one is special. Not only is it full of rhymes, some old favorites and some new, but each illustration is an amazing detailed scene. Your child will have a great time poring over all the intricate pictures.
15. Pajama Time!
Author: Sandra Boynton
This book takes a look at the various outfits that fun creatures put on before joining a pajama party. The whole crew finally settles down and wishes are shared for a hushed good night. Boynton’s characters are lovable as ever, with expressions toddlers are sure to love.
Books For Mom and Dad:
16. Happiest Baby On The Block
Author: Harvey Karp, M.D.
Dr. Karp, a pediatrician, gives sensible and kind solutions for new parents to help them handle the screaming fits of their new babies. He basically shares his baby whispering secrets and research. This is one of the best baby shower gifts you can receive. His number one piece of advice? “Get help! Historically, young couples were never expected to care for a baby all by themselves, and neither should you.”
17. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk
Authors: Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
You probably already know this, yelling and pleading with your children doesn’t work. This book offers respectful advice for ways to speak to kids that does. If you want less stress and more love in your family interactions, then this is the book for you. It helps parents improve relationships–with their kids and everyone else they meet.
18. The SleepEasy Solution
Authors: Jennifer Waldburger, L.C.S.W., and Jill Spivack, L.C.S.W.
When the rich and famous with new babies need to get some sleep, they call on these popular Hollywood psychotherapists. Their technique gets babies snoozing in as little as three nights. The aim is to address the emotional needs of both parent and child. The book also offers tips and tools for handling the crying of both mom and baby.
19. Making Babies: Stumbling Into Motherhood
Author: Anne Enright
This book is a wry personal, and refreshingly honest look at pregnancy and motherhood. It’s not a guidebook or how-to manual, more like real a conversation with your bestie. New moms will totally relate.
20. Let’s Panic About Babies!
Author: Alice Bradley
The full title of this book says it all – Let’s Panic About Babies! How to Endure and Possibly Triumph Over the Adorable Tyrant Who Will Ruin Your Body, Destroy Your Life, Liquefy Your Brain, and Finally Turn You In a Worthwhile Human Being. This book is Funny, with a capital “F”. But it’s also a great reminder to stop stressing out so much and enjoy your baby. Motherhood is messy and hard, but also fun.
21. Juggling Twins: The Best Tips, Tricks, and Strategies
Author: Meghan Regan-Loomis
This is a great baby shower gift for any mamma expecting twins! It’s an easy read, and helps prepares parents for the logistical drama of having two crying babies at once. It lays out simple systems to make juggling two infants easier and keeps you from going completely nutty.
22. The Blessing Of A Skinned Knee
Author: Wendy Mogel Ph.D.
This beloved bestseller offers a practical, inspiring new roadmap for raising self-reliant, ethical, and compassionate children. Dr. Mogel helps parents learn how to turn their children’s worst traits into their greatest attributes. She shows you how to encourage gratitude in a materialistic culture.
23. Simplicity Parenting
Authors: Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross
Today’s chaotic society is waging a war on childhood. With too much stuff, too many choices, and too little time, children can become anxious or even be diagnosed with behavioral problems. This book offers inspiration, ideas, and a blueprint for change. It shows parents how to simplify and scale back to create a less overwhelming and more positive childhood experience.
24. No Drama Discipline
Authors: Daniel Siegellf and Tina Payne Bryson
Highlighting the fascinating link between a child’s neurological development and the way a parent reacts to misbehavior, No-Drama Discipline provides an effective, compassionate road map for dealing with tantrums, tensions, and tears—without causing a scene.
25. The Big Book Of Organic Baby Food
Author: Stephanie Middleberg MS, RN
For the health conscious mamma-to-be; Cooking nutritious meals for your family while catering to everyone’s favorite foods can be exhausting. By serving recipes that satisfy kids and adults, this baby food cookbook promises parents they’ll only have to make one healthy meal for everyone to share.
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