I’ve shared kids’ book round-ups before, covering many ages, but this piece focuses specifically on board books. Even now, at age four, our family still reads most of these regularly. They also make wonderful gifts for baby showers or new parents.
Board books are favorites for a few reasons: they’re sturdy, short enough for a quick read before bed, and ideal for building vocabulary and letter recognition as little ones grow. Some of the books below are geared toward babies, while others remain engaging for toddlers and preschoolers alike.
Board Book Series We Love
Lil’ Libros Series
Bilingual board books that introduce vocabulary, highlight prominent Latinx figures, and celebrate Latin American cities. Pictured above: Vamanos a Oaxaca by Patty Rodriguez & Ariana Stein, illustrated by Citlali Reyes.
Little Blue Truck Series
A charming series about a friendly blue truck and his adventures in the country and city, across seasons and holidays. Pictured: Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry.
Little Dinos Series
Simple, direct stories that address common challenging behaviors like hitting, biting, and pushing, helping little ones understand alternatives. Pictured: Little Dinos Don’t Hit by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Adam Record.
“This Little” Series
A lively biographical collection that introduces children to presidents, scientists, artists, environmentalists, and other noteworthy figures in accessible, age-appropriate formats. Pictured: This Little Dreamer by Joan Holub, illustrated by Daniel Roode.
Cook in a Book Series
Interactive recipe books illustrated for kids. We have Cookies, Pizza, and Tacos, and they’re always in rotation. These are excellent gifts for little chefs or families who love cooking with kids. Pictured: Cookies: An Interactive Recipe Book by Lotta Nieminen.
Empowerment Series
Concise, uplifting books that help children navigate feelings like fear and build confidence through simple language and supportive messages. Pictured: I Am So Brave by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Sara Gillingham.
Hello!Lucky Board Book Series
Vibrant, eye-catching board books that address topics like kindness and potty training and celebrate different family members. Pictured: Kindness Rules by Eunice Moyle and Sabrina Moyle.
Board Books We Love
Corduroy by Don Freeman
A timeless classic about a little bear searching for a home. Gentle, sweet, and comforting for young listeners.
Love Makes A Family by Sophie Beer
One of our favorites that celebrates the many ways families are formed. The illustrations are warm, colorful, and inclusive.
Goodnight Moon / Buenas Noches, Luna by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
A bilingual edition of a bedtime classic—comforting, rhythmic, and perfect for winding down.
Press Here by Hervé Tullet
An imaginative, interactive title that reads like a playful game—pages prompt actions and responses that delight young readers.
Alpha Block by Christopher Franceschelli, art by Peskimo
A bold alphabet book with large graphic letters paired with visual clues that make reading it a guessing game as well as a learning tool.
Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi, illustrations by Ashley Lukashevsky
A concise board book outlining introductory steps toward equity and inclusion, presented in simple language for young children.
Memoirs of a Marshmallow by Katie Bettini and Emma Jo
A playful, whimsical tale celebrating marshmallows with charming illustrations and a fun narrative—an entertaining read for kids who love sweet treats.
Hello, Garden Bugs by Julissa Mora
A high-contrast black-and-white book that’s ideal as a first read for infants, helping to build visual attention and early interest in nature.
What Makes A Rainbow by Betty Schwartz, illustrated by Dona Turner
A tactile and visual book that adds a new colored ribbon on each page until a full rainbow appears—an engaging way to teach colors.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar / La Oruga Muy Hambrienta by Eric Carle
A beloved classic that tracks transformation, counting, and days of the week—bilingual editions are a great way to introduce another language early on.
Steam Train Dream Train COLORS by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Designed for train-loving kids, this title pairs each color with an animal and a type of train car to make color learning playful and themed.
These Colors Are Bananas by Jason Fulford & Tamara Shopsin
A creative look at how colors appear in unexpected places, with an interactive final page that addresses skin tones and diversity in a kid-friendly way.
Be Bold Be Brave! Chiquitos by Naive Reynoso & Jone Leal
Profiles eleven Latinas who shaped U.S. history and finishes with a mirror on the last page—always a hit with young readers who love seeing themselves reflected in a book.
Do you have any board books your family returns to again and again? Share your favorites and help others discover new reads for little ones.