Try these Timeless Classic Baby Books in Nurturing Reader

A classic baby book is one that stands the test of time. It is one that will never go out of style and will stay with you to be read and recited over and over. They are exceptional and noteworthy books, whether they meet the standards of a list of great books or through your own opinion as a reader. Their universal appeal is sure to capture the imagination of your little one as well as foster a love for reading. Our top picks for a baby's first library are a mix of classic titles that have been loved for generations. 

There is nothing more special than bonding with your baby. Reading out loud to your baby every day is a great way to strengthen that bonding experience and promote a healthy and nurturing relationship between parent and child.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is recommended that parents read aloud to their children starting as early as birth. 

There are many benefits on reading aloud to your baby. Reading teaches babies communication and introduces early concepts. It also builds auditory and vocal skills as it teaches babies about the outside world. These skills are crucial in promoting communication skills and brain development. 

What are the best books to have in your nursery? We have put together a list of must-have classic baby books for your reference:

A Bear Called Paddington is the first book of the Paddington Bear collection.  First published in 1958 by Michael Bond, the novel narrates the misadventures of a loveable bear from Peru. The story starts with the Brown family meeting the traveling bear at Paddington Station and then inviting him into their home. The kind gesture changed the lives of the Brown family and the Bear they called Paddington. The family learned that simple situations turn extraordinary when a bear is involved.

This classic has captivated readers for generations with lessons of kindness, consideration, respect, responsibility, and etiquette. All of which are crucial skills that will set children up for success with the comfort of knowing that like Paddington, they will always land on their feet.

Purchase A Bear Called Paddington on Amazon.

The Lorax is one of many classic stories written by Dr. Seuss. The book was published in 1971, long before the global concern for the environment. In this story, Seuss speaks to his audience through his character called the Lorax. Who is the Lorax? He is the loveable creature who speaks for the trees and warns of the dangers of disrespecting the environment. In this fascinating story, we learn of the Once-ler, a character who changed the landscape of his world forever by harvesting the trees.

This story has done much to educate generations of readers of global environmental concerns. It teaches the importance of seeing beauty in the world and the significance of our responsibilities to protect it.
 

Purchase The Lorax on Amazon.

This classic children's novel written by Stan and Jan Berenstain, and edited by Dr. Seuss, marked the debut of the Berenstain Bears. The series has captured the hearts of generations across the globe with its many inspiring lessons.  

The Big Honey Hunt, published in 1962, is the first book of the Berenstain Bears series. The story’s adventure begins when the family of bears discovers that they are out of honey. Mother bear sends Father bear and Small bear out to get more at the store, but Father bear decides that he doesn’t want to take the easy route. He would rather follow a bee and get the sweet honey directly from the source.

Purchase The Big Honey Hunt on Amazon.

Curious George, the first of the series, was published in 1941 after being written by Margret Rey and H. A. Rey. The book tells the story of the orphaned monkey, George, and his misadventures.

In this, the original book of the Curious George Series, the man in the yellow hat takes the orphaned monkey away from the jungle to live in a new home. The curious monkey gets into all kinds of trouble and needs the help of the man in the yellow hat as he escapes jail, sims in the ocean and takes a flying ride on balloons!

This must have classic children’s book teaches not only of the troubles and misfortunes curiosity can bring, but also how to balance those natural curiosities so that they encourage creativity and imaginations in young children.

Purchase Curious George on Amazon.

Are you looking for a gift for a baby shower, or maybe a gift for your own loved one? These classic board books may be the answer as the durable pages were made for small hands to sift through. There are some big stories and lessons to be found in these tiny books and the familiar tales are sure to be loved from one generation to the next.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar narrates the life cycle of a caterpillar. Starting with the hatching of an egg and following through till the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, children will watch in awe as the hungry caterpillar eat its way through the book.

The picture book written by Eric Carle was published in 1994. It teaches children how to count up to five and the days of the week.

Purchase The Very Hungry Caterpillar on Amazon.

Goodnight Moon is a classic American children’s book that has been published in the form of a board book. Since its publication in 1947, the book has become a best seller and has sold more than 4 million copies.

The story written by Margaret Wise Brown is a renowned bedtime story featuring a small bunny saying “goodnight” to everything in its sight.

Purchase Goodnight Moon on Amazon.

Written by Bill Martin Jr., and Eric Carle, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? has been a classic since its 1996 publication. The singsong text and big, colorful pictures have captivated the minds of children for years. Your loved one will be sure to sing along to the “I spy” type narrative as you read aloud and ask what is seen.

Purchase Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? on Amazon.

The internet has made shopping for children’s books fast and easy. Check out our five top sites for shopping for baby books online.
 

1. Amazon

Amazon and its vast number of third-party sellers offer new and used children books. The site offers more used than new books, but the used books are mostly in outstanding condition and are sold at reduced prices. If you have taken advantage of the Amazon Prime service, you are eligible for a rushed 2-day delivery for hundreds of different book titles.
 

2. eBay

The auction site has over 758,000 children books available for purchase and 355,000 are less than 10 dollars to buy. Make sure to pay attention to seller rankings and feedback to ensure you are getting what you pay for when purchasing new and used baby books.
 

3. Book Outlet

Book Outlet is a retailer of thousands of book titles not limited to classic baby books. The ridiculously low prices make this site a priority when searching for baby shower gifts or new books to add to a loved one’s library. Check them out and start filling your nursery with classic baby books today.
 

4. Children’s Bookstore

Children’s Bookstore is a unique online book retailer as it allows users to create accounts and build booklists. Whether you want to keep track of books you have read to baby, or books you would like to add to the bookshelf in the nursery, this site is for you.
 

5. Epic!

If you or your loved one is ore interested in electronic forms of reading, then head over to Epic, the leading digital library for children under 12. With an affordable monthly membership, you will have instant access to over 25,000 of the best books, learning videos, and quizzes. This site has a wide variety of downloadable classic baby books.

Reading to your baby is an important bonding experience, one that should be fun and fulfilling for the both of you. Classic bedtime stories are a sure way to spark baby’s love for reading and literature while building on necessary vocabulary and auditory skills. It is true that classics never go out of style. Whether you are shopping for your own nursery or looking for that perfect baby shower gift, you can be sure that classic childhood books are stories that will be recited time and time again.