Family Life Fun Entertainment Books 12 Board Books Beloved by Parents Editors and Their Babies The true mark of a great board book? When parents can still remember the smile it put on their baby's face no matter how many years have passed. These classics pass the test. By Catherine Hong Updated on July 9, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Illustration by Francesca Spatola; Amazon (2) 01 of 12 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Philomel Books Buy Now By Eric Carle "When my daughter was about 18 months old, she would hand me this book to read time and time again, giggling when the caterpillar 'pops' out of its cocoon, studying all the delicious foods, and pretending to be a butterfly when we got to the end. She heard it so often that she had memorized the words. At her second birthday party, she 'read' the story to her guests and then enjoyed a big piece of chocolate cake and slice of watermelon!" —Karen Cicero, Parents Senior Editor 02 of 12 Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Little Simon Buy Now By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault "I was slightly too old for this book when it was my sister's favorite (she's 5 years younger), and whenever my parents read it to her, I rolled my eyes. Too much rhyming, too many nonsense words! Thirty years and one son later, I finally get it. The book is colorful and clever (the lowercase letters are the uppercase letters' kids! Genius!), and its rhyme and rhythm teach the alphabet in a far more tuneful way than the droning ABC song. I'm officially a fan." —Katie Arnold-Ratliff, Parents Senior Features Editor 03 of 12 The Mitten G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers Buy Now By Jan Brett "My son is obsessed with animals, so he is completely enraptured by the book's beautiful lifelike illustrations of the owl, the fox, the bear and the rest of the forest critters who end up snuggling together inside of the knitted mitten." —Yolanda Wikiel, Parents Food and Lifestyle Director 04 of 12 Pat the Bunny Golden Books Buy Now By Dorothy Kunhardt "I loved flipping through the interactive pages of Pat the Bunny as a kid—feeling the soft bunny's fur, lifting the cloth flap to reveal a mirror, fitting my finger into 'Mommy's ring.' I read it so much—long after the recommended age range—that my mom had to re-bind the pages with tied pieces of yarn." —Emily Elveru, Parents Staff Health Editor 05 of 12 Harold and the Purple Crayon HarperCollins Buy Now By Crockett Johnson "My kids were always curious to see what Harold would draw next! In a simple but powerful way, the book shows how we can all create our own fun with a little imagination." —Diane Debrovner, Parents Deputy Editor 06 of 12 Goodnight Moon HarperFestival Buy Now By Margaret Wise Brown "I get so much pleasure from observing the world around me: seeking out a four-leaf clover; browsing the aisles of a foreign supermarket; discovering which books my friends keep on their shelves. I am sure this habit was first honed when Goodnight Moon was read to me as a small child, when grown-ups pointed out all the objects found in the book's iconic bedroom, when I learned just how fun it is to have a keen eye." —Ava Bramson, Parents Art Assistant 07 of 12 Guess How Much I Love You Candlewick Buy Now By Sam McBratney "I received Guess How Much I Love You as a gift and was so thrilled. Once we started reading it to her, my daughter requested it every night!" —Shelley Wolson, Parents Copy Editor 08 of 12 Elmer HarperCollins Buy Now By David McKee Editors agree: The brightly colored patchwork elephant living among grey elephants helps us teach our kids to embrace differences. 09 of 12 The Runaway Bunny HarperFestival Buy Now By Margaret Wise Brown "I can still remember the feeling of being 3 or 4-years old, tucked in snug next to my mother, listening to her read this book. My mother was ever-present and fiercely protective. I don't know why, exactly, but she seemed to fear losing us. When she held our hands on the street, her grip was tight. I didn't understand what her anxiety was about, and even as a young kid, I resented it a bit. But reading this book, I saw my mother in the mother bunny, and I realized that at its core, her protectiveness stemmed from maternal instinct and love. I saw myself in the baby bunny too—with dueling wishes to run free and be safe in my mother's arms. I don't know if I knew it then, but this book taught me just how important a story can be." —Julia Edelstein, Parents Editor-in-Chief 10 of 12 The Little Engine That Could Grosset & Dunlap Buy Now By Watty Piper "The Little Engine That Could is such a great moment of triumph in children's books. Hearing my child mutter "I think I can, I think I can" lets me know those little messages are really getting through and impacting him in a great way. It's a perfect reminder that those who are small can accomplish amazing things." —Joanna Muenz, Parents Photo Editor 11 of 12 Blankie Candlewick Buy Now By Leslie Patricelli Editors declare it a must-read for any toddler who carries around their blanket, and an awesome baby shower gift paired with a swaddling set, bunting bag, or lovey. 12 of 12 Where Is Baby's Belly Button? Little Simon Buy Now By Karen Katz "Babies can't get enough of a 'peek-a-boo' game and that's what makes each page a thrill for them. At first you lift the flaps to find baby's eyes under the hat and so on, but once your kid can do the reveals themselves, it's even more fun. My kids loved that baby's feet are behind the cat!" —Jessica Hartshorn, Parents Entertainment Editor Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit