How to Build a Nursery Library with the Best Books for Baby

You’ve got the crib, the changing table, the car seat and the stroller. You’re all set with clothes, diapers, and a million other things. But what about books? There’s a lot of baby gear I could do without but the one thing I don’t skimp on is books – there’s no such thing as too many! Whether you plan on putting books on your registry or getting them yourself, here are the very best books to have in a baby’s nursery.
I have divided the books into three groups: the classics, modern classics and toddler books that are a little more complex and are appropriate for kids that are 3-5, but if your baby is patient enough, you might still be able to read them to her.

The Classics:

Goodnight Moon
Pat the Bunny
The Cat in the Hat
Are You My Mother?
My Very First Mother Goose

Modern Classics:

The Very Hungry caterpillar
Where the Wild Things Are
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Snuggle Puppy
Where is Baby’s Belly Button?
Llama Llama Red Pajama

Classic Books For Toddlers:

The Velveteen Rabbit
The Giving Tree
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Madeline
The Little Engine that Could

Not on the list, but still belong in any child’s library: Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, Aesop’s Fables, any books that are about famous cartoon characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Poo, the Sesame Street gang, Thomas the Train, etc. And don’t forget soft books, touch and feel books and books with only pictures that your child can (eventually) name. In this list, I only included one book per author. Obviously, there are many other books by most of these authors that are worth having. For example, Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle have written so many books – all of which are worth having. Beatrix Potter and Shel Silverstein’s books are classics but mostly for slightly older kids.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 7 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.