5 Favorite Baby Books That Sparked Joy (for Both My Boys and Me)

1. Hello, My World by Jannie Ho

🖤 The high-contrast classic
This was an early favorite — bold, black-and-white illustrations perfect for newborn eyes. It’s simple, smiley, and somehow never got old. Even my toddler would flip through it again just to say “sun!” and “bird!”

📌 Why we love it: visually stimulating and calming at the same time.
🛒 [Amazon link]

2. So Many Feelings by Larissa Honsek

🥹 Big emotions, tiny characters
This one somehow hits both playful and meaningful. The expressive little blobs help toddlers name and understand feelings without being too heavy or preachy.

📌 Why we love it: it opened up sweet convos about “mad” and “silly” — and it's honestly adorable.
🛒 [Amazon link]

3. Opposites by Larissa Honsek

🔄 A bright and quirky board book win
From the same author, this one is equally charming. My toddler had so much fun pointing out “big” vs “small” — and the colorful characters made it super engaging.

📌 Why we love it: interactive, fun, and actually educational.
🛒 [Amazon link]

4. Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden

👀 A short-and-sweet classic
This book is a crowd-pleaser. Every page ends with a flap and a rhyming “who?” reveal. Perfect for little hands, and even after the 30th time, I still found myself smiling.

📌 Why we love it: interactive, silly, and quick (aka perfect for a tired mama).
🛒 [Amazon link]

5. I Dig Bathtime! by Brooke Jorden

🛁 Construction + bubbles = toddler joy
I mean… it’s a digger taking a bath. What more could a toddler want? The rhymes are cute, the illustrations are colorful, and my youngest lights up every time we pull it out.

📌 Why we love it: creative, funny, and genuinely fun to read aloud.
🛒 [Amazon link]

Final Thoughts

There are some books that end up mysteriously “lost” (you know the ones)... but these five have stood the test of repeat readings and sticky toddler hands. Whether you’re building your first baby bookshelf or looking for a gift, these are the ones I’d recommend every time.