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By Melissa Taylor
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written by Kim Howard
Gifting books at a baby shower, whether they’re in place of the card or as a stand-alone gift, is always a great idea. You’re gifting more than an item of clothes that will be outgrown. You’re gifting time spent snuggled up together reading. You’re gifting a memory maker and a brain developer. How incredibly special!
From classics that belong in every home library to touching and special new stories, here are eight of the best baby shower books you can gift.
Picture Books to Gift at a Baby Shower
MAMA LOVES YOU SO written by Terry Pierce; illustrated by Simone Shin
This lyrical board book features a mom narrating the depth of her love for her new baby. The illustrations of mama and baby animals in gorgeous natural settings are bright and modern. This is one of my go-to baby shower gifts, and it’s always a huge hit!
I LOVE MY DADDY written and illustrated by Sebastien Braun
This gentle board book showcases all the special things Daddies do, from bathing to playing to cuddling. The illustrations are soothing, depicting a sweet daddy and baby bear’s relationship.
DO MOMMIES EVER SLEEP? written by Kim Howard; illustrated by Karen Obuhanych
Told from the perspective of a very funny (and very awake) baby, this relatable story is sure to connect with every new mom and her own precious, never-sleeping baby. It’s the perfect sweet and light baby shower book!
GOODNIGHT MOON written by Margaret Wise Brown; illustrated by Clement Hurd
This is the classic bedtime story for kids and a must-have for a new mom’s home library. The board book version is an excellent choice for a baby shower gift.
MADE FOR ME written by Zach Bush; illustrated by Gregorio De Lauretis
A dad describes the love and special connection he feels with his child from the moment the baby was born.
THE GOING TO BED BOOK written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton
Another sleepy time classic! For a while, this board book was read before every nap and bedtime for my youngest. It’s sweet, silly, and ends with a boat full of sleeping animals gently rocking in the moonlight. I’m yawning just thinking about it…
BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE? written by Bill Martin Jr.; illustrated by Eric Carle
No list of baby shower books would be complete without some Eric Carle! While THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR is an excellent go-to that is bound to pop up as a gift at a baby shower, I think BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE? is another classic that deserves a place in every nursery. With it’s rhyming, predictable text and vibrantly colorful animals, this book is perfect for babies and toddlers.
ON THE NIGHT YOU WERE BORN written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman
Everything about this story is whimsical, from the rhyming text to the dreamy pictures. I love how the story focuses on how special the child is, reminding them from the very first night they were born, nothing was ever the same again in the world. This is another baby shower classic pick for me!
About Kim Howard
Kim Howard is a children’s book author and former teacher with her Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies. Her debut picture bookGRACE AND BOXwas the winner of the 2022 Indiana Authors Awards in the Children’s category. She enjoys doing author visits to schools and libraries and inspiring future generations of writers. She lives in Bloomington, Indiana with her husband and their three children. You can find out more about her atwww.kimhowardbooks.com.
Melissa Taylor
Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.
