5 Best Books for a Baby Shower

Reading with new babies is so peaceful. Before they start crawling and moving around; before can shake their heads or wriggle away. In the first few months of my daughter’s life, it was one of our favorite activities. Her eyes searched the pages like a detective, and the sing-song rhythm entranced her.

It’s meaningful for parents, too.  Some of the books have actually made me cry.  Was it the several weeks of sleepless nights and endless feedings? Hormone overload? Probably all of the above.

Books make a perfect gift for new parents, too. I’m not talking about the “how-to” parent books that make you feel like a criminal if you swaddle your baby too long or not at all. I mean the books that remind you how kissable and juicy your baby’s cheeks are, and that your days of cradling them in your arms are numbered.

With all the highly-gendered baby gifts out there, a heartfelt book is a welcome reprieve from the blue and pink overkill. Also, baby books tend to have less gender focus than children’s books.  I love to give books as a baby shower gift or when the new bundle arrives.  I’ve been to several baby showers that asked for a book in lieu of a card – a wonderful tradition I hope continues.

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Baby Cakes

This adorable book can be read like a song. At least, that’s what I do! Baby Cakes is such an adorable book, I am baffled that it is not more popular.  Perfect for newborns and infants, the text is quick and catchy.

It’s sort of a game, too – you get to kiss your baby’s toes and smooch their nose… does it get much better?

The best part is Baby Cakes features illustrations of babies from all races and ethnicities. Your baby gets to see babies that look like him or herself, and understand early that all babies look different!

Wherever You Are (My Love Will Find You)

Ok, break out the tissues, people. This book’s opening line is “I wanted you more than you ever will know, so I sent love to follow wherever you go.”

Need I say more?  The first time I read this book with my child, my friend’s father had recently passed away. I opened up to see the inscription was from her. Needless to say, the waterworks weren’t far behind.

This beautifully written and illustrated book also contains messages about failure, independence, and carving your own path, all the while knowing that your parents love you. Wherever You Are is a true gem.

Giraffes Can’t Dance

Gerald the Giraffe has wobbly knees and no knack for grooving, but wants to join in the annual dance festival in the jungle anyway. Other animals even tease him for his lack of dance skills. But in the end, he is able to find his own rhythm when he recognizes his uniqueness and stops caring about the haters.

Giraffes Can’t Dance is slightly more advanced: fuller sentences and a complete plot, but with colorful illustrations and poetic cadence. “So imagine that the lovely moon is playing just for you – everything makes music if you really want it to.”

A fantastic primer to teach young children that “different” is ok. And even beautiful.

I Love You! (Amazing Baby)

My child LOVES looking at other babies. Now that she can talk, she loves to identify other babies, too. She points and exclaims “Beebee!”  This giant board book is one of our favorite hand-me-downs. I Love You! (Amazing Baby) features lots of photographs of real babies, rather than illustrations.

You can’t really tell whether each baby is a girl or a boy, which I love, of course. Instead, it celebrates the commonalities of babyhood: eating, laughing, crying, sleeping, and playing peekaboo. Best of all, it makes a perfect baby shower or new baby gift, with a slot in the back to drop a photo of YOUR baby!

(While this book is strangely expensive to buy new, the “collector” edition looks much more reasonable.)

You Are My Heart

“Before you were born, my heart always knew I wanted to be a good parent to you.”  Go on friends, grab those tissues again. This one is really for the parents. You Are My Heart is just plain sweetness.

But it’s also honest about the range of complicated emotions that accompany new parenthood: the wonder, the courage, the giggles, and even the (im)patience.

Even though we know books feature moms much more frequently than dads, this book depicts both mothers and fathers as active parents (though of course a dad is the one who gets to nap with his kid!) Overall, this is a keeper that we’ll visit again and again over the years.

I hope this list will help you find the right book for an upcoming baby shower or new baby gift! Or to build your own baby’s library. What other books do you love for new babies?

If you are expecting and decided not to find out the baby’s sex, be sure to grab your free Gender Surprise Handbook: