Best Books for Babies 2012

Each year since 2000 a group of Pittsburgh librarians and child development experts has selected the ten Best Books for Babies published in the previous year. Occasionally lists have more than ten titles because a pair of titles may have been chosen to occupy a single slot.

The Best Books for Babies project highlights the importance of reading beginning at birth. Books selected will delight and engage babies age birth through 18 months and the adults who care for them. Best Books for Babies is a cooperative project of CLP, The Fred Rogers Company, and Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC).

A, You're Adorable

An assortment of children and pets climb over, under, and through the letters of the alphabet in this illustrated presentation of a popular song from the 1940s.



ABC Kids

Introduces both upper case and lower case letters of the alphabet through big, bright illustrations and alliterative text that places various characters in silly situations.


Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site

At sunset, when their work is done for the day, a crane truck, a cement mixer, and other pieces of construction equipment make their way to their resting places and go to sleep.


Little Pookie

Pookie’s mom lists ten things she knows about Pookie.


Little Chicken's Big Day

Little Chicken is tired of being told what to do by Big Chicken, but when they become separated he misses all of the clucking.


My Face Book

Invites babies to look at the faces of other babies as they learn the Chinese and English words for various facial expressions.


My First Words

With over 150 first words and lots to talk about, this book is an essential addition to every young child’s learning library.


Orange Pear Apple Bear

Explores concepts of color, shape, and food using only five simple words, as a bear juggles and plays.


Red Sled

At night, a host of woodland creatures plays with a child’s red sled.