Baby, Sleepy Baby
An interracial family cuddles a beaming baby in this charming picture book.
Best Books for Babies 2022
The Best Books for Babies Committee has been meeting for over 20 years and some members have participated since the beginning. Our goal is to identify books that are well suited for the very youngest listeners.
We want to encourage parents and other caregivers to read to babies right from the start—because learning begins at birth. We also want to recognize the authors, illustrators and publishers who create excellent books for the very youngest listeners.
Committee members are librarians, child development specialists, educators and others with an interest in promoting literacy and learning. Whatever their tenure on the committee, all members have insights and opinions to share. While we didn’t have quite as many books to consider as in past years (blame those supply chain issues and/or disruptions in publishing) we still managed to identify 10 Best Books for Babies published in 2022. (Actually, there are a dozen this time around—we picked two books with companion titles.)
The books selected include several bedtime books, some stories focused on animals and board books with appealing photographs, poems and rhymes. We believe that they will delight and engage babies age birth through 18 months and the adults who care for them.
So please pick up one (or more) of these titles soon–or choose books from previous Best Books for Babies lists–and share them with a baby in your life. In addition to spending some cozy time together, you’ll be preparing your baby’s brain to learn and grow.
You can sign up for a free library card here. If you are new to our eResources, check out these tutorial videos on how to get started.
Looking for a good book, album, movie or TV show? We’re happy to recommend them to you! Use this Personalized Recommendations form to send us some information about what you like and we’ll curate a list just for you.
If you have any additional questions, you can contact a librarian through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. You can also call us at 412.622.3114 or email us at info@carnegielibrary.org.
Farm Lullaby
Playful rhymes and pleasingly old-fashioned illustrations show a variety of farm animals as they prepare for sleep.
This title is also available for checkout as an eBook on Hoopla.
Goodnight Everyone
Bright colors and cleverly designed pages make the pictures in this board book pop.
If You’re Happy and You Know It!
A diverse group of children act out these two play songs; musical notation is included on the back.
Pop a Little Pancake!
A diverse group of children act out these two play songs; musical notation is included on the back.
Jungle Night
Sleepy rhymes give way to a (loud) surprise in this humorous animal-filled board book.
Leo Loves Daddy
Leo is a smiling, energetic baby who enjoys spending time with his father and mother.
Leo Loves Mommy
Leo is a smiling, energetic baby who enjoys spending time with his father and mother.
My Heart Beats
Color photographs show babies and their caregivers with accompanying text that describes the sound of a heartbeat in a variety of languages.
This title is also available for checkout as an eBook on Hoopla.
The Night is Deep and Wide
This poetic lullaby encourages young readers to rest their heads and be soothed to sleep.
This title is also available for checkout as an eBook on Hoopla.
We All Play
Stunning artwork shows animals and children at play in a picture book that can be enjoyed by babies and will remain engaging as children grow.
This title is also available for checkout as an eBook on Hoopla.