Unique Board Books for the Littlest Readers

Ideal for tiny hands and ever-growing minds, board books teach young children basic reading concepts while entertaining them with bright colors, charming characters, and quirky plots. Often popular as alphabet books, board books have recently entered a popular new market of introducing fun, silly, sometimes outrageous topics to the littlest readers. Peruse the list below to discover books on rocket science, politics, dinosaurs, and even Scottish-themed weather vocabulary. Happy learning!

To find more board books in our collection, please use the library catalog to search the subject terms “board book” and “juvenile.”

Ferrie, Chris.
Rocket Science for Babies. 2017.
Simple, colorful spreads introduce young readers to basic concepts of lift and thrust. Though this book may be more charming for adults than babies, it promotes the idea that it’s never too early to start learning about aerospace engineering
[SSHEL S-Collection S.621.4356 F416r]

Holub, Joan.
This Little President: A Presidential Primer. 2016.
Even the youngest patriots can learn about America’s ten most influential presidents featured in this playful board book. The book ends with a final spread featuring all of the U.S. presidents.
[SSHEL S-Collection S.973.099 H747t]

Idle, Molly.
Flora and the Chicks. 2017.
Acclaimed artist Molly Idle breaks into the world of board books with this charming counting book. Featuring fold out pages, this interactive book uses adorable chicks to help youngsters practice their number concepts.
[SSHEL S-Collection SE. Id4flc]

Jenkins, Steve.
1-2-3 Dinosaurs Bites! A Prehistoric Counting Book. 2012.
Learning to count has never been so fun! With fun dinosaur facts and pictures on each page, this book helps emerging readers learn about counting with help from their favorite prehistoric animals.
[SSHEL S-Collection SE. J4182o]

Jullien, Jean.
Before & After. 2017.
Filled with two-frame narratives of “before-and-after” images, this clever book introduces the idea of cause and effect with satisfying results for each pair of bright and colorful illustrations.
[SSHEL S-Collection S.155.413 J948b]

McLelland, Kate.
My First Scottish Weather. 2017.
With adorable, eye-catching images and simple words on each page, this book teaches basic weather terms with a quirky Scottish twist.
[SSHEL S-Collection SE. M2245mfsw]

Mühle, Jörg.
Bathtime for Little Rabbit. 2017.
Little Rabbit is a reluctant bath time participant and needs your help to get him ready for bed. Grab a towel and get ready to lather, rinse, and dry off this furry little friend.
[SSHEL S-Collection SE. M893b:E]

Perkins, Chloe.
Snow White. 2016.
The classic story of Snow White is delightfully reimagined with a new Japanese twist in this fairy tale board book series Once Upon a World. The plot stays true to the original tale, but the environment and style offer a fresh perspective.
[SSHEL S-Collection S.398.2 P4192s]

Picasso, Pablo.
Birds & Other Animals. 2017.
This early concept book combines acclaimed artist Pablo Picasso’s single-line sketches of animals with easy-to-read words and short sentences to teach animal recognition and introduce children to the world of fine art.
[SSHEL S-Collection SE. P581b]

Tallec, Olivier.
Who Done It? 2015.
An adorable “first detective” book for young readers, this board book asks children to analyze characters on each page and use context clues to discover “who done it.” An entertaining, interactive read for all ages.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SE. T1449q:E]