Best Books for Babies 2013

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).

Animal 1 2 3

Illustrates the concept of counting with animals of all different shapes, colors, and sizes, including elephants, giraffes, and swans.


Animal Spots and Stripes

Illustrates the spots and stripes of different animals, including tigers, dogs, frogs, and lemurs.


Babies, Babies!

Presents photographs of African American babies as they react to their day-to-day world.




Cradle Me

Presents photos of Native American babies with varying facial expressions in their different styles of cradle boards.


A Kiss Means I Love You

Explores the meanings of different actions, expressions, words, and sounds, from a kiss and a clap to a wave and a yawn.


Little Tug

Little Tug knows what to do when the tall ship, the speedboat, and the ocean liner need him, and at such times, he is indispensable.


Look Look Outside!

A baby looks outside the window and sees all sorts of interesting things, in a book with high-contrast black-and-white illustrations.


Peepsqueak!

A baby chick named Peepsqueak does not listen to the advice of Big Brown Cow, Big Sheep, Yellow Duck, and Baby Bunny, and tries again and again unsuccessfully to fly, until Old Gray Goose gets involved.


Sweet Baby Feet

Simple, rhyming text celebrates baby’s feet as they stretch, tap, and splash throughout a busy day.


Trains Go

Trains grumble, roar, and squeak their way through this board book.