One of the first books you will share with baby? We can guarantee an ABC board book ranks high on the list. We’ve culled through and named some of our favorite options – from ones that incorporate tactile learning to pairing the alphabet with fresh concepts (and beyond the A is for Apple). An ABC board book makes for a charming baby shower gift, or present for a 1 or 2 year old. As little ones get older and start learning the alphabet, you realize you can’t have enough ABC books, especially those that incorporate the alphabet in fresh ways.
TouchThinkLearn: ABC Board Book
Why mom approves: We love the bold, bright graphics and cut-outs
TouchThinkLearn: ABC ($24.99) is a wonderful, let-little-hands-explore ABC board book that is crafted to be a keepsake. Beautifully designed, the bold, bright graphics and letters are paired with cut-outs and raised artwork to touch. This is a great book to open on the nursery or playroom floor and have children turn pages at their own pace.
ABC Mindful Me: ABCs for a happy, healthy mind & body
Why mom approves: Learning mindfulness at a young age gets an A+ from us
We are big fans of incorporating mindfulness into everyday living, even when it comes to children. With playful rhymes, and bright, colorful illustrations, ABC Mindful Me (around $12) teaches easy-to-understand mindful practices for each letter of the alphabet. Teach little ones to manage emotions, grow their concentration, proper breathing, gratitude, kindness and compassion. At the end of this ABC board book, an index provides a quick guide for the mindfulness lessons explored. For a total zen experience, pair this book with ABC Yoga.
ABC Board Book: Alphablock
Why mom approves: A hide-and-peek alphabet hunt among fun, retro illustrations
Alphablock (around $15) has a super cool retro vibe, with bright-colored illustrations to keep little ones engaged. This ABC board book feels like it can hold up to heavy use, with thick pages that are cut into the shape of each letter. Parents will have fun walking their child through the clues on the page, as they peek around the letterform and guess at what’s hiding behind.
ABC Board Book: Eating the Alphabet
Why mom approves: We feel healthier reading this book
Are the parents foodies? Love to cook or garden? Eating the Alphabet ($7.99), an ABC board book by Lois Ehlort, takes parents and little ones on a journey through the abcs using fruits and vegetables. Little ones will be delighted in seeing familiar foods and being introduced to new ones. This is another lay-on-the-ground board book for little ones to roam at their own pace.
ABC Baby Signs
Why mom approves: A fun and joyful way to communicate better with baby
With its sweet illustrations by Christiane Engle, ABC Baby Sign ($16.95), makes learning to communicate with baby fun. Through rhymes and charming illustrations, this ABC board book walks parents and baby through 26 of the most common baby signs, such as “all done, “more,” and “please.”
ABC of Physics
Why mom approves: A perfect book for a mini scientist
A is for Atom, B is for Black Hole. With the ABCs of Physics ($9.99), everyone from babies to parents learns a new physics concept. It’s a wonderfully new, and scientifically-inspired way to talk about the ‘abc’s. Other ABC board books the STEAM baby may enjoy: ABCs of Science, ABCs of Mathematics, ABCs of Biology and ABCs of Space.
ABC Board Book: Jane Foster’s ABC
Why mom approves: Bright and bold, cheery graphics
Learn the “abc’s” through the bright, bold and cheery graphics in Jane Foster’s ABC (around $6). The author and illustrator introduces little ones to the alphabet through graphic illustrations of animals of everyday objects. The book is so beautifully done, that it could inspire an entire nursery theme around her illustrations. We love the idea of pairing this with her other books, First Words, Colors, Things That Go, and gifting mom-to-be a set.
ABC Board Book: Montessori Letter Work
Why mom approves: Montessori approach to the alphabet
In Montessori Letter Work ($9.95), letters are taught as sounds first (instead of names). Each page features a letter of the alphabet, with prompts on how to trace the letter with little fingers. We like that it teaches little ones letter sounds first, setting a solid foundation for reading as they get older.
Larry Gets Lost: ABC Board Book Series
Why mom approves: A fun way to explore a new (or favorite city)
Dive into a new (or favorite!) city with the Larry Gets Lost ABC board books. Larry, the pet, and his owner Pete take a roaming, abc journey through Chicago, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco. These ABC board books are the little sibling companions to the Larry Gets Lost city books that explore each city more in-depth.
ABC Board Book Classic: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Why mom approves: A childhood classic that belongs on every bookshelf
For more than 20 years, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom ($7.99) has been delighting families about a an alphabet race up the coconut tree. Will there by enough room? You will be humming the sing-song rhyme long after the book is closed.
Keep reading: 21 wonderful picture books for every child’s bookshelf.