Best Board Books - Freedom Inside the Box

Board books are books with hard pages. These books are especially great for the first year of your child’s life. They tend to be more durable and last longer. The pages don’t really tear. In general, they are the perfect baby book.

I am here to offer my highest rated board books. This list is ever growing, currently at 40 and counting. As I discover more books that I love, I will add them here.

1. A is for Activist

Join your Activist on this alphabetical introduction to justice. Great vocabulary and an important topic.

2. A is for Awesome

A is for Awesome, iconic women in our world and the many accomplishments they have made.

3. The Antiracist Baby

It’s never too soon to stand up for injustice. Let’s raise our voice with the AntiRacisit Baby!

4. Barnyard Dance

Grab a partner and join in for the Barnyard Dance.

5. Belly Button Book

Listen close as little hippo tells you about her Belly Button!

6. Blue Hat, Green Hat

Red hat, blue hat, green hat, oops! Will turkey ever figure out how to get dressed properly?

7. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Spend the extra money to get the board book with the sliding panels for this Brown Bear book. The little details gives your child something to play with while reading and I think makes the book last longer.

8. C is for Consent

Consent is an incredibly important topic, and one that we probably don’t cover often enough. C is for Consent helps you talk about (and can serve as a reminder) the importance of bodily autonomy.

9. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Follow the alphabet as they all try to fit into the coconut tree. Oh no, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!

10. Counting Kisses

Follow along, Counting Kisses in the book and on your baby!

11. Dinosaurs

Learn about Dinosaurs in this simple book.

12. Dinosaurumpus

Join Triceritops and T-Rex in a Dinosaurumpus! It gives a sizzle and a zing. Number 2 recommendation by Rainbow Sprinkle.

13. Don't Push the Button

Giggle along with your child as the character pleads with ‘Don’t Push the Button!‘. Press it anyway and see what happens!

14. Freight Train

The Freight Train is pulling cars of all different colors. Review the colors together before following it through cities and into tunnels.

15. The Going to Bed Book

It’s time to get ready for bed! Go to Bed with Sandra Boynton’s animal drawings.

16. Goodnight Gorilla

Join the zookeeper as he first says Goodnight Gorilla and then to all the other animals in the zoo. This classic has so much to see in each of the simple illustrations, don’t be surprised if your child reads it well into their older years.

17. Goodnight Moon

My favorite going to bed book, Goodnight Moon offers simple pictures, simple phrases, and a soothing end to your day.

18. Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb

What kind of music can hands and fingers make? Find out in Hand, Hand, Finger, Thumb.

19. Happy Hippo, Angry Duck

Explore Happy and Angry with Hippo and Duck in this simple introduction to emotions.

20. If I Could Keep You Little

One of my personal favorites, If I Could Keep You Little acknowledges the love and pain of watching your child grow up. Careful if you are feeling extra emotional currently. This one could make you cry!

21. Little Blue Truck

The original Little Blue Truck talks about the importance of being kind to all.

22. Mindfulness

Learn and practice some basic Mindfulness skills. It’s never too early to start taking deep breaths. Highly recommended by Monster.

23. Moo, Baa, La La La

Let me admit, in case I haven’t already, that I simply love Sandra Boynton and pretty much all of their books. Moo, Baa, La La La is my all time favorite though. It’s silly and perfect for learning animals.

24. Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?

Mr. Brown can make all sorts of fun sounds with his mouth. Can you make them too?

25. My Dad Loves Me

For all the Dads in the world. I adore books that talk about the love of a parent for their child.

26. My Grandma and I

This book is especially great if your child has a grandma present in their life. I definitely set this one aside for Grandma to read.

27. No! My First Book of Protests

We don’t want to raise children who always say yes. No! is a word they should use and be proud of. It is their first form of protest.

28. Noisy Baby Animals

Warning, I love noisy books. So Noisy Baby Animals meets that functional need while also offering textures to explore. Plus, have you ever head a baby penguin trill? Well now you have.

29. One Hungry Monster

Count up to ten and back again while the Hungry Monsters eat their way through house and home.

30. One Lucky Duck

One Lucky Duck lost his quack and he wants it back. Count through the barnyard animals until duck can find the quack again.

31. Opposites

Up and down, loud and quiet, heavy and light. Join Boynton once again in Opposites.

32. Pajama Time

Another Sandra Boynton Book, join the animal friends as they get ready for bed in Pajama Time.

33. Room on the Broom

“Down!” Cried the witch and she flew to the ground. This fun book talks about friendship and working together. Is there Room on the Broom for more to join? Be sure to select the board book version when purchasing.

34. Snuggle Puppy

Make up your own tune and sing along with Snuggle Puppy. This fun book tells your child “Ooooooo, I love you!”

35. Stars

This book about stars is more than just the stars in the sky. It’s about he shape of a star and all the things that can represent to people. Disclaimer, the line “because a star is different from a rock” drives me crazy too, but you learn to overlook it for the rest of the book.

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