11 Baby Books to Encourage First Words
by Keith Rice
A first word is an important and exciting milestone that parents anxiously await. As I write this, my own little one is exploring sounds and noises, babbling and chattering away. It’s a fascinating time right at the cusp of a new developmental stage, one that will open a whole new world of communication. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to encourage your child’s burgeoning language skills. These engaging and fun books are perfectly designed to help your little one find those first words.
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First 101 Animal Words
Buy from:Children love animals, and now they can learn the names of 101 critters that creep, crawl, hop, fly, and swim. From frogs and fish to hamsters and horses, a vibrant photo illustration accompanies each word in this sturdy board book.
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Favorite Words
Buy from:When it comes to your child’s first words, finding creative and engaging ways to introduce them to new words is half the battle. Fortunately, Eric Carle’s beloved Hungry Caterpillar is here to help. Featuring ten simple words alongside Carle’s vibrant illustrations, this board book is a fantastic addition to the library of your newly chatty little reader.
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100 First Words (Ms. Rachel)
Buy from:It’s never too early to start teaching your child their first words, and YouTube sensation Ms. Rachel is here to help. With color-coded sections, familiar gestures from her videos, and tips and tricks in the back, this board book is an excellent resource to help little ones learn their first words.
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Baby: First Words
Buy from:This board book offers a tactile and colorful introduction to new words. A series of flaps encourage children to explore and discover words and the everyday objects they’re associated with. It’s an interactive and colorful way to help your child learn not only words but shapes and textures too.
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Our Big Book of First Words
Buy from:Gorgeous, vintage-style illustrations accompany each of the 100 words in this board book. The author is a certified language pathologist and chose foundational words that will boost your child’s comprehension and give them the best start on their word-learning journey.
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Dr. Seuss’s 100 First Words
Buy from:This sturdy board book shows your child all the joys of language through the delightfully inventive works of Dr. Seuss. Filled with images from many of his beloved classics, 100 First Words pairs Dr. Seuss characters with essential first words for babies and toddlers. It makes learning and developmental growth fun.
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First Words With Cute Crochet Friends
Buy from:This padded board book teaches toddlers words for things like food, animals, and plants. Each word is illustrated with an adorable crocheted object. If you’re crafty, you can find the crochet patterns for many of these cute items in Lauren Espy’s how-to books for adults, Whimsical Stitches and Crochet Cafe.
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100 First Words
Buy from:100 First Words presents a host of words and concepts ranging from primary colors to foods and animals. Bright pictures, colorful illustrations, and clear labels encourage your little one to explore and identify while developing early language skills.
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Things That Go: Slide and See First Words
Buy from:Toddlers love to keep their hands busy, and this board book allows them to touch and explore while learning their words. Readers can move the sliders to make cars drive across the page and rockets blast into space. It’s perfect for kids who love things that go.
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My Very First Book of Words
Buy from:With My Very First Book of Words, your little one can discover new words by matching an image on the bottom half of the page with a word on the top half of the page. This interactive board book features Carle’s vibrant and clever illustrations and will help your kiddo find new words and begin to understand their meanings.
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Roald Dahl Words
Buy from:Introduce your baby to the wild and wacky world of Roald Dahl with this book of first words. Tiny readers will learn the names of animals and objects while completing challenges like finding all the chickens on a page or counting balloons. This board book is a must-have for any new parent who loves Roald Dahl.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2026.