Why Books Are Better Than Toys (Even for 6-Month-Olds)

When you picture a six-month-old, you might imagine soft toys, flashing lights, or those never-ending musical buttons. But what if we told you that one of the best things you can give your baby isn’t a toy at all—it’s a book? At Adventure Babies, we’ve seen first-hand how even the tiniest babies light up during storytelling. And it’s not just cute—it’s clever. Books offer something magical for baby brains, from repetition and rhythm to visual stimulation and bonding. Here’s why storytime might just beat tummy time in the long run—and our top picks of the best books for babies under 1 to get you started.

best books for babies under 1

📚 Books Build Brilliant Baby Brains

At this age, babies are soaking up the world around them like little sponges. The colours, shapes, sounds, and patterns in books offer just the right kind of stimulation. While a toy might be pressed, chewed or shaken (and forgotten), a book can build language pathways, focus attention, and even support memory.

We know from research that reading regularly helps babies recognise sounds and rhythms long before they speak. The sing-song tone you naturally use while reading? That’s called infant-directed speech, and it’s proven to support early communication.

Add to that the emotional layer—cuddling up with a book builds connection, reassurance and a lifelong association between reading and feeling safe.

best books for babies under 1

🧠 Why Repetition and Rhythm Matter

Let’s be honest—babies love repetition. (So much so, you may hide That’s Not My Duck behind the sofa). But repetition is brain-building gold. Every time your baby hears the same phrases or sees the same pictures, their neural connections get stronger.

Books for babies under 1 tend to be full of:

  • Repeated sounds and words

  • Predictable rhythms or rhymes

  • High-contrast or bold images

  • Interactive textures

These are exactly the kinds of elements that support cognitive development. In class, we watch babies reach for their favourite characters, anticipate page turns, and even react to familiar endings.

best books for babies under 1

🏆 Our Top 5 Best Books for Babies Under 1

At Adventure Babies, these are the books that never fail to spark awe, smiles, and sometimes the occasional slobbery page nibble:

  1. “Dear Zoo” by Rod Campbell
    Flaps, animals, and surprises galore—this one always gets a squeal.

  2. “That’s Not My…” series by Fiona Watt
    Perfect for tiny hands and exploring different textures with every page.

  3. “Baby Faces” by DK
    Babies love looking at faces—and this board book is packed with emotional expressions.

  4. “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle
    Rhythm, rhyme, and bold colour—an early literacy classic.

  5. “Where’s Spot?” by Eric Hill
    Another flap-tastic favourite. Simple text, big reactions.

These are more than books—they’re little adventures in themselves, and they’re some of the best books for babies under 1 when it comes to encouraging curiosity, attention and early bonding.

best books for babies under 1

🔗 Looking for More Inspiration?

The brilliant BookTrust guide to reading with your baby is packed with advice, tips, and book suggestions to help you build storytime into your everyday routine.

🐛 Ready to Raise a Bookworm?

Whether your baby is six days or six months old, it’s never too early to dive into books. In our Adventure Babies classes, we bring stories to life with sensory experiences, puppets, and playful fun—but the heart of it all is the same: helping babies fall in love with books from the very beginning.

If you’re looking to discover the best books for babies under 1, join us and see just how much magic a board book can bring.