The best books for babies under 6 months

The best books for babies under 6 months—and how to use them to spark something magical.

Let’s be honest: when you first become a parent, books might not be top of your list. Sleep, feeding, nappies, repeat? Yes. But books? For a baby who can’t even sit up yet?

Actually—yes.

Reading to your baby from the very beginning might feel a bit performative at first (who is this for again?), but research shows—and experience proves—that it lays the foundations for language, bonding, emotional security and brain development. And if you’re wondering what stories are actually suitable for your little one right now, we’ve got you. This guide will help you discover the best books for babies under 6 months, and why they’re much more than just nice things to stack on the nursery shelf.

What Makes a Book Baby-Friendly?

For babies aged 0–7 months, books aren’t just about the words—they’re about rhythm, repetition, bold visuals, textures, and the simple act of hearing your voice.

Look for:

High-contrast images: Ideal for developing eyesight.
Simple, rhythmic language: Helps your baby begin to recognise sounds and patterns.
Interactive elements: Touch-and-feel, lift-the-flap, crinkly textures = baby gold.
Faces and expressions: Babies love looking at other babies.

The Best Books for Babies Under 6 Months

Here are a few firm favourites we see babies (and parents) loving in our classes:

“Look Look!” by Peter Linenthal
A black-and-white visual classic for newborns.
“Baby Faces” by DK
Captivating and comforting—because babies love to study other faces.
“That’s Not My…” series by Usborne
A sensory joy, with soft patches, bumpy textures, and simple repetitive language.
“Where’s Mr Lion?” by Ingela P. Arrhenius
Lift-the-flap fun with bold illustrations—and a surprise mirror at the end!
Whatever you love reading
Your baby doesn’t need perfect rhyme or cutesy language. They just need you.

Why Start Reading This Early?

Here’s the magic: reading together isn’t just about early learning. It’s about presence. It’s about voice, rhythm, bonding, and building a love of stories before they even know what a story is.

At Adventure Babies, our sensory storytelling sessions are carefully designed for babies under one year old. We combine books, sounds, movement and textures to create a world your baby can explore with all their senses.

We see babies this age responding with wide eyes, curious hands, and those first, joyful giggles. It might look like play (and it is!), but it’s also building strong foundations for communication and emotional development.