Reading to babies helps them learn the sound of language, begin to recognize words and expose them to new concepts and ideas. In 2014, there were a lot of new books that came out for babies! But here are my top recommendations for any new mom looking for the best new books for babies.

Find the best new books for babies of 2014 at your local library or purchase through the affiliate links provided for your convenience. All recommendations are mine.

Don’t miss out on the other Best New Books of 2014!

• Best New Books for Toddlers of 2014
• Best New Books for Elementary Students of 2014
• Best New Books for Middle School of 2014

Best New Books for Babies of 2014

Ten Tiny Toes: Caroline Jayne Church brings her adorable toddler art and lovely rhymes to this joyful twist on the tried-and-true classic, HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES, AND TOES. From ears that wiggle to bellies that giggle, TEN TINY TOES is sure to inspire little ones as they learn to celebrate their “mouth, ears, eyes, nose, and a love that grows and grows.”

1-2-3 Peas: Meet the peas—the 1-2-3 Peas! Come along as they count from one to one hundred in this pea-filled board book that’s packed with bright, bold numbers and playful number-themed scenes. These tiny green mathematicians will have young readers everywhere calling for more peas, please!

If Animals Kissed Good Night: In a cozy bedtime chat with her mom, a young girl wonders how animal families might say good night. Would Wolf and his pup “kiss and then HOWL”? Would Bear and her cub “kiss and then GROWL”? But what about Sloth and her baby? They move soooo slooowwwww . . . they’re sure to be kissing from early evening until long after everyone else is fast asleep! With whimsical art and playful rhyming verse, this picture book is now in board book format for the first time, perfect for bedtime snuggles.

The Bunny Rabbit Show! You’ve got front-row seats to the cutest revue in town—hop on down to The Bunny Rabbit Show! The latest addition to Sandra Boynton’s phenomenal bestselling Boynton on Board series, this book stars a cast of high-kicking bunnies performing in perfect unison to a lively song all about . . . them.

Zoom, Zoom, Baby!: (Lift-The-Flap Books): In this transportation-themed board book from Karen Katz, little ones can lift the flaps on each spread to reveal adorable animals inside a variety of vehicles, such as a train, a plane, a truck, and more! But where is Baby? With Katz’s signature bright, striking art, this board book with its sturdy, easy-to-lift flaps is sure to zoom onto bookshelves everywhere.

Hot Dog, Cold Dog: Simple rhyming text and boldly graphic, funny illustrations show off the comically lovable proportions of the dachshund, with its short legs and long body, spirited nature, and cheerful temperament. Author Frann Preston Gannon reveals a surprising variety of wiener dog looks and shows kids all the fun these little dogs have as they visit the beach, cavort in the snow, dig in the garden, jump to the ceiling, and even ride a skateboard–all the while giving a lesson in opposites.

Peek-A-Zoo! Read the clue . . . guess the animal . . . giggle wildly . . . and repeat! At long last, board book virtuoso Nina Laden has created a companion to her beloved classic Peek-a Who? (one of Scholastic magazine’s 100 Greatest Books for Kids with more than 800,000 copies sold). Colorful pictures and a lively, rhyming text help children predict what animal is peeking through die-cut windows. The anticipation of what’s hiding on the next page and the bright, engaging illustrations will keep youngsters laughing and learning all the way to the surprise ending.

Edgar Gets Ready for Bed: A BabyLit® First Steps Picture Book:  Meet the plucky toddler Edgar the Raven! He’s mischievous, disobedient, and contrary. Dinnertime, cleanup-time, and bedtime are all met with one word: NEVERMORE! But as the evening winds to a close, Edgar’s mom knows just what to do to get her son into bed—a bedtime story.

Toot: A subject dear to children’s hearts is in the spotlight as Leslie Patricelli’s beloved baby character returns. Everybody does it: Kitty, Doggie, Daddy — even Mommy! And when Leslie Patricelli’s beloved bald baby does it while running, it sounds like a train. This frank and very funny look at a certain noisy body function is perfectly suited to the youngest of listeners, while their giggling older siblings will be happy to read it aloud.

Moo! When Cow gets her hooves on the farmer’s car, she takes it for a wild ride through the country. Moooo! But a bump in the road brings this joy ride to a troublesome end. Moo-moo. . . Has Cow learned her lesson about living life in the fast lane? Moo?

The Little Red Box of Bright and Early Board Books: A boxed set of four board books featuring P.D. Eastman’s famous dogs! Tucked inside this little red box topped with a sturdy handle are board book adaptations of the classic Beginner Books by P.D. Eastman: Go, Dog. Go!; Big Dog . . . Little Dog; The Alphabet Book; and Michael Frith’s I’ll Teach My Dog a Lot of Words. Perfect for the holidays, baby showers, and happy occasions of all kinds, this is a literacy-nurturing gift that babies can literally sink their teeth into!