I want to pass my love of reading on to my child and so books are very high on my list of priorities. This said, buying books can get very expensive and there are so many wonderful books on offer which makes the task of selecting the right ones all the more difficult.
I have decided to give you my recommendations based on books I own as well as some guidance with regards to book selection. This way, you will be able to choose the best books and don’t necessarily need me to tell you which ones to buy.
I’m only recommending books that we own and enjoy. This will therefore be an ever-expanding page with new recommendations added as our library grows.
What I look for in a Montessori-friendly book
#1 Books that are in-line with my child’s interests
I look for books based on my son’s interests. Since you can’t buy all the books you want at once – I started with what I considered to be the basics when he was a newborn (based on very helpful reviews and recommendations from other Montessori bloggers) and have slowly added more books to our collection as my son has started showing interest in specific subject matter like cars and specifically tractors at the moment.
This slowed down approach ensures that you can better budget for and afford your book purchases. It also means you will buy books that are specifically tailored to your child’s individual needs/interests and not waste money just buying books you think they might like one day.
#2 Age-appropriate books
The picture to word ratio is usually a good indicator of age appropriateness. You start with books that have only one picture per page and no words. These are ideal for babies. Then you move on to one picture per page and one word. Next is a picture with a sentence and so on. Eventually, you get to more complicated stories and multiple pictures or illustrations per page.
#3 Realistic images and stories
Before the age of 3, it is preferred to only read books that are based on reality. This would be anything that informs a child about the world around them – things they can eventually do and see. Remember fiction is stories that are made up but that could happen. Fantasy is someone else’s imagination and can be very confusing for a child who does not have a foundation of reality yet. It becomes unclear what is real and what is not.
#4 Board books/Indestructible pages
I only buy board books for my son (15 months old) because I want him to be able to enjoy the books on his own. It is also easier for a toddler hand to turn the page on a board book is easy to wipe clean after use.
#5 Beautiful photography & illustrations
I am drawn to books that are visually pleasing and I’m sure my child is no different. We all enjoy the beauty and especially if it’s something we can stare at all day. I especially enjoy beautiful illustrations and artwork and I believe it lends more longevity to the books. Art never gets old!
#6 Books that expand our horizons
I would love to take my son to see the world and maybe one day I will be able to realize that dream, but until then I will have to depend on books to show us the world with all the amazing things to see and do.
#7 Availability
It is very expensive to pay for international delivery and import fees when you live outside the US so I only purchase books that I can find here in South Africa.
*I am sure If I can find them in South Africa they should be easy to find for those of you who live in other countries outside of the US/UK.
Books I recommend for babies and toddlers (0 – 24 months)
Baby’s Very First Black And White Book (Little Library) by Usborne
What you can expect from these books?
These little books were such a great buy and have been enjoyed since day one. They were one of the first things I bought after my baby was born – after I learned about Montessori and the benefits of high contrast pictures for infants.
There are four board books in this box set:
- Faces
- Animals
- Going Out
- Babies
The illustrations are all black & white with a pop of color here and there. Each book has 5 pages (10 pictures).
What I love about these books
- They are pocket size and easily fit into your handbag for a quick trip.
- The books cover such a large variety of topics that are interesting to a baby as well as a young toddler. My son enjoys reading them to himself now.
- They are just the right size for a baby to hold and light enough that they won’t hurt themselves when they drop the book on their faces while lying down.
- The illustrations are adorable
Here’s the link if you want to check it out on Amazon. You can also click on any of the images on this page to get sent to Amazon where I will earn a commission on anything you decide to buy – at no extra cost to you.
Tickle, Tickle by Helen Oxenbury
What you can expect from this book?
I recently purchased Tickle, Tickle which is one of four books in a series by Oxenbury. It is a delightfully simple book and it has been a big hit with my 15-month-old. I wish I had bought these books sooner because he would have enjoyed them from a much earlier age. This is a board book with four pages and 1 sentence/phrase per page.
The other three books in the Action series are:
- All Fall Down
- Clap Hands
- Goodnight
I plan on buying books from the I Can Series next.
What I love about these books
- The illustrations are very captivating to a baby because the focus is on the babies and they are affectionately drawn. They are realistic enough and not creepy like a lot of drawings of babies tend to be.
- They are multi-cultural so any race of baby will be able to relate to the illustrations.
- The rhythmic rhyming phrases on each page are so mesmerizing and relaxing that I catch myself repeating them out loud all the time!
Here’s the AMAZON link if you’ve missed it.
Ten Little Fingers And Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
What can you expect from this book?
This is a very thick board book with a beautiful story of different babies born in different places in the world and yet everyone has something in common – Ten little fingers and ten little toes. The story concludes by including your baby as a special baby born who is ‘mine all mine’. Once again a firm favorite in our house.
What I love about this book
- The illustrations are beautiful and sweet
- The story hints at different countries and cultures
- The repetition and rhythmic nature of the text feels like a lullaby
First 100 Words & First 100 Animals by Priddy Books
What you can expect from these books?
These two board books contain all the vocabulary your child will need to get started. They contain multiple photographs of various objects on each page. Each book has 10 glossy board pages. You can’t go wrong with most of what’s on offer by Priddy Books.
First 100 Words include the following categories:
- Colors
- Things that go
- Bathtime
- Bedtime
- Mealtime
- Food
- Myself
- Outside
- Clothes
- Toys
- Pets
- Farm Animals
First 100 Animals include the following categories:
- Pets
- Wild Animals
- On the farm
- Rivers and Lakes
- Forests and woods
- Jungle
- Birds
- African Animals
- Polar Animals
- Seas and Oceans
- Australian Animals
- Bugs & Insects
What I love about these books
- Clear bright photos
- Extensive variety to look at and something new to discover or new word to learn every time you page through
- They are the perfect size for little hands to handle and make the perfect traveling companions
- The back & front cover is padded with rounded edges which makes them somewhat chew proof.
- Incredible bang for your buck!
Here’s the Amazon link for First 100 Words 
and First 100 Animals by Priddy Books.
See, Touch, Feel by Priddy Books
What can you expect from this book?
Paging through this beautiful big, bright board book is a sensorial delight and will keep your child captivated. it is an interactive book that asks your toddler to come and play – feel the bumps, bang on the drum, and touch the shapes. My son’s favorite is the mirror on the last page. Perhaps better for toddlers 1 to 2 years.
What I love about this book
- This book invites your child to use all of their senses
- The size of this book makes it very sturdy to use.
Check out this book and others by Priddy books by following this link to Amazon. If you purchase anything after following this link – I will earn a commission from the sale – at no extra cost to you.
Baby Touch And Feel Series by DK Books
What can you expect from these books?
These little padded board books have beautiful clear photographs of one isolated animal or object on a white or color background with one-word descriptions or short phrases. They have something for everyone with an extensive range of titles. Each picture has a tactile component or some extra visual interest that enhances the experience. Each book consists of 5 pages (12 pictures).
We own three of these books so far. Baby Dinosaur, Animals & First Words
What I love about these books
- I can see how my son will enjoy these books for years to come. They will even come in handy when he starts to read.
- The padded covers and rounded edges make them very safe for babies and toddlers alike
- I love the clear isolated images on the plain background.
- I love the variety of titles you can choose from that covers every interest your young toddler could have.
- It is very easy for my son to page through on his own and the pages wipe down easily.
Here are the Amazon links to Baby Touch And Feel – Animals and First Words by DK Books
National Geographic Kids: Look & Learn Series
What you can expect from these books?
I am very impressed by these board books. They are packed full of beautiful and unusual photographs, nuggets of information, and wonderful concepts to share with your child. There are 10 pages in each book (22 pictures) and an extensive variety of titles.
Follow any of the links below to Amazon if you would like to have a look at these books. These are affiliate links which means I will earn a commission if you decide to purchase anything on the site.
We own the following titles:
What I love about these books
- The unusual photography – you won’t find photographs like these in any other children’s books. When I say unusual, I mean different and unique perspectives for example of birds in flight or a bumblebee at close range.
- There are different layers of information that will be suitable for very young and old.
Happy reading!