The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has named its 12 Best Books for Babies for 2024. The list marks the 25th anniversary of the library’s nationally recognized guide to assist parents, teachers, and caregivers in selecting quality materials to share with babies, ages birth to 18 months.

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This year’s selection committee consisted of librarians, a local author/illustrator, an early intervention specialist, a PRIDE professional from the Office of Child Development at the University of Pittsburgh, and others interested in promoting literacy and learning.

The 12 books were chosen from thousands that were published in 2023. More than 25 criteria went into the selections – including how they sound when read aloud; clear, uncluttered illustrations; diverse and authentic representation of race, gender, ability, culture, and family structure; durability; age-appropriate subject matter or theme; and design for an infant audience.

This year’s selections were:

• Alma, Head to Toe/Alma, de Pies a Cabeza (Juana Martinez-Neal)
• Babies (Fiona Munro)
• Babies and Bunnies Book (John Schindel and Molly Woodward)
• Good Night, Baby (Little Bee Books)
• Hello, Baby (Little Bee Books)
• Good Night, Little Fish (Lucy Cousins)
• Leo on a Hike (Anna McQuinn; illustrations by Ruth Hearson)
• Look, It’s Hoot Hoot Owl (Camilla Reid; illustrations by Clare Youngs) 
• Look, It’s Moo Moo Cow (Camilla Reid; illustrations by Clare Youngs)
• My First Lift-the-Flap Nursery Rhymes (Ingela P. Arrhenius)
• See Touch Feel: Tummy Time (Roger Priddy)
• Train (Sebastien Braun)

More Details

Throughout the year, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host Best Books for Babies storytimes, during which families will receive one free book from this year’s list. 

In addition to the list, the Best Books for Babies Committee shared tips for caregivers to make the most out of time spent reading together. Those tips and more information on this year’s selections can be found on the library’s website.