What's better to introduce your 1-year-old to reading than a classic board book [1]? A touch-and-feel board book! Both of my kids absolutely loved touch-and-feel books right around the 12-month mark. In fact, my daughter went through a phase around that time when she would only let me read her books that included textures to feel on each page. If you're shopping for an upcoming first birthday gift [2] or you're simply looking to add some variety to your bedtime reading, consider picking up one of these 10 richly textured board books that will foster your little one's budding love for literacy [3]. With fun and thoughtful stories accompanied by engageing and interactive textures, these touch-and-feel board books will be sure to keep your 1-year-old's attention and have them looking forward to story time.
Never Touch a Spider!
Never Touch a Spider! [4] ($11) is one of our favourites from the Never Touch A series. The bright pictures, sturdy pages, and various rubbery textures are so much fun for toddlers to explore. This book features a variety of insects including a spider, beetle, and centipede doing all sorts of silly activities.
Animal Hide-and-Seek
This book adds an extra layer of fun by featuring not only textures but also interactive flaps for little ones to lift throughout. Animal Hide-and-Seek [5] ($20) is a little more costly, but it's a well-made book with several textures and flaps on each set of pages. The fact that it features barn animals also opens the door for lots of fun with animals sounds when reading aloud.
Biscuit's Pet & Plan Halloween
No need to wait for October to read Biscuit's Pet & Play Halloween [6] ($8) to your toddler. From the Biscuit series, this touch-and-feel book features a variety of costume textures including a scarecrow with "scratchy straw" that has been a huge hit with my kids.
If I Were a Rabbit...
Jellycat's If I Were a Rabbit... [7] ($15) is a unique board book that comes with a fluffy tail attached. This adorable touch-and-feel book is all about rabbits.
That's Not My Train
We have several books from Usborne's That's Not My collection. Though they are all great, That's Not My Train [8] ($12) is our favourite. This book features a series of trains with textured parts. Start teaching your toddler to identify the names of textures as you talk about the rough roof, squashy wheels, and bumpy side of each train.
Tweet! Tweet!
Tweet! Tweet! [9] ($8) has it all: a cutout front cover, silly animal sounds, and a variety of textures to represent a chick, lamb, hedgehog, and rabbit. Your 1-year-old will beg you to read it again and again.
Baby Touch and Feel: Halloween
I had to include a second Halloween [10] book on this list because Baby Touch and Feel: Halloween [11] ($8) is that good. My kids could not get enough of feeling the witch's "green, sticky" potion.
Baby Touch and Feel: Animals
Baby Touch and Feel: Animals [12] ($6) presents a fun mix of farm, zoo, and pet animals. This brightly coloured board book with its simple language easily holds the attention of a 1-year-old.
Never Touch a Dragon!
Never Touch a Dragon! [13] ($9) is the second book from the Never Touch A series by Make Believe Ideas to make the list because its beautiful pictures, rhymes, and textures will make both you and your toddler smile. This book introduces a silly dragon who adores sandwiches and singing.
Bright Baby Touch and Feel: Numbers
This unique touch-and-feel book offers both English and Spanish text. Bright Baby Touch and Feel: Numbers (Bilingual English-Spanish) [14] ($5) is the perfect introduction to numbers and counting. Your toddler will enjoy exploring this book, which is a great size for tiny hands, on her own or while you read.