15 Must Buy Books for a Baby Shower
Welcoming a new life into the world is a joyous occasion, filled with anticipation and excitement. Traditionally, baby showers are celebrated with heartfelt cards filled with well wishes and advice for the parents-to-be. However, in recent years, a creative twist has emerged – baby shower books. This alternative to traditional cards not only adds a personal touch to the celebration but also serves as a valuable gift that can be cherished for years to come. In this blog post, we'll explore why using books instead of cards is a fun and creative idea, along with a curated list of baby shower book ideas to inspire your next celebration.
15 Must Buy Books for a Baby Shower
Why Using Books as Baby Shower Gifts vs. Cards is a Fun Creative Idea:
Long-lasting Gift: Unlike cards that may be read once and then set aside, books have the potential to become cherished keepsakes in a child's library. They offer enduring value and can be enjoyed by the child as they grow vs greeting cards that get lost or tossed.
Educational Value: Books provide an opportunity to introduce the baby to the wonderful world of literature from an early age. Whether it's a classic bedtime story or a colorful picture book, each book contributes to the child's cognitive development and imagination.
Personalized Touch: Selecting a book allows guests to add a personal touch to their gift. They can choose a story that holds special meaning to them or one that reflects their relationship with the parents-to-be, making the gift even more meaningful. It will be so sweet to look back on these notes for the unborn baby as they grow.
Building a Library: By opting for baby shower books, guests have the opportunity to contribute to the baby's growing library. Over time, this collection will become a treasure trove of stories, fostering a love for reading and learning.
How to craft a message with a baby shower invitations to ask guests to bring a favorite childhood book option with a sweet message instead of a traditional baby shower card.
Dear [Guest's Name],
We're eagerly anticipating the arrival of our little bundle of joy, and we'd love for you to be a part of the celebration at our upcoming baby shower! As we prepare to welcome our newest family member, we're hoping to build a library filled with love and stories.
In lieu of a traditional card, we kindly ask that you bring a favorite children's book to add to our collection. Whether it's a classic tale or a modern favorite, your chosen book will hold a special place in our hearts and in the heart of our little one.
Please feel free to inscribe a personal message inside the book, sharing your well wishes, advice, or favorite childhood memory. Your thoughtful words will be treasured for years to come as we share these stories with our growing family.
Thank you for helping us create a library of love for our baby!
With warmest regards, [Your Names]
Feel free to customize the message to fit your own personal style and preferences with a editable pdf template in canva or handwrite. This note communicates your request in a warm and welcoming manner, inviting guests to contribute to your baby's growing library while also providing space for them to add a personal touch to their gift.
List of Baby Shower Book Ideas:
I love sharing my love of books and building a library for a new baby and new parents is a wonderful gift. If you are hosting a baby shower, encourage guests to bring a book for baby in lieu of a card with a handwritten note in the cover. Not only will it give baby and parents a great book collection to read for years to come but also a great momento from a loved one or friend. Here are my 15 must buy books for a baby shower gift!
15 Must Buy Favorite Books for a Baby Shower Gift
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On the Night You Were Born
On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, “Life will never be the same.” Because there had never been anyone like you… ever in the world. I know this book by heart and still cannot get through it without crying. Its beautifully written and the illustrations are breathtaking. This book is a must read for all parents to be and parents and babies. It makes a beautiful and heartfelt baby shower gift book.
Love you Forever
"I'll love you forever
I'll like you for always
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be."
This 1986 iconic children’s book has sold over 30 million copies and is a must have in every home around the world. I love giving this book as a baby shower gift because it is a staple for every parent to be or veteran parent to have. No matter what stage of parenting you are in this book is one you will relate and read time and time again. This book comes in board book format as well!
Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You
. . . I wanted you more than you'll ever know,
so I sent love to follow wherever you go. . . .
Love is the greatest gift we have to give our children. It's the one thing they can carry with them each and every day. Nancy Tillman is an author that you cannot miss. Her books are such a gift for new parents and parents to be as a baby shower gift.
I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love
There are things about you quite unlike any other.
Things always known by your father or mother.
So if you decide to be different one day,
no worries… I'd know you anyway.
Every child is special and unique, but every child also loves to dream of being something different. In I'd Know You Anywhere, My Love, bestselling author and artist Nancy Tillman has created another heartfelt masterpiece celebrating the joys of imagination, and the comfort of always knowing that "you are loved." Grab this book as a baby shower gift book or buy the entire Nancy Tillman collection in hardcover or board book format. Either way, this book is the best baby shower book gift you can buy!
I Love You to the Moon and Back
The sun rises, and a bear and cub begin their day together. They splash in the water, climb mountains, watch the colorful lights in the shimmering sky, and play with friends. They show their love for each other by touching noses, chasing each other, and, of course, hugging and snuggling before bed. A sweet, gentle rhyme, perfect for sharing with a special little one that makes a fabulous baby shower gift book.
Just One You
You're strong and you're brave; you're a grand super hero. You give one hundred percent, and never a zero.
Elmo, Big Bird, and all the rest of their friends invite readers into their world in this sweet Sesame Street book, providing a uniquely personal experience that teaches kids how special they truly are. This is a unique baby shower book gift that is a timeless book for a new parent and one your child will love for years to come.
The Wonderful Things You Will Be
When I look at you, and you look at me, I wonder what beautiful things you will be.
From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin's rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. With beautiful, and sometimes humorous, illustrations, and a clever gatefold with kids in costumes, this is a book grown-ups will love reading over and over to kids-both young and old. This book is an amazing option for baby shower book gifts!
If I Could Keep You Little
If I Could Keep You Little speaks straight to your heart, illuminating the tender balance between letting your child grow up and savoring the beauty of right now.
If I could keep you little,
I'd keep you close to me.
But then I'd miss you growing
into who you're meant to be!
Be Brave Little One
Celebrate the courage and bravery in every child with Be Brave Little One. Perfect for cheering someone on, this story affirms how bravery can show up in all different ways!
When I look at you,
shining bright as the sun,
I wish for you this...
be brave little one!
I Love You As Big As the World
Big Bear and Little Bear love each other very much! Their love stretches down to the bottom of the sea, to the top of the highest mountain, and as far away as a star. The two spend the day together exploring the ocean, basking in the warm of the Sun on the beach, climbing a tree, and snuggling close at bedtime.
I Will Always Love You
Join momma giraffe as she tells a sweet story of unconditional love and all the ways she will be there for her child. As baby giraffe grows and embarks on many adventures, momma giraffe consistently tells her to “Remember—I will always love you.”
If Animals Kissed Good Night
What if animals did what YOU do? This bestselling story imagines how animals would kiss their loved ones good night! If animals kissed good night like we do...how would they do it? Giraffe and his calf would stretch their necks high, Wolf and his pup would kiss and then HOWL, and Sloth and her baby would move sooooo sloooowwwww. And across the animal kingdom, every creature would share love in a unique way.
Because You’re Mine
Not just about newborns, Because You're Mine stands as a testament to a parent's protection and support of their child through all ages and stages.
The clouds can blow, the wind can call,
the snow can come, the rain can fall-
but they’ll just have to wait in line . . .
Because you’re mine. Because you’re mine.
You’re All Kinds of Wonderful
We’re not all the same. Thank goodness we’re not.
Life would be boring, and I mean… a lot.
And so, when we’re born, we’re supplied at the start with our own bells and whistles to set us apart. Think of your bells as the things you do best
things tucked away in your own treasure chest.
From different abilities to different personalities, we are all wonderfully made with our own bells and whistles.
God Gave Us You
As Mama bear tucks her youngest cub under the quilts, she gently, tenderly, and reassuringly communicates the message loving parents everywhere (bears and non-bears alike) want their little ones to hear: "We wanted you very, very much, and we are so very glad because—God gave us you."
Perfect for bedtime, naptime, storytime or anytime, God Gave Us You provides a valuable opportunity to build children's self-esteem every day.
As we celebrate the impending arrival of a new bundle of joy, the tradition of baby shower books offers a delightful alternative to traditional cards. Not only do books provide long-lasting value and educational benefits, but they also add a personal touch to the celebration. By curating a collection of beloved stories, guests can contribute to the baby's growing library and create lasting memories for years to come. So, the next time you're invited to a baby shower, consider giving the gift of literature – because a love for reading is one of the greatest gifts we can give to a child.
"Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss
This is a timeless and inspirational book that has captivated readers of all ages since its publication in 1990. Written in Dr. Seuss's signature whimsical style, the book follows the journey of an unnamed protagonist as they set out into the world to explore and discover their place in it.
Throughout the story, the protagonist encounters a series of ups and downs, triumphs and challenges, successes and setbacks. From soaring to great heights to getting stuck in "The Waiting Place," the narrative reflects the highs and lows that come with life's great places and adventures.
Filled with imaginative illustrations and playful rhymes, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" encourages readers to embrace the uncertainties of the future with courage and optimism. Dr. Seuss's trademark wordplay and vibrant artwork add depth and charm to the narrative, making it a joy to read aloud and a delight for the eyes.
Beyond its whimsical storytelling, the book carries a deeper message about the importance of perseverance, resilience, and self-belief. It reminds readers that while life may be unpredictable and full of challenges, every journey is an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
"Oh, the Places You'll Go!" has become a popular gift for graduations, birthdays, and other milestone occasions, celebrated for its universal message of hope and possibility. Its timeless wisdom continues to inspire readers of all ages to embark on their own adventures and embrace the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
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