Our 7 Favourite Sensory Books For Babies

Books are an integral part to our little one's development over the years, and we recommend starting to read books to your little one from the day they are born; they will love the sound and soothing tone of your voice, which they have heard since they were in the womb!

From birth, your baby can see black and white, and by three months, they will be able to focus on high contrast colours, mirrors, or toys. As your baby begins to enjoy the rhythm and flow of the day—from feeding to sleeping—you can make reading books together an enjoyable part of your day!

Books at this age won't be anything like our 'standard' books, but, will be packed with sensory developmental features, which make them better! From high contrast colours, to touch-able sensory details, mirrors, sliders and so much more!

So, here's a list of our favourite 7 Sensory Books that we really like and your newborn baby will absolutely love to play with and develop from:

1. Sensory Activity Cloth Book by Priya and Peanut

We love this award-winning book because it’s practical and versatile! You can carry it around the house for fun changing times, strap it in the carry cot for ‘on-the-go’ sensory experiences, or lay the book down in front of your baby to encourage relaxing and enjoyable tummy time play!

The high contrast colours stimulate and develop your baby’s eyes and brain. One side is black and white (great for birth and up), while the other is full of colour to engage your baby when they are a little older. This book also has a wide range of activities such as glittery stars, an umbrella flap, cloud ribbons, a fun mirror, and crinkle sounds throughout, perfect for encouraging your baby to touch and feel.

2. My First Busy Book by Eric Carle

Another must-have is My First Busy Book by the much-loved Eric Carle. It is filled with bright, colourful artwork and jam-packed with activities to keep little hands busy!

Each page features a different concept, including numbers, shapes, colours, animals, and sounds. With a mirror, glitter, flaps, and touch-and-feel elements, this is a perfect addition to your little one’s bookshelf.

3. Garden Tails by Jellycat

Let your little baby get to know the garden with this delightful Garden Tails book by Jellycat. Each page introduces a different animal or insect with colourful illustrations and textures to aid your baby’s sensory development. Plus, it includes a loop to attach to a buggy or car seat, making it great for parents on the go!

4. Wonders of the Sea Baby’s First Sensory Soft Book

This Wonders of the Sea Baby's First Sensory Soft Book by Sunflower Seedling will engage and stimulate your baby’s senses. Shaped like a fish, it includes a squeaker for a head, crinkle pages inside, and a soft textured tail. The high contrast illustrations will captivate your baby, supporting visual and cognitive development.

5. My First Sensory Board Book by Priya and Peanut

We also recommend the My First Sensory Board Book by Priya and Peanut. Introduce your baby to the magic of sensory play with high contrast black-and-white images. Your baby will love to track the different animals and objects while also getting excited about the foil and colour placements, helping to develop their vision.

6. Peekaboo Baby by Nosy Crow

The Nosy Crow ‘Peekaboo’ series is a hit with babies! Peekaboo Baby has easy-to-use peekaboo sliders and funny rhyming text, with a surprise mirror ending. With 10 smooth mechanisms to push, pull, or turn on every page, it’s a fun-packed read your baby will want to enjoy over and over again.

7. That’s Not My Llama by Usborne

Another gem is the award-winning That’s Not My Llama from the popular 'That’s Not My...' series. Your baby will love the bold illustrations, sensory touch patches, and spotting the little mouse on every page. It’s a fun way to develop sensory and language awareness.

We hope you enjoyed our list and that reading becomes an enjoyable part of your day, bonding with your little one 😊

P and P xx