French books for Babies and Infants
A little while back we asked you when you started reading books with your infant/baby and we were surprised to hear that most of you started right from birth! Reading to your child is important for language development, and sensory play and is also a wonderful bonding experience.
Whether you start reading with your child at birth or months later, it will always be an incredible learning opportunity for your little one.
We have curated a list of our top French books for Babies and Infants along with a few tips for when you are reading with your infant.
Cher zoo by Rod Campbell
A classic favourite lift-the-flap book where a letter is written to the zoo asking for a pet which results in a variety of interesting but unsuitable animals being sent. This is a simple story that everyone is sure to love.
*Tip: Play “Coucou” with all the animals in this book as its a game every baby loves!
Ou est mon hibou? An Usborne book
This comes from a series of books of “Ou est mon…” but we love this one as it includes a stuffed owl which is fun to accompany the book and our song “Coucou Hibou”. This is a great French book for Babies and Infants with its touch and feel pages that discusses different tactile descriptions.
*Tip: Babies love interactive books that they can explore. This book along with some of the others we mention are great for exposing them to different tactile materials.
La chenille qui fait des trous by Eric Carle
This all-time classic picture book has beautiful illustrations and is great for counting practice, learning about different foods, days of the week and of course, the life cycle of a caterpillar.
Bonsoir Lune by Margaret Wise Brown
A bedtime classic featuring rhyming poetry is a great way to say “Goodnight” to your little one.
* Tip: Extend the reading ( and vocabulary) by mimicking the story and say “bonsoir” to some of the things in your child’s room.
Bébé va au marché by Atinuke
A story of a baby and his mother at the market. The baby gets into mischief as he fills Mom’s basket little by little, but always keeping a little something for himself. This charming book has rhythmic narration, lively and colourful illustrations along with a fun story and counting practice!
Avec mon doigt… Coucou! Ou te caches-tu? An Usborne book
Play peek-a-book with monkey, koala, lion and other friendly animals in this adorable book for babies. This book contains sturdy flaps for the animals to hide behind and fingernails and cut-out shapes to explore on every page.
Bébé Koala: mon imagier tout-en-rond: Les couleurs by Nadia Berkane and Alexis Nesme
Each page is a new colour to discover with animals and objects that correspond to it, perfect French book for Babies and Infants.
* Tip: Gather some of your babies favourite toys and match them to the pages in the book to have more fun learning about colours!
Bonne nuit bébé panda by Nathalie Choux
Another great bedtime book! Baby panda doesn’t want to go to bed so he gets up to some silly antics, until mommy panda catches him and gives him a big hug good night.
.
Ne chatouille pas le cochon! An Usborne book
You better not tickle the pig as it just might oink if you do! Lots of soft touchy-feely patches to hear the different farm animals in this great little book. After the pig, cow, sheep and horse have been tickled, they all come together at the end, making their noises along to a well known tune.
*Tip: Another great interactive book for babies to push buttons and explore both auditory and tactile stimuli!
Tika Tika Boum Boum! By Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault
Another classic for your bookshelf! When all the letters of the alphabet race once another up the coconut tree, will there be enough room? This book is excellent at exposing your child to the ABC’s in a fun and rhythmic way!
*Tip: After reading the book, why not sing the ABC’s too!
La journée de bébé by Anne-Sophie Bost
From a very young age, babies love to look at pictures of other babies! In this book, your child will discover a baby’s daily routine! The author has another called: Mon imagier des émotions which is incredible for babies as well.
*Tip: In some of our infant classes we offer a way for you to create your very own book similar to this one with images you upload and simple French phrases that you learned over the course of the class. Your baby will be sure to love their very own baby book!
Au zoo- Coucou! By Anna Milbourne
The zoo comes to life through these interactive pages with life-the flaps, short sentences and charming illustrations. Find it by searching the title in this Usborne catalogue.
Touche à tout bébés animaux by Scholastic
This book (along with a collection of Touche à tout books) offers lots of textured pictures to touch and explore. Pictures are bright and are identified with simple words. They’re also very durable and perfect for infants and tots.
Je t’aime de la tete aux pieds by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak
A toddler and his teddy bear reveal a young child’s happy side, sad side, silly and mad side and more in this affirming declaration of love!
*Tip: Be sure that any of the French books for Babies and Infants you read are board books or have sturdy pages. Your child will want to explore, drool, chew and manipulate the book in many ways!
For an even longer list of books for this age, check out our 123 Amazon wish list here.
Have any recommendations to add to this list? Send me an email at: [email protected]
Looking to support your child’s French even further? Download the free guide or check out our Baby/Tot French course below.
Check out our other blogs
Interview with French Toy Store : My Bulle Toys
“Where can we find French books and French toys for children?” This is a question I get ALL the time. In Canada, we tend to
French Beginner Chapter Books for Kids
Looking for some easy French chapter books for kids? I asked our Instagram community which books “sparked a love of reading” for their child, and
Language Refusal in Children
How can I help my child practice their French if they refuse to speak it with me? Getting children to practice a second language can
Top French Songs for Preschoolers
What are the top French songs for Preschoolers? Educational French songs for are my favourite tool for supporting children with French learning. Why? Music makes
Best French Gifts for Kids
Best Gifts for Kids : A French Gift Guide Whether it be the holiday season, or a birthday, gifts are a great way to allow
Introducing French to your 4-6 yr olds
Introducing French to your 4-6 yr olds Bonjour! We have made this guide in the hopes that it helps you and your 4-6 year olds
123 Petits Pas Inc.
Where parents and children come to learn French together as a hobby!