Special book for newborn grandchild

Goatblu · 2025-11-28T22:38:37+00:00

Can anyone recommend a book I could get for a new baby? I'd like something a bit special that can be looked at over the years. I spent an hour in Waterstones earlier and left with nothing so I'd appreciate some suggestions.

mayflowers9 · 01/02/2026 19:38

Maybe a collection of fairytales that is beautifully illustrated?

MrsFionaCharming · 01/02/2026 19:28

I always give new babies a copy of 10 Little Fingers.

bookmarket · 01/02/2026 19:22

Lemondrizzle4A · 24/01/2026 12:52

Each peach pear plum by Janet and Alan Ahlberg. Absolute classic. A mixture of nursery rhymes and fairy tales.
it starts:
Each peach, pear plum
I spy Tom Thumb,
Tom Thumb in the cupboard
I spy Mother Hubbard.
Mother Hubbard on the stairs
I spy the three bears …
illustration are as always superb. Lots for children to spot and also to join in with.
you can buy as a board book or paperback.

This was going to be my suggestion also. Such a lovely book to read to a baby.

For a later on book, Winner the Pooh.

FuzzyWolf · 01/02/2026 19:15

Instead, you could chat to the parents about creating your own book for him that contains pictures and information of his first year.

AutumnClouds · 01/02/2026 19:13

‘Welcome to the world’ is very sweet

toastofthetown · 01/02/2026 19:12

I was also going to suggest something from Wonderbly. We ready our Bedtime for [Name] every night before bed and you can add a personalised dedication too.

Is there a Little People Big Dreams book with someone you/they look up to? We love the series.

And for something a bit more funny, the funniest baby book we have is I Want My Hat Back. We got it as a gift from family and while it’s not as obviously sentimental as some other baby books it’s a brilliant book and I’m sure will be loved for years.

Whatever you get, I’d write a personalised message in there. I love books which people have written in and they have sentimental value beyond just the books

mismomary · 31/01/2026 22:49

Goodnight moon

Buttons0522 · 31/01/2026 22:43

Something personalised from wonderbly.com
My children are getting older and still love reading their special stories!

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 31/01/2026 22:35

Oh the places you’ll go by dr Seuss
guess how much I love you
Peter rabbit collection
the velveteen rabbit

Grimacingface · 31/01/2026 21:45

‘I am the seed that grew the tree’ is an anthology of nature poems with the most beautiful illustrations. It makes a gorgeous gift and there is a follow up with animal poems, called ‘Tiger tiger burning bright’. I prefer the first one, but they are both lovely.

Rocknrollstar · 31/01/2026 21:38

Buy something they will read when they are older. I usually give a nice version of Alice in Wonderland as a christening gift.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 31/01/2026 21:30

Know this is a bit old but if you need another, look at the wonderbly website. The nursery rhyme book is especially great

BestZebbie · 24/01/2026 23:59

Traditionally the Bible! But “oh the places that you’ll go” is popular now for babies and graduates.

Lemondrizzle4A · 24/01/2026 12:52

Each peach pear plum by Janet and Alan Ahlberg. Absolute classic. A mixture of nursery rhymes and fairy tales.
it starts:
Each peach, pear plum
I spy Tom Thumb,
Tom Thumb in the cupboard
I spy Mother Hubbard.
Mother Hubbard on the stairs
I spy the three bears …
illustration are as always superb. Lots for children to spot and also to join in with.
you can buy as a board book or paperback.

TootsMaHoots · 29/11/2025 12:15

I’d go for something with beautiful illustrations then. It’s a good idea to look on The Folio society website like @ThinIceSkatersuggested. They have lovely books.

Original poster

Goatblu · 29/11/2025 09:48

The parents already have books that were special to them as children and I can't remember what I really enjoyed @TootsMaHoots - quite sad about that.

I did look at The boy, the fox @Nopayrise but couldn't decide if it was suitable.

Some great suggestions here, thank you.

OP posts:

Obeseandashamed · 28/11/2025 23:46

ButtonMoonLoon · 28/11/2025 22:54

I absolutely love this book

www.amazon.co.uk/Wonderful-Things-You-Will-Be/dp/0241446953

Ditto this book!

TootsMaHoots · 28/11/2025 23:42

I would choose a book that means something to you, his grandparent. I’d far rather give a book that meant something to me and that I could read with him than something I had no connection to.

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 28/11/2025 23:27

Nancy Tilman has some lovely gift books

Nopayrise · 28/11/2025 23:26

The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse

peoplegetready · 28/11/2025 23:23

RaraRachael · 28/11/2025 22:50

I got one for my grandson called On the Day You Were Born. Sorry can't remember the author.

Second this one. Lovely book

Original poster

Goatblu · 28/11/2025 23:20

Thank you. I'll look into all of these tomorrow.

OP posts:

Sgtmajormummy · 28/11/2025 22:57

A box set like Beatrix Potter, Classic Winnie the Pooh or Mr Men/Little Miss.
A Child’s Garden of Verse is another classic.
Did the parents like Harry Potter growing up? There are illustrated versions now.

Mailys · 28/11/2025 22:57

Peepo by Janet & Allan Ahlberg .

IggyAce · 28/11/2025 22:56

Oh the places you’ll go.