Baby Shower Presents

For some reason, there have been a ton of people in the store lately buying baby shower presents. So, I just wanted to give everyone a few suggestions so I can stop wrestling that copy of Goodnight Moon out of your hands. Yes. It’s a classic. And the happy parents(s) will receive at least five copies. Please, don’t be the person who makes a prospective parent come into my store with three copies of Margaret Wise Brown’s most famous picture book under their arm. (Also, as a side note, please stop making us cut out or put a sticker over the price. 1) They know how much books cost. 2) It makes it much harder for them to return the ones they don’t want or got extras of and it’s not personal like inscribing the book would be.)

So, I’ve denied you a beloved classic. What can you give your expectant friends?

Different classics!

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McClosky
This is another classic, but it isn’t given nearly as often. It’s adorable and has enough content that the parents won’t go crazy reading it over and over again. Also, who can resist a story about ducklings getting an escort through town?

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Little Nut Brown Hare keeps coming up with bigger and bigger examples of how much he loves Big Nut Brown Hare, but Big Nut Brown Hare always loves him just a little bit more until they love each other to the moon. And back.

Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
Harry hates baths. He hates baths so much that he turns into a dog is family can’t even recognize!

Or, if you’re in the mood to try something new:

Gossie by Oliver Dunrea
Gossie is a gosling who wears bright red boots. One day she can’t find one of the boots. This leads to a quest at the end of which she finds her boot and a new friend.
There is an entire series of these books, so you are sure to be able to find one that fits your style. Also, these are all board books, so they’re a bit sturdier than the average picture book.

Thank You Bear by Greg Foley
Bear is trying to find the perfect present for his best friend, Mouse. But nothing is right. He asks advice from several other animals, but none of them manage to help him. Finally, he settles on something. Mouse, however, tells him that no matter what it is it will be perfect because it came from his friend.
Like the Gossie and Friends series, there are many Bear books to choose from. The illustrations are precious and the content is always sweet.

The Indestructibles Series
These books are made out of crazy space fiber (not really. It’s “a synthetic material made from flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers”) and are chew proof, waterproof, and tear-resistant. If they get sticky you can just put them in the tub with the baby!
They’re also pretty. Most of the books are wordless, but that gives you plenty of leeway to tell a story you’re interested in. And then there are the nursery rhyme books. Humpty-Dumpty is set in China. Mary Had a Little Lamb is in Africa. Hey Diddle-Diddle is in New Orleans, and Old MacDonald is in Peru!

Hopefully, this will give you a few new go-to books for those last minute baby gifts. What books do you like to give new parents?