The best books to give at a baby shower

By Kara Michelle Liu

Who am I?

I am a mom who always dreamed of becoming a writer, but was too scared to try until I met my baby. The overwhelming urge to express my love for her in what I have always considered the most sacred way, through writing, became too much to contain. I wanted to create a meaningful experience not only for my child, but for all children; one where they could be nestled in their parents’ arms, engaged in the most significant pastime, and where they could understand for the first time how much they were loved from the very beginning.

I wrote...

When You Were in My Belly

By Kara Michelle Liu, Hanji Kim

When You Were in My Belly

What is my book about?

When You Were in My Belly shares the story of three families as they prepare for the arrival of their new baby. Through each activity, whether it is deliberating over the namesake or selecting the perfect crib, each family can barely contain their excitement. Somewhere between the sound of the heartbeat at the doctor’s office and each felt movement in the belly, the parents are spellbound and know their lives will never be the same. It is the universal story of parental love, evident from the very beginning.

When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.

The Books I Picked & Why

The Good Sleeper: The Essential Guide to Sleep for Your Baby (and You)

By Janet Krone Kennedy

The Good Sleeper: The Essential Guide to Sleep for Your Baby (and You)

Why this book?

The Good Sleeper was recommended to me by a mom in my neighborhood who instantly noticed that I was struggling with my new role. While my daughter was keeping me up most of the night, her baby was actually sleeping for sustained periods of time in his crib. Sure enough, after reading this book, I was finally able to understand the science behind what was happening with my baby and how I could best meet her needs. I read and reread each chapter as I tried the strategies until I found the right ones for my child. It’s no exaggeration to say that getting sleep changed my world! Pass this book along and give a new parent the gift of sleep.

Buy this book at:
Bookshop.org
Amazon

When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.

On the Night You Were Born

By Nancy Tillman

On the Night You Were Born

Why this book?

As parents, we want our children to somehow fathom the immensity of our love and carry it with them throughout their lives. Each time I read this book to my child as a baby and especially now as a three-year-old, I feel like I am able to convey how special she is and how the world was never the same after the day she was born. The beautiful language selected is captivating for the listener and the message so pithy, that I find myself expressing many of the lines in a mere whisper.

Buy this book at:
Bookshop.org
Amazon

When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.

Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide

By Gill Rapley, Tracey Murkett

Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide

Why this book?

While baby-led weaning can be a little out of the ordinary and is definitely not right for every child, this book is an interesting read for a new parent. Coming from an early childhood background in education, I was fascinated by the prospect of my child being able to essentially play with her food while activating her five senses and honing her fine motor skills all at the same time. The book helped me to understand how to slowly introduce new foods while babies naturally wean off of milk. Best of all, as a family, we ate healthier as a result!

Let’s face it, Baby-led Weaning is not for everyone, but just think of the freedom that you could be potentially providing since your friend could be completely avoiding spoon-feeding and purchasing canned baby food.

Buy this book at:
Bookshop.org
Amazon

When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.

Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right

By Jamie Glowacki

Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right

Why this book?

I know, I know – potty training might seem a long time off, but before your expecting friend knows it, the need to begin potty training will be upon them, and trust me it is not for the faint of heart. What better way to face potty training than to laugh through each chapter of this hilarious, brilliant book? With the six-step process shared in the book, we were easily able to get our daughter ready for daycare in plenty of time. So tell your friend to set it aside and believe me they will thank you later.

Buy this book at:
Bookshop.org
Amazon

When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

By Joanna Ho, Dung Ho

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

Why this book?

This all-around stunning picture book is representative of the last type of book that I believe to be the most meaningful to give at a baby shower. Find a book, whether it was planned to be read to a baby or not, that focuses at the heart of what is special about the baby and provides a great way to celebrate the baby’s uniqueness throughout their life.

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners is a revolutionary text that celebrates the beautiful shape of the character’s eyes, her incredible familial bond, and the story of her ancestors. As long as the book touches the parent’s soul, then the book will be read and reread countless times to their child, and what better gift is there than that?