6 Books to Make You the Belle of the Baby Shower

Art for Baby, by Various Artists
This board book proves that it’s never to early to introduce your baby to great contemporary art! The bold black and white illustrations from artists like Keith Haring and Damien Hirst will have your budding Picasso asking for a MoMa membership before you know it.

NOPE!, by Drew Sheneman
Although there is something wonderfully nostalgic about giving a gift that the mother may have read when she was a little girl, it’s also nice to give a new release that parent and child can read and discover together for the first time. This contemporary book is filled with brightly colored illustrations by cartoonist Drew Sheneman that are sure to capture the imagination, and a sweet story about a bird who is not quite ready to leave the nest. It’s amazing how much story can be told with so few words!

The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep: A New Way of Getting Children to Sleep, by Carl-Johan Forssen Ehrlin and Irina Maununen
One thing every new parent needs more of is sleep, and this best-selling book by a Swedish psychologist is quite the baby whisperer! I have friends who swear this meditative read gets their sleep-averse children dreaming in minutes. Seems like it’s worth a try!

Go the F**k to Sleep, by Adam Mansbach and Ricardo Cortes 
This book is clearly for the parents, and not to be read to new babies! A hilarious picture book that is sure to bring much needed laughs during those inevitable sleep deprived nights. It’s a good reminder for new parents that they are not alone in having a hard time getting their kids to go to sleep, even though in the wee hours of the night it may feel that way.

Baby’s First Year: Memories For Life, by Annabel Karmel
There are so many wonderful “firsts” that happen when you have a baby (first smile, first steps), and this lovely book is a beautiful way to record them for posterity. In our digital world, it’s nice to gift an actual photo books for families to flip through, instead of scrolling through pics on their phone.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
This awesome book is a modern and feminist way to tell bedtime stories. Filled with stories of 100 trailblazing women (like Malala Yousafzai and Serena Williams), and illustrated by great female artists, this one makes for an inspiring read. Baby girl power!