Here are some free, short stories that you can read to a baby. These stories are simple, gentle, and perfect for young children:
1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
This classic story follows the journey of a tiny caterpillar as it eats its way through various foods before transforming into a beautiful butterfly. It’s a great choice for babies due to its rhythmic text and colorful illustrations.
2. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
A soothing bedtime story where a little bunny says goodnight to various objects in his room. Its gentle repetition and simple language make it a great read for babies.
3. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
This repetitive, rhythmic book features colorful animals and simple questions. It’s engaging for young children and helps with color and animal recognition.
4. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
A charming story about a young boy named Peter exploring the snow on a winter day. The story is simple and filled with gentle moments that young children will love.
5. Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill
A simple lift-the-flap book where children look for the character Spot the dog. It’s interactive and encourages engagement with its straightforward text and illustrations.
6. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
A sweet and tender story about Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare, expressing their love for one another. This gentle story is perfect for bedtime.
7. Hug by Jez Alborough
A delightful story about a little bear who is looking for a hug. The gentle narrative and warm illustrations are comforting and ideal for babies.
These stories are all wonderful for babies, focusing on simple language, repetition, and themes of love, nature, and discovery. Many of them are available for free at your local library or as public domain resources online.
