Table of Contents

7 Best Books to Read to Baby in the Womb (2025 Reviews)

pregnant woman with child
seen in: national geographic, cnn, travel + leisure, new york times
the guardian, lonely planet, usa today, forbes
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We all know that reading to your child is extremely important. However, many new parents are unaware that you can begin this routine as soon as your little one is in the womb! While your infant might not be following any storylines just yet, the act of reading aloud to your baby has a host of benefits. At around 27 weeks gestation, your baby will be able to hear the sounds outside of the womb. Research has shown that reading to your infant while still in utero can help promote brain activity and encourage overall literacy and language development. Your baby will begin to recognize your voice the more you read and sing to him or her. Doing so can also help foster a bond between you and your unborn child.

If you’re not sure where to begin, this selection of baby books to read to your baby in the womb is the perfect place to start. From heartfelt poetry to humorous anecdotes, these books will guide your earliest interactions with your littlest pride and joy.

The Best Books to Read to Baby in the Womb

  • 1. The Wonderful Things You Will Be

    (Best giftable option — $)

    Why it’s great: The Wonderful Things You Will Be is a New York Times Bestseller that cherishes and celebrates all the love and pride parents have for their children. Written in a rhythmic rhyme with beautiful, thoughtful illustrations, this is the perfect gift for parents-to-be. The loving and endearing message of this book will carry you and your little one in the womb, through infancy, and beyond.

    Keep in mind: The thoughtfulness and heartfelt message of this story is tailored more towards parents and caregivers and thus may not be as meaningful to your little one in babyhood and toddlerhood.

    Good for: Friends and family looking for a thoughtful and charming book to give to new parents and parents-to-be.

    The Wonderful Things You Will Be

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 2. Hello in There! Poetry to Read to the Unborn Baby

    (Best poetry book — $)

    Why it’s great: As a beautiful way for parents and siblings alike to share with their unborn little one, Hello in There! Poetry to Read to the Unborn Baby offers uplifting, poignant, and soothing poetry to read aloud. Designed as a beautiful keepsake for your baby, this book of poems is fun and enjoyable to read. Parents and caregivers can opt to read a poem a day to establish a love of literacy even before their child arrives.

    Keep in mind: The poems range in style and topic thus some poems may speak to you more than others due to personal taste and preference.

    Good for: Parents looking to introduce their unborn baby to poetry from early on.

    Hello in There! Poetry to Read to the Unborn Baby

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Can’t Wait to Show You Belly Book: A Celebration for Mother’s-to-Be to Read to Baby Before Birth

    (Best book for pregnant women — $)

    Why it’s great: This especially curved book is designed to fit around a new mother’s growing bump. Intended to be read while your infant is in the womb, Can’t Wait to Show You Belly Book: A Celebration for Mother’s-to-Be to Read to Baby Before Birth celebrated all there is to look forward to after birth. Written with moms in mind, this works well as a gift for women awaiting the birth of their child.

    Keep in mind: This book is written for moms directly, so may not be the best fit for parents or people who are not physically carrying their children.

    Good for: Mothers-to-be who are physically pregnant with their child.

    Can’t Wait to Show You Belly Book: A Celebration for Mother’s-to-Be to Read to Baby Before Birth

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. Oh, Baby, the Places, You’ll Go

    (Best rhyme book — $)

    Why it’s great: Modeled after Dr. Suess’s enchanting rhyming schemes, Oh, Baby, the Places, You’ll Go is a fun and quirky story to read to your unborn child. This book shares the joys and highlights awaiting newborns once they join the world. Audrey Geisel, the wife of Dr. Suess, writes in the introduction the amazement of babies being able to hear in the womb, detailing how the context is designed to be read right from the beginning.

    Keep in mind: This book is written with Dr. Suess’s style in mind, but was not written by Theodore Geisel himself.

    Good for: Parents who have nostalgia for Dr. Suess and enjoy reading in rhyme.

    Oh, Baby, the Places, You’ll Go

    View on Amazon.com ➜

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  • 5. Be Brave Little One

    (Best illustrations — $)

    Why it’s great: Written to celebrate the courage of a little one, Be Brave Little One shares how bravery appears in different ways. The thoughtful message is perfect for parents going through a challenging time awaiting their child, such as those enduring high-risk pregnancies. The gorgeous illustrations make this book a keepsake to read over and over again, even after baby’s arrival.

    Keep in mind: The book takes on a slightly religious undertone that aligns with some parents and not others.

    Good for: Parents going through challenging pregnancy and would benefit from a beautiful book to treasure.

    Be Brave Little One

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 6. Ma! There’s Nothing to Do Here! A Word from your Baby-in-Waiting

    (Best humorous book — $$)

    Why it’s great: Ma! There’s Nothing to Do Here! A Word from your Baby-in-Waiting is a hilarious picture book about a bay fighting boredom while in utero. The perfect read for the mom-to-be with a sense of humor, this book is sure to bring both parents a chuckle. The anticipation builds in the story as baby is anticipating arrival day, making this a fun read while awaiting your infant’s birth.

    Keep in mind: Some readers found the illustrations in this book to lack diversity.

    Good for: Parents with a sense of humor.

    Ma! There’s Nothing to Do Here! A Word from your Baby-in-Waiting

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. I Love You to the Moon and Back

    (Best baby shower gift book — $)

    Why it’s great: With a personalization page, I Love You to the Moon and Back is the perfect giftable book for parents-to-be. With a charming, gentle rhyme, this story tells of all the ways to love one another. Sharing the adventure of a bear and her cub, this story is sure to be loved by your little one while in utero and after birth.

    Keep in mind: This book is available in both a hardcover and a board book, so the price point may vary depending on your preference.

    Good for: Family and friends looking for a book to give to parents-to-be.

    I Love You to the Moon and Back

    View on Amazon.com ➜

Best Overall

The Wonderful Things You Will Be

The The Wonderful Things You Will Be is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..

The Wonderful Things You Will Be

View on Amazon.com ➜

FAQs about Books to Read to Baby in the Womb

  • 1. Why should parents read to their babies in the womb?

    Parents should read to their babies in the womb because it encourages your infant to recognize your voice as well as begin the bonding experience between parent and baby. Reading to your baby can also help foster early language skills and literacy development. Reading aloud can also help reduce stress and anxiety of the mother and help remain calm and at peace throughout pregnancy.

  • 2. What type of book should I read to my baby in the womb?

    When choosing a book to read to your baby in the womb, find literature that speaks to you and your interests. After all, you want the experience of reading aloud to be authentic rather than forced. Whether you opt for a sweet nursery rhyme or a helpful book full of advice, if you’re enjoying the story, your little one will too.

  • 3. How often should I read to my baby while in the womb?

    When reading to your little one in the womb, you should begin with the amount of time that is comfortable and enjoyable for you so as not to ruin the experience for you. Any amount of time reading to your infant is beneficial, whether that’s ten minutes or an hour.

  • 4. Which book is best to give to new parents?

    When looking to give a baby book to new parents, choose a book that caters to their interests and personality types. A sweet story with thoughtful moments about their journey into parenthood is always an excellent choice. Parents with a sense of humor might enjoy a more humorous book about their new impending adventure. Better yet, a collection of a few books across various genres is sure to be a hit.

  • 5. Can I continue to read these books to my baby once he or she is born?

    The endearing stories and thoughtful books will continue to serve you and your little one long after his or her birth. Investing in these baby books will extend beyond the womb and through their infancy and childhood.

Conclusion

Reading to your baby in the womb is not only a great way to begin your bond, but also shows language and literacy developments later on in life. With a number of books designed to introduce literacy to the littlest of people, this selection of baby books to read to your baby while in the womb is sure to fit exactly what you’re looking for. Not only are they perfect to read to your own little one, but they also make a beautiful and thoughtful gift for new parents-to-be.