Black and White Baby Books for Newborns
Newborns can’t detect different shades of light and color yet. Take a look at the best black and white baby books for high-contrast reading.
My newborn son could stare at our vertical blinds all day.
I had noticed that when I would place him on a blanket on the floor, he’d almost always turn his head toward the blinds.
I later learned why.
You see, a new baby’s eyes can’t detect different shades of light and color too well. They can only see distinct contrasts—the bigger the difference, the better they can see. And that arm’s length—about the distance between your baby in your arms and your face—is ideal.
That’s why whenever I placed my son on the floor, he was immediately drawn to the blinds, which looked like bold patterns of black and white simple lines. Go figure!
After I learned that, I sought black and white baby books to include in our reading routine. I wanted to take advantage of these high contrast books to keep him engaged when he was awake and to encourage his visual interest.
Black and white baby books
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And you can do the same with your baby. High contrast black and white baby books are an amazing addition to your library. The bold images offer high contrast illustrations and bold lines he can see better. They’re perfect to read during tummy time, as part of your bedtime routine, or even in the car seat.
Take a look at our favorite black and white books. Many are board books for easy handling, with simple visuals sure to draw a baby’s curiosity, even for young children this age:
Good Morning, Son! by Mr. Mintz
Black Cat & White Cat by Claire Garralon
Hello Animals by Smriti Prasadam
The Baby’s Handbook by Dayna Martin
Hello, Ocean Friends by Violet Lemay
Jane Foster’s Black and White by Jane Foster
Hello, Garden Bugs by Julissa Mora
Hearts and Stars by Chez Picthall
See & Say Book by Manhattan Toy
Baby Animals: Spots & Stripes by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes
Get more tips:
- Top Black and White Toys Your Baby Will See Best
- Burping a Newborn After Breastfeeding: Necessary or Not?
- 5 Ideas to Try with Your Catnapping Baby (They Really Work!)
- 12 Things to Do When Your Newborn Fights Sleep
Free resource: Want even more book ideas? Join my newsletter and get your copy of the Read Aloud Book List! You’ll get hundreds of favorite selections to read aloud with your child. Get it below—at no cost to you: