Home
>
Blog
>
Gift Ideas

The 12 children’s books every baby shower registry needs

A collage of children's books.

If there’s one gift a parent and child will remember years after the baby shower, it’s a good book. The beauty of a great book is that it never gets old. So many stories resonate across generations, bonding us together in a shared appreciation of the books that influenced our childhoods and helped shape who we became. There are innumerable incredible children’s books out there, but these are the ones we recommend starting your little one’s library with first. See any you loved as a child?

“Goodnight Moon”

Cover of "Goodnight Moon."

Margaret Wise Brown (Author), Clement Hurd (Illustrator)

Readers (and little listeners!) are taken on a wondrous journey as a  bunny bids farewell to various objects before falling asleep. The book's narrative is told in a simple yet captivating style, complete with rhyming couplets and delightful illustrations sure to become an oft-requested favorite at bedtime!

“Madeline”

Cover of "Madeline."

Ludwig Bemelmans (Author)

This beloved children's book follows the adventures of a spirited young girl living in a Parisian boarding school. With its charming illustrations of Paris, tenacious title character and rhythmic prose, the book continues to capture the hearts of readers. 

“Make Way for Ducklings”

Cover of "Make Way for Ducklings."

Robert McCloskey (Author)

This classic story follows the journey of a family of ducks as they navigate the bustling city of Boston. As they waddle through busy streets and parks, the ducks capture the hearts of all who encounter them, and their perseverance pays off in the end (if you're familiar with Boston, you likely know where they make their home)!

“Where the Wild Things Are”

Cover of "Where the Wild Things Are."

Maurice Sendak (Author, Illustrator)

The story of a mischievous boy named Max whose imagination runs wild and transports him to a magical land where he becomes king of a group of fantastical creatures has transfixed readers for generations. This tale of rebellion and homesickness is perfect for reminding little ones that no matter what, their family will always be there for them.

“She Persisted”

Cover of "She Persisted."

Chelsea Clinton (Author), Alexandra Boiger (Illustrator)

Published in 2017 but already a favorite on the baby shower gift scene, this powerful children's book tells the inspiring stories of thirteen women who overcame adversity and achieved great things. It also serves as a reminder to readers/listeners that, no matter what obstacles they encounter, they too can persevere and make a difference in the world.

“Corduroy”

Cover of "Corduroy."

Don Freeman (Author)

Having a loving home is something everyone yearns for—even a teddy bear named Corduroy who lives in a department store! When a young girl decides to find a way to bring Corduroy home, Corduroy goes on a wild and whimsical adventure.

“Hair Love”

Cover of "Hair Love."

Matthew A. Cherry (Author), Vashti Harrison (Illustrator)

Well-known for its Academy Award-winner short film adaptation, "Hair Love" is about a father helping his young daughter style her hair before a special occasion. In addition to a heartwarming storyline, this thoughtful book encourages everyone to embrace their natural beauty.

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar”

Cover of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."

Eric Carle (Author)

If you don't know this book, buy yourself a copy and see why it's sold 50 million+ copies worldwide. Brilliant artwork and interactive features teach children all about the life cycle of a butterfly (along with different foods and counting)!

“Mr. Men” and “Little Miss” Books

Image of the "Mr. Men" and "Little Miss" box collection of 48 books.

Roger Hargreaves (Author)

One of these instantly recognizable books simply isn't enough! A colorful cast of characters displays distinct personalities and traits, offering readers a fun way to learn about positive values and recognize different traits in themselves and others.

“Singing/Cantando de Colores” from Lil’ Libros

Cover of "Singing/Cantatando de Colores."

Patty Rodriguez (Author), Ariana Stein (Author), Citlali Reyes (Illustrator)

Inspired by the traditional Mexican folk song "De Colores," this book follows a group of animals as they sing and dance their way through a vibrant garden, celebrating the beauty of nature and diversity of life. Presented in both English and Spanish, the text of this book (and all Lil' Libros books) encourages children to celebrate different cultural heritages. 

“The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh”

Cover of "The Compete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh."

A. A. Milne (Author), Ernest H. Shepard (Illustrator)

Humorous and charming, this sweet-as-honey book features themes of friendship, imagination, and the simple joys of life as experienced by Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and Rabbit in the Hundred Acre Wood. Truly a classic!

“The Poky Little Puppy”

Cover of "The Poky Little Puppy."

Janette Sebring Lowrey (Author), Gustaf Tenggren (Illustrator)

Every child needs to experience the magic of a Little Golden Book, and this one might just be the most iconic! After all, who doesn't love a curious, independent little puppy who always lags behind his siblings and explores the world at his own pace?

Want to discover even more baby shower book faves? Check out our curated list of the top ones on Amazon.

All of the products we feature are hand-selected by our editors! You see only what we love and what we think you'll love too. If you buy something through links on our site, Evite may earn a commission.

No items found.

No items found.

No items found.

No items found.

No items found.

No items found.

No items found.

All of the products we feature are hand-selected by our editors! You see only what we love and what we think you'll love too. If you buy something through links on our site, Evite may earn a commission. Prices are subject to change.

No items found.

No items found.

What makes Evite SignUp Sheets different from SignUpGenius?

Developed hand-in-hand with community organizers, PTA presidents, parents and teachers, Evite's signup sheets are designed to make organizing volunteers a breeze. Here are a few ways SignUp Sheets are different than SignUpGenius:

  • 100% free: SignUp Sheets are free to use.
  • Ad-free: No popup ads ever! Our signup sheets remain clutter-free, keeping your volunteers focused on signing up.
  • No extra login required: Seamlessly use your Evite account to create and manage your signup sheets, keeping all your events in one convenient location.
  • Automatic reminders and notifications: Stay on top of your event with automated reminders and notifications for you and your participants. Perfect for busy parents, teachers and anyone juggling multiple commitments.
  • Customization options: Tailor your signup sheets to your specific event, whether it's a school fundraiser, potluck, volunteer opportunity or team activity. Add custom tasks, time slots and requirements for smooth coordination.
  • User-friendly experience: Our intuitive interface makes creating and sharing signup sheets simple for everyone, regardless of tech experience.
  • Real-time updates: Get instant notifications whenever someone signs up or makes a change, so you always know where things stand.

Choose Evite SignUp Sheets for the easiest, most streamlined way to get volunteers and signups for your next event!

What is a signup sheet?

Signup sheets are the perfect way to streamline scheduling, volunteer recruitment, class parties, snack duty, potluck organization, parent-teacher conferences and more! You can think of them as your digital assistant for coordinating events and tasks and ensuring that your event is a success.

Evite SignUp Sheets offers parents, teachers and event planners customizable online forms that organizers and volunteers can access and update effortlessly. Volunteers can choose their preferred time slots, sign up for tasks or indicate what they'll bring to the event. It only takes organizers a few minutes to create a signup sheet and send it out with a shareable link, so they can get the word out via text, email or social media—whichever way they prefer! 

Long story short, signup sheets save everyone involved tons of time, avoid scheduling headaches and ensure everything runs smoothly before and during the event.

How do I create a signup sheet?

Creating a signup sheet has never been easier than with Evite! Here’s how to create a sheet that’s sure to make your event an absolute success:

  1. Go to Evite SignUp Sheets and choose the template that best fits your needs. Evite offers multiple signup sheet templates perfect for every occasion, including:some text
    • Signup sheets for standalone events (without different time slots), perfect for when you’re organizing a class party, potluck or end-of-season party.
    • Signup sheets for recurring or multi-day events (without different time slots), perfect for when you’re organizing a meal train, post-game snack duty or during appreciation week.
    • Signup sheets for single or multiple day events (with time slots), perfect for when you’re organizing concession stand volunteers, fundraisers and parent-teacher conferences.
  1. After selecting your sheet template, create a title for your signup sheet and add the date, the location, the time (if applicable), who the organizer is, the organizer’s phone number or email and an optional note describing the event to your volunteers. You can also change your signup sheet background and title image if you wish!
  1. Next, create slots for your signup sheet. If you aren’t logged into your account, you will need to do so at this point, but luckily, you can use your existing Evite account (no need to create yet another login!). What you’ll include here will depend on what your event needs, but you can include a list of what’s needed (along with optional descriptions), how many volunteers are needed, and dates and times.
  1. After creating your slots, you can then add a wish list from any retailer or include supply suggestions from Evite’s retailer partners. These are to help your volunteers find and purchase supplies quickly and easily.
  1. Finally, review your sheet, copy your shareable link and send it out to everyone on your list! Every time a volunteer signs up for a slot on your signup sheet, Evite will email you. We will also send reminders to you and your volunteers before your event so no one will forget about it, and we’ll even let volunteers know if you remove their slot or cancel your event sheet so you don’t have to!

What information should be included on a signup sheet?

When it comes to signup sheet information, there are some essentials to include regardless of what you’re organizing:

  1. A title for your signup sheet. Tip: Aim to keep your signup sheet title concise but clear. You want volunteers to read it and have a general understanding of what your event is about, and also make it easy for them to look for later if they need to reference your sheet again. You have the option to include a more descriptive note in a different field about your event, so save the more in-depth details for that!
  1. When and where the event is taking place. 
  1. The organizer’s name and phone number.
  1. Slots for volunteers to choose from. Once you choose the SignUp Sheets template that fits the occasion, the slots you’ll need for your sheet will be right there and ready for you to add the relevant info, such as dates, times, items to bring and tasks to complete. 

When adding your slot information, clearly define what people are signing up for, especially for a what-to-bring list or role assignments. If you want someone to bring healthy snacks for kids to enjoy after a game, specify that. You want your volunteers to feel confident in what they’re bringing and to make it easy for them to know what’s expected of them. It will save them time and stress (and you, too!). That being said, if you make your ask too specific (for example, asking for a hard-to-source item or something expensive), you may not end up with a volunteer for it. So be clear about what you expect, but also be reasonable!

Aside from providing the basic signup information, you can also add optional descriptions to both your entire signup sheet and individual slots. While not required, they can help guide your volunteers further and provide more information. You can add information about allergies, preferences and general info about the event. You can also add a wish list to make it easier for your volunteers to bring exactly what you need!

What are the benefits of using a signup sheet template?

Signup sheet templates offer a ton of advantages for both organizers and volunteers and with Evite SignUp Sheets, you'll enjoy even more benefits than other digital and paper signup sheets! Some benefits our signup sheet templates offer include:

  • A 100% free experience (no subscriptions required!).
  • Shareable links for quick and easy sharing.
  • No need to create another login—you can use your existing Evite account.
  • The option to add a wish list to help your volunteers out.
  • Automatic reminders—we’ll remind everyone on your behalf.
  • An easy-to-use experience with eye-catching guided templates.
  • Clean, modern designs with no pop-up ads.

With Evite SignUp Sheets, you can enjoy organizing and coordinating all your events with ease. Signup sheets streamline the signup process for everyone involved, ensuring that everything will go to plan on the day of your event while saving you precious time in the process.

View More Articles

View All