[For 1-year-olds] Perfect for March! A special selection of picture books recommended for 1-year-olds

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

March is the grand wrap-up of the school year.

For children in the 1-year-old class, preparations to move up to the 2-year-old class start in earnest.

It’s also the time when they gradually begin tackling things like changing clothes and using the toilet on their own.

For such a March, why not choose picture books that 1-year-olds can thoroughly enjoy?

We’ll introduce picture books packed with children’s feelings—like happy, fun, and “What’s that?”

The children might show interest and express themselves by pointing or chatting.

I’m excited to see how they’ll react.

For 1-year-olds: Picture books to read in March! Recommended picks for 1-year-olds (1–10)

It’s a strawberry.Makoto Kawabata

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Let me introduce the picture book “It’s a Strawberry,” perfect for children who love strawberries.

Strawberries are red, sweet, and easy to eat since you don’t have to peel them.

I think many kids like them.

This picture book is packed with adorable strawberries, and when you finish reading, you’ll feel like eating some! If your child isn’t a fan of strawberries, there are sister titles like “It’s a Banana” and “It’s an Apple,” so be sure to pick a picture book featuring their favorite fruit!

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Here are some vegetables.Text: Kei Kinoshita / Illustrations: Mayumi Abe

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The picture book “Oyassai, Dozo” has interactive features that make kids excited to turn the pages.

The vegetable illustrations look just like the real thing and are very appealing.

You can also enjoy the sounds of cutting vegetables with a knife, so if you read it with a rhythm, the fun of the book really grows.

Asking questions like “Which vegetables do you like?” and “Which dishes have these vegetables in them?” as you read may also spark more interest in food.

The more familiar the vegetable, the better children tend to react when they turn the page!

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Hina dolls for everyoneText by Yuichi Kimura / Illustrations by Ichiko Fuyuno

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Perfect for the spring Hina Matsuri season, the picture book “Minna de Ohinasama” features adorable illustrations and easy-to-understand content.

It’s a great introduction for one-year-olds who are learning about Hina dolls for the first time, letting them feel and enjoy the tradition.

Since it’s an interactive lift-the-flap style book, children can also enjoy the fun of turning the pages.

You can watch the Hina display come together, making it a wonderful recommendation for enjoying seasonal festivities with children through a picture book.

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[For 1-year-olds] Perfect for March! Recommended Picture Books for 1-Year-Olds (11–20)

HelloText: Shigeo Watanabe / Illustrations: Yasuo Ohtomo

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Here’s an introduction to the picture book “Hello,” recommended for one-year-olds who, by March, are starting to enjoy chatting a little more.

In this book, the main character, a little bear, says “Hello” to everything he encounters.

Because it’s a book about greetings, you’ll find yourself naturally bowing and saying “Hello” as you read it aloud.

Watching the children listen while bowing along with the adults creates such a warm, heartwarming atmosphere.

Please give it a read together!

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hiyoko sensei

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I wonder if the train will come.Chiki Kikuchi

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Let me introduce a picture book that’s perfect for kids who love vehicles: “Will the Train Come?” In this book, you wait on the platform with a bunch of animals, get excited when the train arrives, wave goodbye as it departs, and then wait for the next one.

Just like these animals, kids get thrilled simply by seeing a train pull in, don’t they? That feeling is captured beautifully in this book.

Another fun point is that the train changes color every time it arrives.

And at the end, you get on the train and set off! Where are we going? The excitement just keeps growing.

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Daddy, bath.Chiki Kikuchi

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Let me introduce “Papa, Bath Time,” a picture book that shows how fun bath time can be.

It depicts a bear parent and child taking a bath together.

They take off their clothes, wash up once they’re in, and soak in the tub.

From being covered in bubbles everywhere but their faces, to playing with the shower, to the papa bear splashing water—just looking at it makes you feel happy.

Even the twist at the end might cause a bit of trouble, but it will still make you chuckle.

If your one-year-old isn’t quite a fan of baths yet, why not try reading it together?

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Mr./Ms. KocchokocchoText: Onari Yuko / Illustrations: Hata Koshiro

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“Kochokocho-san” is a tickle-themed picture book that children love.

The characters are Kochokocho-san—a hand with a drawn-on face—and a baby.

Kochokocho-san slowly comes closer and, at the signal of “Here it comes!”, the tickling begins! The tummy, feet, hands, and even the bottom—Kochokocho-san tickles all sorts of spots.

The baby’s delighted expressions will warm your heart.

In the end, you find out that Kochokocho-san was actually the mother, making it a perfect moment for parent–child bonding.

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