Anyone who has shopped for a baby’s first books knows the problem. There are hundreds of boxed sets, they all promise the same things, and the covers look almost identical. My First Library from Wonder House Books is one of the more popular ones, so I looked at what’s actually in the box and what reviewers say about it.
What’s in the My First Library box
It’s ten small hardcover board books, first published in 2018 and sold in a gift box. The topics are ABC, Numbers, Shapes, Colours, Wild Animals, Farm Animals and Pets, Birds, Fruits, Vegetables, and Transport. Each book takes one theme and pairs bright pictures with simple word labels. The set is aimed at ages 0 to 3.
The publisher says the books are sized for small hands, made from thick board, and finished with edges that aren’t sharp, and that the pictures show things a child sees around them so they’re easy to recognise. That’s the publisher’s description, so treat it as a claim rather than a test result. Ratings on retailer listings sit around 4.3 to 4.4 out of 5, which is solid for a set like this.
The catch
Not everyone is impressed. One reviewer on Goodreads called the books slapped together, saying they felt like random words and stock images with little thought given to the order of the words or what a child might actually learn. It’s a small number of reviews, so I wouldn’t read too much into one opinion, but it’s the kind of complaint worth knowing about before you buy.
The other limit is built into the format. These are picture and word books. There’s no story, no rhyme, and nothing to read aloud in a voice. That’s normal for board books at this age, but if you want something to read at bedtime, this isn’t it. And with an age range of 0 to 3, most children will probably outgrow the set by the time they’re three or so.
Should you buy it?
For a first-time parent, or for a baby shower or first birthday gift, it makes sense. The gift box helps, the topics cover the basics, and ten books is a decent starting shelf. If you’d rather own fewer, better-made books, or you want stories, skip it. Check the listing for the current price and the exact size of the books before you order, since both can vary by seller.
I’d give it 4 out of 5. It’s a sensible, no-frills first set that does what it says, with the honest caveat that it teaches words, not stories.
