Baby Shower Books Instead of Cards: How to Ask, Wording and More

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One of the latest trends in baby showers is asking guests to bring a book instead of a card. When I first heard of this trend I was skeptical – aren’t books more expensive than a card?

But when I actually attended one I found that baby books were the same price or even less than a baby shower card!

I ended up asking for the same thing at my baby shower and was so glad I did! I now have a full library for my baby and a great story to go along with each book to tell her about his family and friends.

Plus it brings back great memories from my baby shower.

If you’re considering asking for a book instead of a card at your baby shower here are some tips on how to ask guests to bring books, the best baby books to ask for, and what to write inside the books.

baby shower book instead of a card pinterest pin

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Benefits of Books vs. Cards

Cards can be generic, but books are all about the baby! When guests sign their name and write a message inside they know it will be read by your baby someday. And if they bring board books or ones with illustrations of the nursery it’s even more special!

Plus you’ll have something fun to read along with the baby!

I now prefer to bring books to baby showers instead of cards because they last longer and will get more use. Books can be more personal and thoughtful and can be kept longer than a traditional baby shower card.

Plus they are just so much fun to have!

How to Ask Guests to Bring A Book Instead of a Card at

There are a few different ways you can ask guests to bring a book instead of a card to your baby shower.

On the Invitation, you can write a note asking for books instead of cards. Some invitation sets even come with a separate insert for this!

A few of our favorite rhymes asking for a card are:

In lieu of a Card, please bring

Your favorite childhood classic.

Let’s build a library for (baby’s name or nickname)

That will be fantastic!

So instead of a card,

to baby and mother,

please give a book,

with your thoughts in the cover.

One small request, we hope it’s not hard

please bring a book instead of a card.

Whether Cat in the Hat or Winnie the Pooh,

your book will be cherished, well-loved or brand new.

Pick any book, whichever you choose, and sign the

inside cover with a special note from you!

baby shower planner images

Related Post: 30 Easy and Inexpensive Baby Shower Favor and Prize Ideas

Best Invitations Asking for Books Instead of Cards

Here are our favorite invitations that ask for books instead of cards

Best Books to Bring to a Baby Shower as a Card Instead

Here are some of our favorite books we love to ask for or bring to baby showers. The best way to ask for these books is to put them on your registry.

We recommend putting a variety of books on your registry (and not just bedtime stories) so you can build a big library for your baby!

You also don’t need to stick to traditional baby books either. You can also ask or bring books that are a little older so baby will have books to read as they grow.

Here are a few of our favorite books to bring to a shower:

1. Touch and Feel Baby Animals

2. Guess How Much I Love You

3. Where the Wild Things Are

4. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

5. Llama Llama Red Pajama

6. Goodnight Moon

7. The Runaway Bunny

8. Duck Duck Moose

9. Corduroy

10. Pout-Pout Fish

11. Love You Forever

12. Harold and the Purple Crayon

13. Madeline

14. Little Blue Truck

15. The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be

16 Snuggle Puppy

17. Oh the Places You’ll Go!

18. I Love You Through and Through

19. If Animals Kissed Goodnight

20. The Giving Tree

What to Write in a Baby Shower Book

Here are some of our favorite things to write inside a baby shower book.

I cannot wait to read this with you.

I hope you enjoy reading and looking at this special book as much as we enjoyed reading and looking at it when we were little.

Here’s to books, baby showers, and years of adventure!

Today’s readers are tomorrow’s leaders

A new adventure is about to begin!

Welcome to the world little one!

Welcome to the family little one!

Related Post: What to Write in a Baby Shower Card (41+ Ideas)

baby shower planner images

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a thoughtful yet inexpensive gift, consider bringing the baby book to the baby shower.

If you are having a baby shower make sure to put books on your registry so guests can bring them instead of cards. Don’t forget to write inside the book!

What do you think about asking for or bringing books instead of cards? Let us know in the comments below!

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11 Comments

  1. It puts the gift giver in a bind. Books are wonderful and I was taught to treat a book with respect which includes not writing in it. I am going to a shower and bought a nice gift and will be getting the book that I have to write in so they know who the gift is from. What do I write since the book is for the child.? Dear whatever your parents are going to name you from me ?????? On a card I would put Dear Sarah and sign my name. What do I write in the book so they know who the large gift is from ?

    1. Another option if you don’t want to write directly in the book is to write your note on a post it, and stick it inside the book. that way the parents can decide if they want to keep it or remove the note once they give it to the baby.

  2. If a request is made to bring a book, does it imply that the book is the gift? Is it kind if greedy to request that u bring a book in lieu of a card & still expect a gift as well? Will saying book in lieu of card be enuf that the guest will bring both the book & the card?

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