100 First Words (Ms. Rachel)

by Ms. Rachel

A wonderful new book is coming from Random House Children's Books.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Board Book

Published January 7, 2025

Reviews

[Lucas Slaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

100 First Words takes the classic “first words” format and layers in the warmth, clarity, and intentionality that families associate with Ms. Rachel. The layout is simple and clean, with bright, friendly images that are easy for toddlers to identify. Each word is presented in a way that encourages pointing, labeling, and repetition. The same core strategies she uses in her videos.

The book is genuinely useful. The pacing is self‑directed, so you can flip through quickly or linger on a single page depending on your child’s attention span. The visuals are uncluttered, which helps little learners focus on one object at a time. And because the book mirrors the language‑development techniques Ms. Rachel is known for, it feels like a natural extension of her educational style.

It’s not meant to be flashy or narrative; it’s a practical tool for building early vocabulary, and it succeeds by being clear, consistent, and toddler‑friendly.

Overall, the book is simple, engaging, and especially effective for kids who already respond well to Ms. Rachel.

[Rosemary Easterday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many families of toddlers, we have a ton of board books in our house. However, my (18 month) child is by far the most interactive with this book over any other book she has. She pages through and says the words she knows while also mimicking a lot of the face and hand gestures. Each page is organized well and the pictures are all styled in a way that makes it clear what they are intended to represent. It’s also a great guide for parents as we navigate helping our child learn to talk. By far the best book I’ve purchased (so far!) for my child!

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

*smugly* "Yeah, I've heard of most of those words."

[Maleeha Siddiqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm counting this one because I have to read this at least 10 times a day with my kid and I've only had it for a week.

[A Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love that this book is full of photographs! I especially appreciate the photo on the first page of someone breastfeeding because it now occurs to me that I cannot think of any other children's books that have an actual photo of a child being breastfed instead of an illustration! Unfortunately, Ms. Rachel missed several opportunities to demonstrate ASL on the pages that ask the audience if they can say things like "please", "sorry!", and "help". Also, on one of the last pages there is a photograph of two children and the text reads "it's okay!" but the one child does not look okay at all; I think we should really avoid telling kids things are "okay" when they clearly do not feel that way. However, I do like that Ms. Rachel gives adults tips for encouraging language develop at the back of the book!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2.5-year-old loves this book, but I struggle reading it to him. It features photographs with words or phrases over the top, but they don't always match our experiences or seem intuitive.

For example, there are two photographs with the word "milk" on them: one of a small milk carton like I had in elementary school, and one of a woman breastfeeding a baby (which is super cool, by the way! I don't think I've seen that in a book before). But since my son was fed via bottle with pumped breastmilk and formula, neither of those images mean "milk" (or anything at all) to him. Instead he sees the photo of a bottle next to them (which is labeled "bottle") and calls that "milk." And he's not wrong: that was his experience! But it's just difficult to try to figure out how to phrase questions or guide him to the "correct" words when they don't match what he knows.

But since my son still really likes this book and frequently chooses it for bedtime reading, and since it seems to have helped him learn / solidify certain phrases like "please" and "thank you," I'll give it four stars.

[Allison Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen, we love Ms Rachel.

My baby LOVES Ms Rachel. So of course I got a book with her in it. Books like these with lots of images I try to point out what he’s looking at and read the word or make the sound of whatever the item might make. He def likes looking at this because Ms Rachel’s image is in every page so it’s got a hook.

Took awhile to get through last night because we read it in the playpen so he’d get distracted and play a few times.

I’m giving Ms Rachel all the stars and all my money.

Elliot prob would’ve given this a 7/10, at least last night.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

We love ms Rachel so we bought this book but it’s just ok. Some of the words don’t make sense or are repeated.

It’s actually pretty difficult for toddler kids because regularly the word over the picture isn’t what you’d say for it if it wasn’t labeled as that.

For example, one picture is a kid holding watermelon and the word above is “yummy!”. Or a picture of a baby wrapped in a towel with the words “all clean!”.

Some of the pictures should have used sign. Even then not sure how you’d expect a child to know what word it is supposed to be.

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

15 month old Leo loves it, especially because it helps him ask for cookies and learn to blow kisses. Mom and Dad like it too - we appreciate the realistic photos, variety, and inclusion of gestures. Our family has never watched Ms. Rachel, so you don't need to be familiar with her to like this book.

[Dannikka Frazzini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book to help manage screen time while still getting Ms. Rachel’s results. I’ve been reading this to my daughter for two days and she’s already said words she hadn’t before! Highly recommend Ms Rachel’s mother senses complement her educational background ground and it really shines through in this book.

[Kaileigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 2 year old daughter LOVES Ms. Rachel! Since her baby brother was born she has regressed in her speech a little and this book is helping her and I’m so proud of her! Thank you Ms. Rachel ❤️

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine for what it is. The girls of course love it.

[Samantha Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I highly enjoyed this book. We really appreciate Ms. Rachel. This book has been on repeat since we purchased it last week. Great book for curious minds!