It’s never too soon to introduce your child to the joy of reading. Here are just a few reasons why reading together is important:

• EARS: Babies are attracted to sound, and reading helps little ones attach meaning to what they hear.
• EYES: Books encourage babies to focus on an object, which helps develop vision.
• HEART: Babies are comforted by the sound of your voice and knowing you are near, which makes reading the perfect way to bond with your baby.
• BRAIN: Early experiences with books are linked to later success in learning to read. Nurturing a love for books and reading is the best gift you can give your baby.

Choose books that…

Are made of cloth or cardboard with rounded edges.

Tip: Babies love to touch, move—and even chew—on their books. Board and cloth books are made for baby hands—and mouths—and allow for safe exploration. Many classic children’s titles are available in these formats.

Examples:

Baby’s Day: Cloth Book
by Karen Katz
ISBN: 9781416935803

The I LOVE YOU Book
by Todd Parr
ISBN: 9780316247566

Who Do You See?
by Will Grace
ISBN: 9780545102940

 

Feature bright, primary colors and high-contrast patterns.

Tip: Babies under six months can’t see subtle shades yet, but they’re attracted to bright contrasting colors. Bold black-and-white books are perfect for baby eyes!

Examples:

Black & White
by Taba Hoban
ISBN: 9780061172113

Hello Baby: Words
by Roger Priddy
ISBN: 9780312515980

Look at the Animals!
by Peter Linenthal
ISBN: 9780525475828

 

Show objects that are part of baby’s world.

Tip: Look for point-and-say books that show one familiar object per page. When sharing with baby, name each object and describe it in a sentence.

Examples:

 I Love to Eat
by Amelie Grauz
ISBN: 9780547848426

Let’s Name!
by Rod Campbell
ISBN: 9781509804368

My Toys/ Mis Juguetes
by Rebecca Emberly
ISBN: 978031617494

 

Depict all kinds of faces.

Tip: Babies are fascinated by faces—even their own! Go for books that present diverse faces. Books with mirrors also make great options.

Examples:

Baby Faces Peekaboo!
by DK Publishing
ISBN: 978-0756655068

Global Babies
by The Global Fund for Children
ISBN: 9781580891745

Hugs and Kisses
by Roberta Grobel Intrater
ISBN: 9780439420037

 

Are textured and touchable.

Tip: Babies love to touch, so books with special textures grab their attention and stimulate brain development.

Examples:

Fuzzy Fuzzy Fuzzy!
by Sandra Boynton
ISBN: 9780689863639

Baby Touch and Feel: Animals
by DK Publishing
ISBN: 9780756634681

That’s Not My Bunny: Its Tail Is Too Fluffy
by Fiona Watt
ISBN: 9780794509576

 

Allow for interactive play.

Tip: Look for lift flaps, holes, and built-in puppets. By age one, babies develop a sense of object permanence—which makes peek-a-boo a blast!

Examples:

Peek-a-Who?
by Nina Laden
ISBN: 9780811826020

This Little Piggy: A Hand-Puppet Board Book
by Jill Ackerman
ISBN: 9780545030380

Where is Baby’s Belly Button?
by Karen Katz
ISBN: 9780689835605

 

More Baby Books We Love

 

All of Baby, Nose to Toes by Victoria Adler ISBN: 9780803735316 Baby Cakes by Karma Wilson ISBN: 9781416902898 Baby’s Day by Michael Blake ISBN: 9780763633684 Beep Beep by Petr Horacek ISBN: 9780763634827 Charlie Chick by Nick Denchfield ISBN: 9780152060138 Clap Hands by Helen Oxenbury ISBN: 9780689819841 Counting Kisses by Karen Katz ISBN: 9780689856587 Curious Baby: My First Book of Color by H. A. Rey ISBN: 9780547472805

Go by Dwell Studios ISBN: 9781609050009 Grandma Calls Me Gigglepie by J.D. Lester ISBN: 9780375859045 Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes by Annie Kubler ISBN: 9780859537285 I Kissed the Baby! by Mary Murphy ISBN: 9780763624439 My Colors/Mis Colores by Rebecca Emberly ISBN: 9780316233477 Who Do I See? by Salina Yoon ISBN: 9780375873096 You Are My Baby: Farm by Lorena Siminovich ISBN: 9781452106434 Yummy Yucky by Leslie Patricelli ISBN: 9780763619503