How to Choose the Best Books For Babies from Aged 0 to 2 Years?
My youngest son loved books from about 4 months old. At this age, they really started to take an interest in books and became engaged when I read to him. Having said this, all babies are different. My first son didn't seem as enraptured when I read to him at such a young age but I did so anyway as I think reading to babies is very beneficial (read on to see some of the benefits) and he loves books now! This article looks at the book both my boys loved from when they were young babies to when they were 2 years old as well as lots of the advantages there of reading to young children.
Some of the benefits of reading to babies are as follows:
Some of the benefits of reading to babies are as follows:
- Bonding
- Babies love to sit with you and hear your voice. Make eye contact with them as your reading. It is the start of a really precious time which all parent should appreciate with their babies and children. I love storytime at bedtime, reading with your child can be magical - really enjoy this time.
- Communication
- Reading is the start of learning vocabulary. They will begin to understand words that you repeat when you tell stories again and again. It won't be long until they are pointing to the book and pointing out things to you.
- Education
- Reading helps you learn about the world. Start the habit of a lifelong love of books to help your child learn at nursery, school and beyond.
- So, read on for lots of ideas of the kinds of books to read to your baby.
Books for Young Babies (0 to 6 Months)
The books listed below should appeal especially to young babies (newborn to 6 months) although older babies will probably like them too.
Young babies love books with contrasting colors and bold patterns. They also like pictures of faces and you will quite often see books for young babies with mirrors in them so they can see they're own reflection.
Young babies love books with contrasting colors and bold patterns. They also like pictures of faces and you will quite often see books for young babies with mirrors in them so they can see they're own reflection.
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As they get towards 3 and 4 months, they will love cloth and fabric books which babies can put in their mouths and touch and feel with their hands. They will love books with different textures and fabrics they can feel. There are books with squeakers and mirrors too.
Some great books for this age include: Look Look By Peter Linenthal Lamaze Cloth Book, Peek-A-Boo Forest (featured) Hello, Bugs! (Black and White Sparklers) Baby, Boo! (Amazing Baby) by Beth Harwood |
 
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Books for Babies (6 Months Plus)
From around 6 months, babies love exploring things with all their sense (touch,sight, smell, sound and taste). So books that stimulate the different senses are great for babies of this age and they will probably be enjoying the same books at age 2. So, when looking at books for babies of this age some things I considered include:
Are they visual and colorful? Can you touch and feel different textures? Are there sounds to listen out for? Are there sturdy flaps to lift and look behind?
Another thing to consider is how both parents and children interact with the book especially as babies get older.
Are there body parts to learn? Can you play peek-a-boo? Can parents make different voices and sounds when reading the books? Are they fun? Will they make baby giggle and laugh?
Are they visual and colorful? Can you touch and feel different textures? Are there sounds to listen out for? Are there sturdy flaps to lift and look behind?
Another thing to consider is how both parents and children interact with the book especially as babies get older.
Are there body parts to learn? Can you play peek-a-boo? Can parents make different voices and sounds when reading the books? Are they fun? Will they make baby giggle and laugh?
Soft Books for Babies
There are lots of advantages of having soft books for babies:
- Babies can feel them, touch them and chew on them. Books should be about discovery and being comfortable to feel and touch books is good. Soft books are normally bright and colorful so attract babies attention and help with shape, color and picture recognition. You can quite often hang them onto car seats and strollers too.
Touch and Feel Books
Babies of this age love using their hands to explore so touch and feel books are perfect.
I have read quite a few touch and feel books to my boys and I talk about what he's touching as well as reading the book.
My sons loved touch and feel books at around age 1 year old and I think they are popular with many babies of the same age. 1 year olds love feeling the textures of different materials fulfilling their natural instinct to touch and explore everything.
I have read quite a few touch and feel books to my boys and I talk about what he's touching as well as reading the book.
My sons loved touch and feel books at around age 1 year old and I think they are popular with many babies of the same age. 1 year olds love feeling the textures of different materials fulfilling their natural instinct to touch and explore everything.
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Touch and feel books are also really good for teaching babies and toddlers about the world around them. They need to touch something "bumpy" or "soft" to fully understand the meaning of the word. They won't be able to understand these words without touch so these kind of books are really useful for teaching such concepts.
Check out: Peek a boo Farm (Touch and Feel Action Flap book) by DK Publishing Millie Moo Touch and Feel Picture Book by Roger Priddy Wild Animals (Touch and Feel) by DK Publishing Curious George at the Zoo: A Touch and Feel Book by H.A Rey |
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Peek a boo!
Another favorite type of books for babies are peek-a-boo books, where you can peek through a hole to see what's on the next page or peek under a flap to see what's hiding underneath. Babies will have great fun trying to anticipate what comes next or what's hiding.
My baby loves the books with holes, sometimes we play a game where my finger pokes out the hole from behind the page in the book and he find this hilarious.
My baby loves the books with holes, sometimes we play a game where my finger pokes out the hole from behind the page in the book and he find this hilarious.
Peek a Boo BooksPeek a Who by Nina Laden (see opposite)
A summary - Colorful pictures and simple rhyming texts help children guess what's peeking through the die-cut windows in these two fun board books. The anticipation of what's hiding on the next page and the bright, engaging illustrations will keep youngsters guessing and giggling all the way to the suprise endings. More Peek a Who Books: Grow Up by Nina Laden Peek a Baby by Karen Katz Peek a Boo - I Love You - by Sandra Magsamen |
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Lift the Flap Books
There are some great lift the flap books for babies. When looking for lift the flap books, choose books with big flaps as they are easier for little fingers to open.
Also I've learned from experience, never leave alone a baby or a toddler with a lift the flap books as their game will become rip off the flaps!
Also I've learned from experience, never leave alone a baby or a toddler with a lift the flap books as their game will become rip off the flaps!
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Some ideas of lift the flap books include:
Where is Baby's Belly Button By Karen Katz This book has big flaps so is perfect for younger children and my 1 year old son enjoys looking at it. Each page has a question such as "Where's baby's belly button?" and an answer such as "under her shirt". You then lift the flap to find baby's belly button. It's great for teaching body parts and other vocabulary. My baby enjoys flipping the pages of the board book and helping me lift the flaps too. More Lift the Flap Books Dear Zoo - A lift the flap book by Rod Campbell Open the Barn Door - A Chunky Book Where's Spot (original lift the flap) by Eric Hill |
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Bedtime Books
I've read both my boys books at bedtime since they were really little. I find it really helps them calm and settle at night and we really look forward to it as part of their bedtime routine.
It's also means no matter how busy each day is, we have some quality one on one time scheduled at the end of it.
It's also means no matter how busy each day is, we have some quality one on one time scheduled at the end of it.
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When looking for a bedtime story, I would really recommend looking for one with soothing rhymes and pictures as these really help calm your child.
The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton I love reading this book - it even makes me feel sleep as they rock and rock and rock to sleep at the end. Spot Says Goodnight by Eric Hill Big Enough for Bed (Sesame Street) by Apple Jordan (for when the move from a crib to a big kid bed) It's Time To Sleep My Love by Nancy Tillman |
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Books for 1 to 2 Year Olds
As babies get a little bit older you can introduce them to books which aren't quite stories but have a little more text to read.
Look for books with big visual images to attract and hold babies attention.
At first, look for bookt where the text is repetitive. Patterns of the same words are good as babies will be able to recognize the words after reading it a few times
I've found with my 1 year old, it's a good idea to emphasis some words (saying it in a louder voice or using different tones or volume for different phrases). This attracts and holds his attention.
Look for books with big visual images to attract and hold babies attention.
At first, look for bookt where the text is repetitive. Patterns of the same words are good as babies will be able to recognize the words after reading it a few times
I've found with my 1 year old, it's a good idea to emphasis some words (saying it in a louder voice or using different tones or volume for different phrases). This attracts and holds his attention.
Check out:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear - What do you see? by Eric Carle
Moo Ba La La La by Sandra Boynton
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr
Brown Bear, Brown Bear - What do you see? by Eric Carle
Moo Ba La La La by Sandra Boynton
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr
First Story Books
When buying a first story book for 1 year olds, look for books with big bright images to attract babies attention and short pieces of text.
It may be wise just to look at the pictures first and point out things to get baby interested in the book so they are more likely to read the story.
Classics are often the best 1st story books to start of with as you know they have been popular and tested with generations before.
If they aren't interested in a story book straightaway put it away for a couple of months and soon they will be.
It may be wise just to look at the pictures first and point out things to get baby interested in the book so they are more likely to read the story.
Classics are often the best 1st story books to start of with as you know they have been popular and tested with generations before.
If they aren't interested in a story book straightaway put it away for a couple of months and soon they will be.
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Check out:
The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle I started reading my eldest son The Hunger Caterpillar at around 18 months. Now he's 3 and he still loves this book. A definite favorite. Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker (Author) Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney |
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Finger Puppet Books
My youngest son loved a finger puppet book at 18 months. It used to make him laugh and he used to try and touch the finger puppet during the story. Puppet books are a great way to get toddlers attention, keep them focused and involved. They are also great for playing peek-a-boo too. As they get older they can have a go at using the finger puppet too.
Check out -
Little Duck: Finger Puppet Book by Chronicle Books
The Very Hungry Caterpillar's Finger Puppet Book - a counting book with a caterpillar finger puppet
Little Duck: Finger Puppet Book by Chronicle Books
The Very Hungry Caterpillar's Finger Puppet Book - a counting book with a caterpillar finger puppet
Sound Books
These books make sounds by pressing buttons. My youngest son just loves pressing the sound buttons in his book again and again and again! I can leave him with his sound book and it keeps him occupied for quite a while.
Check out -
Sounds on the Go by Gail Donovan
Sounds on the Go by Gail Donovan
