Best books for babies + tips for reading
Reading with your baby from birth is one of the most important things you can do with your child to encourage their future development. Even before they understand what you’re saying, they are comforted by snuggling close and hearing your voice.
The best books for babies are thick and durable – what we in the industry refer to as ‘board books’! These are books that can stand up to a bit of slobber rough treatment and are perfect for little ones who haven’t yet learned to be gentle. But what else should you be looking for?
Touch and feel books
The sensory aspect of touch and feel books are fantastic for developing baby’s sense of touch, as well as their language development as you explain what they’re feeling.
Snooze with Hairy Maclary: a Touch and Feel Book by Lynley Dodd
Australian fun: a touch and feel playbook by Mandy Archer
Baby Touch Squeaky Book by Justine Swain-Smith
Books with babies
Babies love babies, whether that be photos of other babies, or themselves in a mirror!
Real Life First Focus Book by Kimberly Kent
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
Simple images with high contrast
Baby’s eyesight takes a while to develop. By around 4 months your baby should be able to see you from across the room, but until then high contrast images help your little one learn how to focus their eyes. After 4 months, baby will still respond best to simple, clear images.
Black and White by Emma Dodd
Mesmerised: captivating pictures for babies and newborns by Katey Love
Splash: talk to the ocean animals with Alison Lester
Not too many words
But how do you ‘read’ a story with few or no words in it? Have a conversation with your baby! Try talking about the pictures, pointing out items, counting things, pulling faces, singing a song…
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe: A Counting Nursery Rhyme by Salina Yoon
Possum Magic: Colours by Mem Fox
Snugglepot and Cuddlepie Present First Words by May Gibbs
What’s That? Big Machines
Try making your own books!
What was that? You mean you’re not an aspiring children’s author? You don’t need to be! Draw or print out simple, black and white images or patterns – there are lots of free ones available online. Laminate if you can, and staple into a booklet or stick pages up around your home – for example, near baby’s change mat or cot, or on the floor during tummy time.
You could also create a personalised book for your baby by printing photos of family members or baby’s favourite things.
A few more things…
- Keep books where baby can reach them and ‘read’ them whenever they wish.
- Books are meant to be fun! It’s completely okay to skip pages or stop reading in the middle of a book if baby loses interest.
- Follow your baby’s lead. Let them explore the book or turn the pages, and answer when they point to something. Go slow!
- Try and place baby where they can see your face (and watch your mouth moving) and you can see them (to see what’s taken their interest).
- Children thrive on repetition. We parents might get bored, but they love it.
Want more tips for reading with babies? Perhaps you’d like to brush up on your nursery rhymes? Looking for an opportunity to spend quality time with your bub? Or maybe you just want to meet other mums and bubs! Come along to one of our Storytime for Bubs sessions – they’ll be up and running again in January at our Dalby and Chinchilla branches.