Books for babies?

[moomin35]

Should I be reading to my baby? What age should you start reading to them? And what would I read? Confused!

[Bankholidaybaby]

You can start reading to your baby as soon as you like - even if they don't understand the story, they hear you and enjoy the special time with you. Later, it teaches them about language and sentence structure, colours, shapes etc. and prepares them for speech. The baby will notice that the same words accompany the picture and will start to identify a pattern.

When they start talking, you can discuss the pictures as well as reading the words. You might try to guess what happens after the story is finished, or go off and learn about something that featured in the story.

Have you been given a BookStart pack by your health visitor? That will include two free books suitable for your child, as well as suggestions of books to try next, and a £1 book token. If you haven't got one, ask about it, as it's a lovely freebie - much better than anything I got from the hospital packs.

www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/article/benefits-of-reading-to-your-baby

[Bankholidaybaby]

How old is your baby? I have an 11 month old, whom I've read to since birth. He can't talk, but I've noticed that every few weeks he seemed to notice something new about his books. He has recently started lifting flaps and babbling at the pictures.

He has enjoyed:

Dear Zoo
What a Busy Baby
Peepo
Hello Baby (set of high-contrast picture books with no words)
Each Peach Pear Plum
The Gruffalo
Me Too!

and lots more. To be honest, I think when they are really tiny, a magazine or your text messages would be just as effective, but using baby books makes the experience special and lovely for both of you.

[SociallyAcceptableCookie]

My son is 9 months and mostly likes to turn pages. The best books have a different colour when you turn the page so he notices the difference. He also likes the touch and feel type books with fuzzy animals or shapes. He's just starting to babble so I think the language aspect is coming but for now it's the tactile and visual experience he enjoys.

[angelopal]

I started reading to dd at a few weeks old with the fabric books. Now at 5 months we have board books. I try and read to her at least once a day.

The thats not my series is good. We have fairy and monkey. She likes turning the pages. Have also got her a library card so we can keep changing the books. There are no late fines if taken out on a childrens card.

[naty1]

Agree, thats not my books.
Ladybird touch ones. And 'read it yourself'
Library
Charity shops
Book people
(I have read so many to 2 year old as i cant bear to keep reading same one

[Ijustworemytrenchcoat]

I read to my son and also leave books out for him to play with. This worked really well and he often chose them over his toys until quite recently when he has taken to eating the flaps.

He loved the Amazing Baby version of Twinkle Twinkle here when he was younger.

Dear Zoo is a big favourite as mentioned above, and also a previous poster mentioned the Book Start pack - we got Tickle Tickle by Helen Oxenbury which he loves, he starts to giggle as soon as I pick it up.

Touch and feel books which capture the imagination are great. I really like this range Usborne playbooks. They are full of flaps, things to feel, finger trails etc. and keep my son really interested.

[Ijustworemytrenchcoat]

I read to my son and also leave books out for him to play with. He lies for ages absorbed in a book turning the pages and lifting flaps. This worked really well and he often chose them over his toys until quite recently when he has taken to eating the flaps.

He loved the Amazing Baby version of Twinkle Twinkle here when he was younger.

Dear Zoo is a big favourite as mentioned above, and also a previous poster mentioned the Book Start pack - we got Tickle Tickle by Helen Oxenbury which he loves, he starts to giggle as soon as I pick it up.

I would really recommend the Usborne playbooks we have a few! the lift the flap one is his favourite. It's full of colour, has lots of different scenes, varied textures and plenty of flaps. It really holds his attention.

[drspouse]

I found that DS liked the sound of our voices long before he was interested in the book/picture/touching anything. So I occasionally read him whatever book I was reading myself!

[schokolade]

Six month old DD is very difficult to read to. She grabs the book and tries to eat it. Quite successfully because she has lots of teeth. Given up for a while tbh.

[LilyandGinger]

Julia Donaldson board books (for the rhythm) and that's not my books for the touchy freely stuff.

I often give books as a baby present as I was given some and thought they were so fabulous.

[LilyandGinger]

Oh and read from birth, they like to hear your voice.