Mumsnet Talk

With both my kids we have read to them since they were bumps, and my DD (3 in april) loves reading, especially just before bed with all of us cuddled around. But my DS (11 months) isn't really all that bothered. He'll sit still for about 2 books (not back to back, he just likes 2 out of all the books we have). Every night after bath I try one of the standards he likes and try to introduce one or two new ones but he doesn't seem interested in the least. We also show him books during the day, but again, unfussed.

Maybe I'm comparing him too much to his sister, but i feel like at this point she was loving 4-5 bedtime books per night?

Should I lighten up? Or are there any books people might suggest I try?

At 11 months I wouldn't worry about it at all. Ds showed very little interest in books at that point (other than ripping them or eating them!) at 2.3 he can't get enough off them!

Sorry , I was very by your title.

DD2 is 2 and is still not sitting for any books. "Dear zoo" and any touchy feely from usborn are her favourite but she won't let me read to her. She also likes anything with cars.
You have to stop comparing them, they are different. Relax my BD wouldn't read at all until late teenage and is probably reading more than me (book worm from the start) now.

4-5 books at 11 months?! We read ds one book. Now at 2.4 he'll sit for a few but not long!

Definitely board books, mine love anything with real pictures, plus That's Not My.... when they were younger. Dorling Kindersley do some good textured books with real pictures that are were popular when they were younger.

They get books out every day, looking through them either by themselves or with me, plus books at bedtime, but they are not that keen on sitting and listening, and haven't been since they could move.

Absolutely lighten up ... He is a baby

Think for a boy he's doing well having 2 books in a day. Agree with the "that's not my....blardy boring book" suggestion. DS got into Thomas at about that age so you could try the Thomas board books and DS liked the Ladybird touch books from the library from an early age, like this one.

maybe just talk about the pictures with him on your knee rather than read the whole story?

There are loads of books with interesting pictures- Axel Scheffler, Ahlberg, Oliver Jeffers, Emma Chichester Clark, Eric Carle... lots of things to talk about. You could play games- can you see a dog etc...

There are some lovely books in this list [smle]

No need to 'lighten up' OP (and at that phrase!)

You're absolutely right to be thinking about using books with your little one, even though he's still very young. I'm an Early Years SLT and we're always promoting use of books with children right from birth. However, don't worry too much about how long he can sit for - it will be seconds rather than minutes at this age. Even if he's just handling books, putting them in his mouth, shaking them about, he's getting used to being around books and seeing them as a 'normal' part of life. If he shows interest in a picture, name it for him - doing this means you're helping him to link the word with the picture. Follow his lead and don't worry if he only shows fleeting interest at this stage. And have fun!

At 11 months my son was willing to sit still with a book for max 10 seconds, now at almost 17 months he brings the books to me. He got there in his own time (around 14-15 months), no pressure.

I don't think you can start too soon. We read heaps of books to DS, pretty much from birth and he would lie happily for ages letting me read away and wiggling with pleasure and trying to tap the pages. It was definitely not a passive activity as some will tell you. Now, at 2, he loves books and would have us read to him all day long.

Oh, and I used to lie flat on the bed with him and hold the book up in the air. No need for them to be able to sit up at all.