First books

[mrsmilkymoo]

DD is only 7 weeks old but I want to get her into books from an early age - would very much welcome book suggestions for babies as there are so many on amazon that it's hard to know which are going to be the most suitable. So far I've got a black and white board book which has faces and a mirror in it, and a soft book with different colours/textures. Am also interested in books to buy in advance that she'll enjoy later on and that we can read to her. I loved reading as a child (well, still do now!) so am hoping that my parents can unearth some of my old books from their loft, but I am very much out of touch with modern books and authors.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Sign her up for the library. There'll be lots to choose from

[mrsmilkymoo]

Yes, we'll definitely be taking her to the library. It was one of my favourite places as a child!

[Hillfog]

The board book series 'That's not my...' are great for little ones. Texture in the books to touch and always a favourite with my 2.
Stories to read to her, Bear snores on, The Gruffalo & The Gruffalo's child plus anything else by Julia Donaldson. Tales from Acorn Wood too.
We used to get heaps of picture/board books from the library and you can always buy copies of favourites when you see what you like ( when she's old enough to refuse to let you return a particular book as she loves it so much :) )

[Babetti]

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Guess How Much I Love You and my favourite Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes.

[dorasee]

Pat the Bunny

Goodnight Moon

Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle

Rosie's Walk

The Gruffalo books did zip for my DD but she loves Julia Donaldson's other books: The Smartest Giant in Town, Stick Man, Superworm, etc.

[mrsmilkymoo]

Thank you so much for the suggestions - these all look great! As a child I would sometimes get given surprise books, I'd go to bed at night and pull back the covers, and a new book would be hidden in the bed. I think when dd is older I will do the same for her too.

[ThursdayLast]

Oh my god I LOVE Alberg books.
Recommend Peepo and Each Peach Pear Plum too

[MadameJosephine]

How lovely missmilkymoo I am definitely stealing that idea for DD.

She loves anything with lift up flaps, Where's Spot? Dear Zoo that sort of thing. Also we were given a load of ladybird books like these which she never seems to tire of

[emmaMBC]

Brown Bear, Brown Bear is great - not too much text on each page, plus a little 'cliff hanger' on each page to encourage interest levels of little ones.

The BabyLit board books are gorgeous, and certainly have longevity!

... and if Orla Kiely is your thing take a look at these ones.

[caz18b]

I used to read to my daughter from a really young age and now she's older she love the books we used to read. Here's a good list of great picture books christmasgiftsforgirls2014.com/top-picture-books-for-christmas-2014/ which has some really nice looking books on there (different from the normal ones everyone buys).

[mrsmilkymoo]

Thanks everyone for all the links, there are some wonderful books there! I will have to pass these to her grandparents for Christmas ideas Love those baby lit books, what a great idea!

[HRMumness]

I like Oliver Jeffers books and they've always been a big hit with our now 2yo DD. Most of our favourites have already been mentioned above.

I wouldn't worry so much about getting things with faces or black and white pattern books, just the act of sitting and reading so they can hear your voice is more than enough. Plus, once they get old enough they will request the same books over and over and over, so nice to choose what you like while you can. Another good thing about having library books, they go back before you get sick of them!