Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Original poster

17 month old ready to move up a stage with her reading - what books?

154 replies

scottishmummyofone · 01/07/2009 22:11

my dd is 17 months and has most of the reccommended books on here and seems ready to move up a stage, in that she is now bored of these books.

She currently has (and is bored of): all the 'that's not my...', wibbly pig books, maisy books, goodnight moon, peepo, hungry caterpillar, spot, ITNG books, baby einstein books.

I recently bought her 'the tiger who came to tea', the little princess series and 'the gruffalo' and she LOVES them.

So can anyone recommend similar books for her to read?

Thanks

OP posts:
misshardbroom · 20/07/2009 22:34

As others have said, don't give them away because when she really can read by herself, the simpler picture books are a great way for children to gain confidence in reading independently.

DD has recently gone back to some of her picture books, e.g. 'Peace At Last' by Jill Murphy because she can read them by herself.

I'm with spenthen though about the issue of reading awards for under-2s. God help you when they're in reception if this is starting now!

cory · 21/07/2009 23:31

apart from the ones mentioned above:
Can't you sleep little Bear? and there's a couple of other Little Bear ones
The Duck in the Truck
Owl Babies- though not everybody likes that one

sleepz4wimpz · 14/08/2009 22:35

My son is 17 months - from what you've said he sounds in a similar development stage. His favourite stories are Hungry caterpillar, Ben Bus/Tom Truck (those are fab, shaped like a 3D car), Night Garden boxed set, Move it Builders pop up book, any actiony type books and will name the pictures he sees before I say them- he has well over 20 words, I've lost count, and does animal noises.He actually likes a book better than the tv!! I think the key isn't the book, its repetition and being able to relate words to what they are in real life, for example he understands a concept of a hat and will make the cat wear one (!) as he has seen one, worn one, seen other people wear one... I know it sounds awful but if funds are short, make up stories with an old Argos catalogue!! It is chocca with household items DD can relate to.

As for the 'comments' I think anyone who berates another caring mother is pretty lame because we all know there are babyP's and equivalent happening all the time so why make people who are doing a good job doubt themselves? Get a life.

Oh and if you don't like my comment, don't worry - its all part of what you know as sarcasm, you clever lot...

Campaspe · 16/08/2009 08:25

Scottishmummy - don't be put off by some of the sarky posts here. Reading and sharing books with your daughter is a form of reading, and I know what you mean about your DD being ready to move up to books with a little more narrative. You've got some great suggestions here. As you're interested and keen in this whole area, why not look at the following books for adults; all really useful guides to the importance of book sharing from babyhood upwards.

"The Read Aloud Handbook" - Jim Trelease
"Reading Magic" - Mem Fox
"Babies Need Books" - Dorothy Butler
"Baby Read Aloud Basics" - Caroline Blakemore

The most important thing with toddlers I think is to keep the fun there and let your DD set the pace. I think she is very lucky to have a mum like you!

KeithTalent · 16/08/2009 08:42

"Babies Need Books" by Dorothy Butler is an absolute top recommendation and lovely guide to sharing books with ages 0-5.

It's book lists are a bit dated but contain some absolute gems. And it has lovely useful descriptions of all the developmental stuff.

thirtypence · 16/08/2009 08:54

Tell your library to quit it with the awards (WTF?) and concentrate on buying some more picture books.

Actually could it be that all the best ones are out all the time and you have to order them. I know when ds was of the age you couldn't see a Hairy McLary or Julia Donalson on the shelves but they had hundreds - they were in people's homes being enjoyed.

A lovely librarian used to stash Thomas books under the counter for ds when he came in.

thirtypence · 16/08/2009 08:57

Do not get rid of old books - ds is 6.5 now - but will still get down a picture book and read it pointing out the rhymes, the alliteration, the plosive sounds - because they look at all these things at school.

He has also used the pictures to help inspire him with his own drawing for his homework.

FritesMenthe · 16/08/2009 09:07

Has anyone else's DC returned to the picture books once they could read for themselves? Mine all have and read them to each other saying things like 'I remember this' and 'This was my favourite'. Encouraging a love of books is a good thing, and even better when they take themselves off to bed early to read to themselves.

FritesMenthe · 16/08/2009 09:09

x-posts thirtypence. That's exactly it. My DC have loads of books piled up around their beds,

GypsyMoth · 16/08/2009 09:43

my ds is 17 months old,sounds no different to you own 17 month old op? pretty much the same at this age arent they?

in fact,mine can also name 4-5 animals as wel as do sounds,which i suspect is down to his 4 siblings playing with him constantly here at home. so dont know what hyou're getting at with regards to 'next stage book'?

my older kids show him pictures in other books,magazines,advert flyers and his favourite,photos of family/friends. why the obsession with the local library? and just cos you were a good reader,wont automatically mean your child will be.

piscesmoon · 16/08/2009 10:03

Go to the library and let her choose whatever takes her fancy.

WidowWadman · 16/08/2009 10:05

Why does it cause so much ridicule? To me it just looks like inverted snobbery.

My daughter is nearly 8 months old and loves books, but we've read to her from day one, and read a lot in general so she's always trying to copy us.

We've got sturdy books for her to handle, but also read the gruffalo and similar books to her. Also, she loves A.A. Milne's poetry, it always makes her giggle, so I'd really recommend getting "When we were very young" and "When we were 6".
This is of course not for her to 'read' herself, but for being read to and I think it's a good thing to get children interested into books early. Doesn't have anything to do with pushiness. (My daughter also has German books, too. Normal with being bilingual.)

Oh, and get her 'The mole that knew it was none of his business', it's fab.

piscesmoon · 16/08/2009 10:16

Mine had library tickets practically from birth-it gives a huge range of books.

alittlebitshy · 16/08/2009 10:23

How about the "how does a dinosaur" series? Also at that age we were reading the harry and the bucketful of dinosaur series to dd. As mentioned already mog, hairy mclary, mr men, little misses, thomas the tank engine....

And I agree, don't get rid of baby books! My dd still likes leafing throught hers at age 6, although they are being handed over to ds now.

Oh, kiss goodnight sam is lovely and in a similar vein I think someone already mentioned goodnight moon.

bluejeans · 16/08/2009 10:24

DD loved Flora's Blanket by Debi Gliori

here

KnickKnack · 16/08/2009 10:34

scottishmummyofone if you are still around...don't give away your baby books. When she starts to read by herself, these books will all get a second life. My 5yr old is enjoying reading all her old "baby books" by herself.

Original poster
scottishmummyofone · 16/08/2009 20:34

thanks for the most recent nice posts. you guys seem to get what I was meaning

I've bought and borrowed from the library a lot of the suggestions on here and dd is having a great time having a different book read to her every night.

OP posts:
missmuddle · 16/08/2009 20:56

very funny post but can i seriously suggest argos/ikea/wilkinson catalogues kids love "reading", eating, ripping them - free and new editions come out all the time
and when you have finished you can cut them up and make lovely pictures

KembleTwins · 16/08/2009 21:05

Good reader? She's not actually reading though, is she...?

Anything by Julia Donaldson (Gruffalo) - The Snail and the Whale, Gruffalo's Child, The Kindest Giant in Town, A Squash and a Squeeze - all lovely books.

My DTs love "My First Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder (of Little House on the Prairie" - can get them on Amazon, and also Shirley Hughes - Alfie, Lucy & Tom and so on.

Failing that, try Dickens.

KembleTwins · 16/08/2009 21:10

PS Sorry - read first page then flipped to the end. Meant to say that my DTs (3 now) have also loved books since forever, and I've been reading to them since they were teeny tiny and also endured raised eyebrows, which I was shocked at - why on earth shouldn't tiny babies develop a love of books. I am a very keen reader and always have been. DTs will sit and listen to stories intended for children much older, and I'm pleased - they are very engaged and have an awful lot of books (mum is retired infants teacher so gets them a lot) Just was a bit about you saying DD was a "good reader"

Spoo · 16/08/2009 21:17

Good for you with your good reader. Keep it going.
Have you tried;
Any Oliver Jefferies - How to catch a star
Any Julia Donaldson
Winnie the Witch are fun.
Pants! - great funny book
Giraffes can't dance
Mister Magnolia

MistergodthisisSal · 16/08/2009 21:19

Not really a toddler book at all, but ds (16 months) loves the book Around the World with Mouk here. It's just pictures, but beautiful and very bright. I bought it as a gift joke for dh, but ds stole it and loves it!

Ds loves to eat books, but is definitely not going to win any prizes for reading just yet, so well done on encouraging dd.

MistergodthisisSal · 16/08/2009 21:24

Just saw not in stock on Amazon itself, but you'd be able to find it in most big or otherwise arty kind of bookshops. Also, it's got very strong pages, which helps a lot when he's looking at in on his own.

From Amazon:
"The book is suitable for all active youngsters and is virtually indestructible, with extra-thick and glossy paper, and padded covers."

alittlebitshy · 18/08/2009 19:46

kemble oooh the first little house books!!1 how did i miss their existence when dd was a toddler? I looooved Laura IW when i was younger and hope dd gets into them soon. I wish i'd known about that book!! I wonder if ds will like ?? (at at 13 months he is just starting to take more of an intesrest that biting chunks out of them....)

pranma · 18/08/2009 22:14

Duck in the Truck[dgs loved Fix-it Duck]
Hairy Maclary[Zachary Quack was a favourite]
No matter What by Debbi Gliori
any Julia Donaldson
The Magic Shoebox Farm[may be a bit old]
17 months is not too young my dgs had all these and many more before he was 2.
The more books the better imho

Swipe left for the next trending thread