Without getting all scientific on you, I’d like to start off today’s post by stating that there is no better way to launch babies into their intellectual development than by reading to them. I started reading to my kids before they were born. That may be quite unnecessary, but it’s what I did. I’m not going to bring in scientific data, there are plenty of websites for that. I’m just sharing my personal experience in this. The more we read and the earlier we read in our kids’ lives, the better their vocabulary and logic skills are as toddlers. Reading with your babies molds these little people into children who are actually fun to be around!
If you’ve had a baby, you probably already own one or more copies of Goodnight Moon and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Those books are classic and wonderful, but what I want to share is the lesser known books my own children loved before age one.
The first three are from the First Golden Book series. They’re so sturdy–my little boy is rough and tumble and loves these books, but they’ve shown no wear.
What Does Baby Hear? by Kathy Cruickshank
Goodnight Baby by Barbara Lanza
This Little Piggy by Kate Gleeson
I Am A Bunny by Richard Ole
Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
Trains by Byron Barton
Where Is Baby’s Belly Button? by Karen Katz
A Night Night Prayer by Amy Parker
My Goodnight Book by Eloise Wilkin
Cleo’s Color Book by Caroline Mockford
Of course, my children loved some of the more popular books by Eric Carle and others. There were days when I wanted to throw Brown Bear, Brown Bear out of a three story window. I mean, it’s a great book, but after three readings, it gets seriously old. Anyway, my hope for today’s post is not that you think “Yes, that’s a list of the top ten best books for babies.” No, what I hope is that you read my list and think “I haven’t heard of some of these but I’m going to check them out!” While you’re at it, try to read to your babies a good supply of books that actually make sense to you, or explain something about their world, or tell a story. Not too much Moo, Baa, La La La, although certainly read that, too, if your children like it and you can stand it. =)
This is Day 29 of the 31 Days of Picture Books Series. Read the rest of this series here.
Mr. Mia says:
We actually still have the same copy of “I am a bunny” that my mom read to me when I was a toddler. What’s cool is that I still remembered the pictures at age 25, good books have that kind of impact when you’re young!
MiaTheReader says:
I’ll never forget the dandelion page. “I blow the dandelions into the air.”