Books for Babies and Young Children

Choosing the best book for your baby or toddler can feel a bit overwhelming when you first begin. You may find yourself wondering, where is the best place to buy books for my child? How many books should my child have? Should I let my baby or toddler play with books? Here are the tips you need to launch your baby or toddler on a life long love of reading.

Finding Books for Babies and Toddlers

Finding affordable books for your baby or toddler is as easy as your local library. Many libraries offer board books that are wonderful for babies and toddlers. You can also watch for used book sales at your local library or check out garage sales in your area.

A quick internet search for child book of the month club will yield over 200 thousand results relating to book clubs for children. With a children’s book of the month club you will be able to select books from a catalog to have delivered directly to your home. The books are affordable and fun for kids. Your children will get excited each month when they are able to select which books to buy and then they will look forward to their monthly book delivery.

Storing Books for Children

Young children should be encouraged to open books and pretend to read on their own. Babies as young as 9 months to a year will open colorful board books and flip through the pages.

Keeping books accessible to babies and toddlers is as easy as setting up a low book shelf in your home to store all children’s books. You can also have your toddler decorate a cardboard box that is stored on the floor and filled with books. Even the car is a great place for books. Try keeping one or two favorite books in the car for your child to read while you are driving.

Selecting the Best Book for Babies and Toddlers

Babies up to about one year of age enjoy board books. This type of book has thick cardboard pages that turn easily. Soft cover and vinyl books are also available and allow babies to chew on the book with out harming themselves or the book.

Babies also like brightly colored books and books with pictures they can recognize. Animals, people, and everyday objects are a great place to start.

Toddlers like easy to turn pages and simple to follow story lines. Simple rhyming books that present a flowing rhythm engage toddlers and offer a soothing sound. Also look for books that tell a story without words. This gives toddlers the opportunity to read the pictures and make up a story.

When to Read to Young Children

When babies and young children are read to they are more likely to be successful in school and to develop a love for reading. Any time of day is a great time to read to children. Many experts agree that reading at bedtime offers a wonderful routine for children and parents. Each night before bed allow your child to select a book to read.

Be sure to remember that if your child wants to read, now is as good a time as any. When toddlers and young children ask you to read it is important to take the time and fill this need.