Tuesday Top Ten: 10 Books To Read To Your Baby
Monday, August 31st, 2009There are probably many many lists on the best books to read to your little ones. Truthfully, you can’t go wrong when reading to your tiny baby. Simply read. Anything and everything. They don’t know what you are saying, tone and beautiful language exposure is the key at this age. High contrast pictures are great. As they grow, stories, words, pictures become more important. Still, just the act of reading is what will give your babies a love of books.
- Awake to Nap by Nikkie McClure is a great book for the high concept pictures. Amazing art that your little one can appreciate!
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. is a classic. Illustrated by Eric Carle, you can’t go wrong with these animals. Fun for older babies learning colors.
- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is another classic. This is a personal favorite of mine for bedtime and often seek it out, even though I have it memorized.
- Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney demonstrates the immeasurable love of a parent for a child and yes, you will get more out of this one than your child will.
- Harold and the Purple Crayon Crockett Johnson is a celebration of a child’s imagination, and isn’t that what we want books to inspire? Harold and his purple crayon take us on quite an adventure and back to the safety and comfort of his own room.
- Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. is a must-have if you love the rhythm and familiarity of other works by Mr. Martin. This one celebrates wild animals and their need to be free.
- Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden is a fun book that even my older kids enjoy reading. Predictable enough for little ones to count on, but with a fun surprise at the end. And what baby doesn’t love looking at their own cute face?
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a classic book for any age. Beautifully written and illustrated, the story can be as simplistic as a baby might need but as your child grows, her appreciation for the story will also grow.
- Ten Tiny Tadpoles by Debbie Tarbett is just fun. Babies love the 3D tadpoles that engage their interest in the page, while older ones love the countdown to the surprise ending.
- Your Own Photobook. Babies love looking at photos of themselves, their siblings, you! You can talk about the pictures, make up a story, let baby touch, explore, turn the pages, engage them in language.
Tell us what your, and your baby’s, favorite books are…. and keep reading!


























