Baby books

[AnnaBanana25]

I wondered if anyone could recommend books that would be nice to read a baby from birth? I am pregnant with my first and quite keen to read from early on, so that the baby can get used to the idea of books. So far I have the classic Winnie the Pooh, Little Prince, and a book of fairy tales from my childhood. Any ideas would be great!

[EasterSundaySimmons]

Dr Seuss books.

[AnythingNotEverything]

Choose things that you enjoy reading. You won't keep it up if you don't enjoy it too! For classics Winnie the Pooh is good, as is Alice In wonderland (beautifully written!).

If it's just words, you could read a cookery book and your baby will enjoy the sound of your voice. If you want pictures to look at too, try Each Peach Pear Plum and The Gruffalo.

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

I loved Julia Donaldson's sharing a shell when mine were little, I got the sparkly board book.

This is the Bear is lovely - Helen Craig and someone else wrote it.
Jez Alborough - My Friend Bear, Where's My Teddy are lovely too

rhyming ones are good.

[Thurlow]

I agree, anything you enjoy! It's just the sound of your voice they like. However at a few months old DD would listen to Peepo! by the Ahlberg's over and over again, it has a lovely rhythm to it, as does Each Peach Pear Plum. Julia Donaldson ones do too, they're very easy to ready aloud, and they keep their worth as when they become a toddler they'll actively enjoy the books. One of the earlier books DD fell in love with was I Took the Moon for a Walk.

[AnnaBanana25]

Thanks for all your comments! I had a really successful Saturday charity shop hopping and found a mint copy of the Gruffalo, loads of Dr Seuss books, and a few others, all for about £5 in total! Bargain!

Out of curiosity, how good are those squishy, touchy/feely play type books you get for babies? My nieces and nephews don't seem to get much from them but not sure if that's just them?

[KleineDracheKokosnuss]

ow good are those squishy, touchy/feely play type books you get for babies?

We had two for DD and she played with them for a while, but lost interest before she was a year old (her interest moved onto board books). I'd get one if you want to, but they are not necessary.

[HiawathaDidntBotherTooMuch]

Cloth books (is that what you mean? they are made out of cotton and have tactile things in them) kept the DC's interest until about 9 months or so. Priddy books do really nice ones ime.

Sound books are the next thing that my DC liked. M&S do a great selection, as do Usborne. And then lift the flap board books. They both loved the That's Not My ... range but there's not much to them.

Ladybird do a nice range of baby touch books which is basically lots of textures and colours, not a story.

Books that they've enjoyed me reading to them since birth are Peepo, Each Peach Pear Plum, We're Going on a Bear Hunt, Dear Zoo, any of the Paddington books, No Bed Without Ted, any of the Julia Donaldson ones but their favourites have been Gruffal, Guffalo's Child, Monkey Puzzle, A Squash and a Squeeze, Sharing A Shell, Stick Man, Superworm, the one with the Giant who gives away all his clothes...

I would buy only board books.

[Thurlow]

DD never went a bundle on the cloth baby books and preferred to look at the board books, though that does mean you have to sit and turn the pages for them...

I really don't like Stick Man. I don't know what it is about that book but something freaks me out about it.

Squash and a Squeeze is the best though.

[Leeds2]

My DD (now 16!) really liked the That's Not My Bear! board book. I think there are a whole series of those books now.

[Dangermouse1]

Go to the library and try them out for free when your dc is here, then you can find which type they like and buy any favourites. They usually do nice music / rhyme time sessions too which are free and nice for babies/toddlers.

[TheBookofRuth]

My cousin got me a beautiful book for DD called "You Were the First", which DD loves and I love reading to her. Took several attempts to get through it without sobbing mind.

[angryangryyoungwoman]

I recommend peepo by Janet and Alan allberg...

[AnnaBanana25]

Blimey thanks folks, didn't expect so many replies!! Great idea, danger mouse, I hadn't thought of the library, don't know why. Its so obvious its probably baby brain!

thurlow I was intrigued by your stick man comment so had a look at it on Amazon... It is as bit odd... Its funny, my dh has a real thing about Dr Seuss! Really gives him the heeby jeebies, but I love them!

I almost have too many recommendations, its already difficult to hold onto money these days! Right, library, here I come... Although new books are so irresistible..... Sigh.

[Lovelydiscusfish]

My dd loved "Rumble in the Jungle" when she was about six months old, and still loves it now, at two. It has quite strongly rhythmic poems about different jungle animals, so it is fun to read. The pictures are also quite appealing. You can get it in board book form, which is best for babies (and toddlers!)

[Maryam90]

I used to baby my daughter teething proof books full of pictures only...as i'd flick the pages, i'd describe what's happening in all the pictures. The colours are exciting for them; being able to chew on it makes it useful and a plis side for mummy - you dont have to get bored of repeating the same words over and over!