books for kids

I’d rather say start reading out to them in the uterus, and you are destined to visualise the magic unwind in front of your eyes! The listening ability is present in the baby while it is in the womb. Reading to a baby in the womb has a lot of positive effects and it's a strong foundation of your bond once your baby is born.

Why should you read to kids?

Reading to kids once they’re born can begin from infancy. I usually see a lot of eyes rolling when I say I’m picking up books for my infant. But comparatively it is lesser than when I said that I’m reading to my bump.

Reading a book out aloud and showing them pictures helps improve their stimulation, both visual and auditory. So when it comes to infants they first see the books before we proceed to reading out to them. The habit of reading helps them to achieve the milestone of learning to speak. Repetition of reading and seeing things sure does have its advantages in building up their knowledge and vocabulary for speaking.

Children who have knowledge of more words at a young age, imitate words from their surroundings and have a richer vocabulary, making them good conversationalists.

The fantasy world that the books lead to can also help you in bringing up a kid with good imagination. The more you read to them, higher the chances that they would respond quickly. The wide range of books that are available now sure do guarantee all sensory stimulation – visual, auditory and tactile.

Investing in books is something that you will never repent. Remember, you are gifting them and paving a path of reading on their own. Invest now and they will thank you later on. The greatest treasure one can have and that can never be stolen is the books that they possess.

books for kids

Books are a great way to help them achieve milestones, speaking up, sharing, compassion and what not. Would you believe you even have books for potty training which makes it easier for many mothers.

Also the books you invest on can be used for your second child or could be passed on to others in the family who are expecting. Giving away books also brings joy and more room for new books.

Books to read to your bump

  • The complete tales of Winnie the Pooh by A A Milne, illustrated by E H Shepard.

Milne is known for writing great stories for young audience, supportive of illustrations by Shepard. The author is known for his style of language.

  • The Cazuela that the farm maiden stirred by Samantha R Vamos illustrated by Rafael Lopez.

A child who is multilingual is always what a mother wants. This book has English and Spanish.The story is about farm workers and animals bringing in ingredients to make a pudding. The recipe at the back can be tried out to feed your baby when they are old enough. The book also has a pronunciation guide at the back.

  • Dr.Seuss’s books

How can you forget Dr. Seuss’s book when you are reading out? The rhyme and tongue twisters give you a whole new experience. Green Eggs and Ham is a favourite.

Books for infants

If you’re purchasing for infants, things you need to keep in mind are size, texture, interactive content and ones that can be easy to hold.

As early as two month old babies can recognise black and white. You can put up print outs of black and white pictures if you do not want to buy books. Printout sheets of object pictures that are large can be placed where the infant can see. These serve the purpose too. Black on white by Tana Hoban can be a good choice.

Proceeding to cloth, touch and feel that’s when the infant gets the grip and initiates rubbing and feeling the texture. Cloth and crinkle books are great during this period. Touch and feel by DK books or from Ladybird are good recommendation for board and texture combination. For a cloth book there are many budget friendly that are new and preloved available in the market.

A story book that can be your bedtime read is a partner that’s going to travel a long way. My recommendations from reading to the bump could also be a choice here. Choose a book that tells a story and can grow along with child.  Eric Carl’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a must in all little libraries. Where is Baby’s Belly Button by Karen Katz is another favourite.

Interactive books are those with lift the flaps, pull outs, tabs that help in interaction between reader and the book. Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell, is good choice.

Word book which introduces simple and baby’s first words, there are a lot available in the market with themes. Choose according to the baby’s interest. First 100 words was my pick in this category.

Bilingual books. As I already mentioned that making the child speak in more than one language not only improves their vocabulary but also help them converse better. Books with description in two languages helps them relate much better and learn faster. Books like das din, chugloo bugloo teach English, Tamil and Hindi.

Or simply if you do not want to spend time on the above, just choose books which have bright big pictures with little or no words. Helen Oxenbury, Sandra Boyton books are great recommendations that you should try.

Books for toddlers

The toddlers are in stage of exploration and eager to know more. It’s a tender stage that makes them grasp quickly.

  • Brown bear brown bear what do you see by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carles
  • Guess how much I love by Sam McBratney
  • Giraffes can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
  • Bellybutton book by Sandra Boynton
  • Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
  • A bear called Paddington
  • The rainbow fish
  • The day the crayons quit by Drew Daywalt
  • The smartest giant in town
  • One mole digging a hole

Do you or your child have a favourite book you love to read together? Let me know in the comments below!