Reading books can be one of the most fun and beneficial activities you can do with your child. It is never too early to start reading to your little one. It is never too early to start reading to children. Babies love looking at the colours and hearing your gentle soothing voice as you read to them.
Reading to your child has significant advantages – it creates a strong bond between you and your child as she hears your voice, feels your touch and gets cozy time with you while you read to her. Reading to your children helps them develop language skills through listening and repetition.
Children as early as eight months begin to cue what will come next as you turn pages of their favorite books. They’ll make familiar sounds to imitate the ones you make as you read them their books. We can’t think of a more fun and interactive way to learn!
Here are Amelio’s top five great first books for babies and children under three
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
This all-time favorite is a great first for children. Kids love the counting, and the holes in the book as they pretend to nibble through the different fruits as a tiny caterpillar.
Mala’s Silver Anklets by Annie Besant
This book, published by Tulika Books is a delightful story of a little mischievous girl who startles people around her by sneaking up behind them. The illustrations by Nancy Raj are arresting. The repetition of words and fun interjections deliver pure delight to the little reader or listener. This is a highly addictive book; prepare to be asked to read and re-read this by your little one.
Peekaboo Farm by Emily Bolam
This lovely book has flaps and simple, colourful illustrations of farm animals. A great start for children to recognize sounds animals make. The mirror at the end makes for a great way to end the book, because children can’t get enough of seeing themselves in the book.
Grandma and Me by Karen Katz
This lift-the-flap book is great for children as they follow a grandma visiting her grandchild. The simple, short sentences and colourful pictures make for a lovely read to your child.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
This classic is a great nighttime read for children. Children love the repetitive words, rhymes and interesting pictures. It is also a great book to get children into bed because of the nighttime images and quiet and calm descriptions. Moms, this might just be the book that helps get your children to bedtime faster!