Book Recommendations

So, having read many books with Alexis at this point, here are my top five recommendations for babies 0-12 months:

1) Where is Baby's Belly Button? Alexis' face lights up whenever I get this book out to read to her. First, babies love pictures of babies and the baby drawings in this book are cute and attractive to Alexis. Second, this is a lift the flap book and Alexis just loves to pull back the flaps and smiles broadly to see what is under them. Third, this book teaches both parts of the body and prepositions, both great concepts for a baby to learn.

2) Where's Spot? The Spot books are great, but Alexis adores this one. She likes to read it several times in one sitting. It also has flaps to open and she loves this. The pictures are just right for a baby: not too busy and straightforward. This book teaches prepositions and also different animal names as long as you note the animals that are found in the book.

3) B is for Bear This board book is a touch and feel book that has different textures to feel throughout the book. Alexis likes to touch it sometimes, but I think more than anything she loves the big pages. It also is great for babies: it has one object on each page, thus teaching the term for the object on the page. It also is written in rhyme which helps babies to learn sounds of words and also rhythm.

4) Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Although this book is often read by older children, it is great for babies, too. It also has one animal per page and repeats the names of the animals over and over in a rhythmic pattern. Alexis loves this book and the pictures.

5) Baby's First Words This is a simple book with one object and its identifying word on each page. Alexis loves to turn the pages. What I like about this book is that the pictures are of baby things rather than adult things. Thus, socks are a picture of baby socks, cup a sippy cup, face, hands and feet a baby's face, hands and feet. It links things Alexis experiences to the words that we use for them.

Honorable Mention: Hello, Texas! I haven't purchased this book yet, but I have it on a wish list. Any child born in Texas must have a book on Texas. This fun illustrated book introduces a baby to the famous and historical places of Texas. I can't wait to read it to Alexis!

So, what books does or did your little one enjoy at 0-12 months?