Choosing Books for Babies and Toddlers
 

For Babies 0-6 Months

• Books with simple, large pictures or designs with bright colors.
  
  
• Stiff cardboard, "chunky" books, or fold out books that can be propped up in the crib.
  
  
• Cloth and soft vinyl books with simple pictures of people or familiar objects that can go in the bath or get washed.

For Babies 6-12 Months

• Board books with photos of other babies.
  
  
• Brightly colored "chunky" board books to touch and taste!
  
  
• Books with photos of familiar objects like balls and bottles.
  
  
• Books with sturdy pages that can be propped up or spread out in the crib or on a blanket.
  
  
• Plastic/vinyl books for bath time.
  
  
• Washable cloth books to cuddle and mouth.
  
  
• Small plastic photo albums of family and friends.

For Young Toddlers 12-24 Months

• Sturdy board books that they can carry.
  
  
• Books with photos of children doing familiar things like sleeping or playing.
  
  
• Goodnight books for bed time.
  
  
• Books about saying good-bye and hello.
  
  
• Books with only a few words on each page.
  
  
• Books with brightly colored, engaging illustrations.
  
  
• Books with simple rhymes or predictable text.
  
  
• Touch-and-feel books.
  
  
• Animal books of all sizes and shapes.

For Older Toddlers 24-36 Months

• Books that tell simple stories.
  
  
• Simple rhyming books that they can memorize.
  
  
• Bed time books.
  
  
• Books about counting, the alphabet, shapes or sizes.
  
  
• Animal books, vehicle books, books about playtime.
  
  
• Pop-up books, pull-the-tab books, touch-and-feel books.
  
  
• Books with humorous pictures and words.

For Preschoolers 3-5 Years

• Books about children that look and live like them, as well as about children living very different lives.
  
  
• Counting books or other "concept" books about things like size or time.
  
  
• Simple "science" books about things and how they work—like garbage trucks, flowers or tools.
  
  
• Books about things in which they have a special interest in such as trains, animals or cooking.
  
  
• Books about making friends.  (Also books about dealing with the challenges of friendships—making up after an argument, dealing with a bossy friend, etc.)
  
  
• Books about going to school or to the doctor.
  
  
• Books about having brothers or sisters.
  
  
• Books with simple text that they can memorize or read!