Reading to very young children can be very beneficial for future learning. According to “Kids Health from Nemours”, reading to infants teaches them to communicate, introduces concepts, builds skills and teaches them about the world around them. However, parents and educators may have a difficult time picking just the right book for children under two. Of course, any book can keep a young child’s interest, but here are several suggestions for books that are colorful and interesting to the littlest reader.
“Mouse Count,” “Mouse Paint” and “Mouse Shapes,” three books written by Ellen Stoll Walsh, are excellent picks. These delightful books teach while staying entertaining for all ages. Walsh’s three books, featuring a group of mice, teach kids basics in an entertaining way. In “Mouse Paint” for example, three white mice are keeping themselves busy while the cat sleeps. They accidentally step in some primary colored paints, red, blue and yellow. Then they find, when mixing the colors, they can make the secondary colors purple, green and orange. In “Mouse Count” the mice are plagued by a greedy snake who is counting them as he collects them in a jar. Read this one to find out how they escape. In “Mouse Shapes,” while hiding from the cat in a pile of shapes, the mice find they can use them to make clever pictures.
Another set of books perfect for infants and toddlers are six books entitled, “Numbers,” “Food,” “Animals,” “Alphabet,” “Colors,” and “Playtime” all written by Glenn Johnston. These books are picture books with items from their particular themes. The pictures are vibrant and colorful and sure to keep the attention of the youngest of readers.
I’ve found, while teaching infants and toddlers, that these particular books draw their attention again and again. All 9 books are also available in the cardboard “chunky” style so they are more durable for little destructive fingers. Start your child or charge off on the right track by starting out their interest in quality literature early.
Source: Laura L. Bailet, PhD, “Reading Books to Babies”, Kids Health from Nemours