Introducing books to babies under 12 months old.

At this age, your baby's vision has developed to the point where they can recognize quite a few images. You'll have fun introducing your baby to simple illustrations and bold photographs — if you can get him to sit still, that is.

Older babies are always on the move, and they love to grab books and turn the pages. That's why experts suggest that you read to babies this age in three-minute increments several times throughout the day. That way you won't have to fight for your 8-month-old's attention.

Read on for suggestions of the best books for under 12 months olds.

	Baby’s Very First Touchy-Feely series – Stella Baggott This bold, bright book for babies contains beautifully designed high-contrast images that are easy for newborn babies to focus on as well as touchy-feely patches to bring the pictures to life.
	Dear Zoo – Rod Campbell This classic lift-the-flap book has been a favourite with toddlers ever since it was first published it is perfect for little hands.
	Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes & other Baby Board books – Annie Kubler. This award winning series has been specifically designed for babies. A great introduction to books through well-known nursery rhymes and interactive text. Singing songs and rhymes is the perfect way to bond with your baby and share quality time.
	Peekaboo Baby Faces + other Peekaboo books – Dorling Kindersley. Play peekaboo with your baby and hear them giggle in delight as hidden baby faces are revealed! Read together and lift the giant flaps to reveal delightful baby faces; then explore the soft, shiny and bumpy textures
	Rainbow Rob (Touch & Feel) – Roger Priddy A crazy, whimsical story about Rainbow Rob and his wacky, colourful friends. Featuring fun text to read and listen to, and touch-and- feel textures on every page. An ideal book to help little ones learn about colours.
	That’s Not My Dinosaur & other “That’s not my ….. “series – Fiona Watt Every double page of this book features an interesting texture to feel, such as bumpy teeth or slippery flippers, as the reader explores the surface of a toy dinosaur. Combined with simple text and illustrations this is intended to help very young children develop sensory and language awareness.
	The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle. A newly hatched caterpillar eats his way through all kinds of food, getting bigger and bigger, until eventually he turns into a beautiful caterpillar. One of the most popular picture books of all time, no nursery bookshelf is complete without a copy
	Peppa Pig: Little Library – Ladybird Little piglets will adore the Peppa Pig Little Library. It’s a charming collection of six chunky mini books, based on your favourite characters from Peppa Pig and presented in a beautiful slipcase box. The perfect gift for pre-school children and fans of the show. The backs of the six books make a jigsaw, which is perfect for little hands to play with.
	In the Night Garden: Everybody Loves the Pinky Ponk! – Collectif Take a flight on the Pinky Ponk with the Night Garden friends. Use the big tabs to turn the pages and press the sound buttons to hear all the funny noises.
	The Elephant and the Bad Baby – Elfrida Vipont & Raymond Briggs The Elephant takes the Bad Baby for a ride and they go 'rumpeta, rumpeta, rumpeta down the road.' They help themselves to ice creams, pies, buns, crisps, biscuits, lollipops and apples, and the shopkeepers follow them down the road shouting and waving. All ends well as the Bad Baby learns to say 'Please' and his mother makes pancakes for everyone.

Other books that we would recommend are:

	Buggy Buddies – Bear With A Pear & other books – Nick Sharratt Fun rhyming books which your toddler can't lose! Each spread has an animal with a household object - helping your toddler to learn about colours.
	Faces (Baby’s Very First Book) – John Fordham or other touchy-feely-crinkly-flap books. This beautifully designed high-contrast black-and-white images that are easy for babies to focus on. Each simple black-and-white image has a single splash of colour.
	Tickle Tickle – Helen Oxenbury The much-loved and cherished babies are back in these delightful stories to help engage toddlers and encourage a love of reading.

Looking for books for older children? Why not take a look at books for 1 to 2 year olds and books for 2 to 3 year olds. 

The Top Ten Books for under 12 months olds and other book are available from all good book shops as well as online at;

www.bookstore.co.uk 

www.amazon.co.uk

www.waterstones.com

www.whsmith.co.uk