So when should you start sharing books with your child? Some parents read to their babies in the womb, while a leading literary expert, when asked the same question, once joked, “Honey, I’ll spare you the delivery — but on the way back.”
Here’s why it’s never too early to start reading to your baby.
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Reading to Your Baby
Reading a story is a wonderful way of talking to and playing with your baby. It gives them an early introduction to communication and social skills, and you’re giving them one of the most precious gifts of all — your time.
Bath books, board books and touch-and-feel books are a great way to introduce your new baby to reading. They can chew, splash and explore as they begin the early process of learning to love books. At this age, books should ideally have big, bright, bold colours and clear, uncluttered pictures.
You can extend the fun by making sounds, using facial expressions and gesturing to show size and movement. Even very young babies respond by holding the book, pointing at pictures that catch their eye, and — of course — having a good chew too.
Recommended Books for 0–6 Months
#### Ducky’s Bathtime by Lucy Cousins (Picture Book)
Oh, goody! Hooray! It’s bathtime today! Quack! Quack! Quack!
Join Ducky for bathtime fun! This waterproof adventure is the perfect book for bathtime, high chair fun and life on the go.
Buy Ducky’s Bathtime on Tarabookco.ie
#### Guess How Much I Love You by Anita Jeram (Board Book)
“I love you right up to the moon — and back.”
The story of Little and Big Nutbrown Hares’ efforts to express their love for each other has become a publishing phenomenon, selling more than fifteen million copies worldwide.
Buy Guess How Much I Love You on Tarabookco.ie
Reading to Your 6–18 Month Old
Picture books with short text, lift-the-flap books and nursery rhymes are ideal for 6–18 months. Pick books that are well illustrated and ones you’ll enjoy too — playing and reading shouldn’t be confined to certain places or times. Books can be enjoyed everywhere: the bathroom, the bedroom, the playroom, even the car.
The physical closeness of your baby sitting on your lap while you read aloud is a reassuring and pleasurable experience for both of you. Children can experience worlds and lives beyond their own through stories, which helps them cope with different emotions, such as fear and anxiety, while feeling safe and secure.
You can help your baby link the pictures to the text and the spoken word by pointing, asking and answering questions. Predicting what will happen next adds excitement to the story. Be sure to praise them when they point to a picture, turn a page, or try to copy your sounds.
Rhymes are an essential part of early literacy development — repetition helps children memorise sounds and words. They build listening skills, lengthen attention span, and stretch the imagination.
Recommended Books for 6–18 Months
#### I Kissed the Baby by Mary Murphy (Picture Book)
All the animals love the baby — and so will you!
“I saw the baby! Did you see the baby?” “Yes! I saw the baby, the teeny, weeny thing.” “I tickled the baby! Did you tickle the baby?” “Yes! I tickled the baby, the wriggly, giggly thing!” Join in the fun with this shout-out-loud picture book for the very youngest children.
Buy I Kissed The Baby on Tarabookco.ie
#### Bedtime Rhymes (Board Book)
Usborne’s Bedtime Rhymes is a lovely book to share at bedtime. Featuring six rhymes by Sam Taplin with artwork by Anna Luraschi, it’s designed to help babies and young children settle down and get cosy at the end of a long day.
Buy Bedtime Rhymes on Tarabookco.ie
A Lifelong Love of Reading
Developing a love of books with your very young child doesn’t just give them a lifelong love of reading — early introduction to books is widely recognised as giving children an advantage at school with vocabulary, literacy, comprehension, numeracy and social skills.
Try to read to your baby every day, even if only for a few minutes. Revisit favourites from the picks above, mix in new discoveries from your local library or bookshop, and most of all — have fun with it.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 32 Fun Nursery Rhyme Activities for Toddlers
Frequently Asked Questions
What age should I start reading to my baby?
There’s no such thing as too early. Many parents read aloud during pregnancy, and from birth, babies benefit from hearing your voice, seeing bold pictures, and sharing that close, calm time together with a book.
How long should a reading session be with a young baby?
A few minutes is plenty, especially in the early months. What matters most is consistency — a short daily habit builds far more than one long, occasional session.
What kind of books are best for newborns and very young babies?
Look for bath books, board books, and touch-and-feel books with big, bold colours and simple, uncluttered pictures. Durability matters too, since younger babies will happily chew, bash and splash their books as part of exploring them.
How can I keep a 6–18 month old engaged with a book?
Point at pictures, ask simple questions, make sounds and use facial expressions. Lift-the-flap books and nursery rhymes work particularly well at this stage, and letting your baby sit close on your lap makes the whole experience more reassuring and enjoyable.
Related Articles
- 10 Wonderful Reasons to Read to Your Kids
- 32 Fun Nursery Rhyme Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
- Fun Ways to Build Early Literacy Skills at Home
Before You Go
Enjoyed these book picks? Browse our other reading and learning ideas for babies and toddlers, and save this article to come back to as your little one grows.
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