No one is too young for books – yes, even your newborn baby! Even if they can’t talk yet, much less read, reading them books this early will unlock many advantages.
Reading to your baby is a great way to give them a good start in life. It is never too early to start the habit. In fact, the earlier you begin reading the child, the more likely it is for you to stick to the routine.
However, if you find the first days with your baby to be too full and hectic, it’s completely fine to start at a time when you have adjusted to the new lifestyle. What’s important is the effort you make to connect to your baby.
The Advantages of Reading to Your Baby
Reading makes magic! Here are a few of the benefits of reading to your newborn baby:
1. Reading boosts mental development.
Your newborn baby may not understand the words that you are saying, but the books that you are reading are already helping them form language skills, listening skills, and mental focus.
2. Reading enhances social skills.
If you make reading stories a habit, eventually, your baby will learn how to empathize with the characters. Reading helps your baby develop their emotional intelligence as early as now.
3. Reading is one of the best ways to bond with your baby.
Reading to your baby is an excellent way to form a strong bond. Your voice is the most comforting sound to your baby’s ears, and hearing you read fascinating stories will calm and soothe them.
Everybody benefits by reading, and your newborn baby will take great pleasure in listening to you. Make the most out of reading by getting these classic story books that should be in your baby’s library.
10 Classic Children’s Books for Your Newborn Baby
1. “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch
There is only a handful of parents who don’t get weepy and sentimental after reading this book. “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch is the story of a mother and her son, detailing their relationship from childhood until the latter becomes a parent himself.
2. “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss
Teach your newborn baby about life and its challenges with this classic Dr. Seuss book. “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” is one of the most popular children’s books. It follows the journey of its protagonist, who travels through several places, exploring and discovering different things as he goes.
3. “The Runaway Bunny” by Margaret Wise Brown
This book by Margaret Wise Brown is both a moving children’s book and an inspiring parenting book. “The Runaway Bunny” is a book about a bunny who wants to run away. His mother rabbit, however, runs away with him, accompanying him to places until he eventually decides to stay home.
4. “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown
The second Margaret Wise Brown book on this list, this book is a classic bedtime story. “Goodnight Moon” is a story about a bunny doing his bedtime ritual and saying goodnight to everything he sees. What’s great about this book is that it teaches a lot of vocabulary words and introduces the idea of a bedtime routine.
5. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle
Written by Eric Carle, this book is very popular among little readers. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is about a newly hatched caterpillar who loves to eat. He overeats for days, gets a stomach ache, recovers, spins a cocoon around himself, and finally emerges as a beautiful butterfly.
6. “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
If you want to introduce the concept of letters to your baby, then this book by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault should be on your shelf. “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” features humanized lowercase letters climbing a coconut tree. They eventually fall from the tree and were rescued by the uppercase letters.
7. “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney
This thought-provoking work by Sam McBratney is a multi-awarded children’s book. “Guess How Much I Love You” is about the story of two hares, Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare. They have a little competition about how much they love each other, with quantities going bigger and bigger.
8. “Corduroy” by Don Freeman
This children’s book, written by Don Freeman, has captured many hearts. “Corduroy” tells the story of a teddy bear on a toy shelf in a store named Corduroy who has a missing button. Eventually, he gets bought by a little girl who then sews a button on his overalls, saying that she has always wanted a friend.
9. “On the Night You Were Born” by Nancy Tillman
The enchanting tale by Nancy Tillman will bring you back to the time when your baby was born. “On the Night You Were Born” is a poignant book that celebrates the birth of a child. The touching story, as well as the delightful illustrations, is guaranteed to make anyone feel special.
10. “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak
Finally, written by Maurice Sendak, “Where the Wild Things Are” is about a boy named Max who gets sent to bed without supper after acting naughtily. He soon finds himself in an island inhabited by wild creatures. He enjoys it there but ultimately decides to return home, finding a hot meal waiting for him.
With these classic books on your baby’s first bookshelves, you are definitely nurturing your little bookworm. What books are currently in your library?