DO Try This at Home! Storytimes for your Baby or Toddler. Part 1 – The Books

Submitted by CCCL_ElayneP

In this 3-part series, you'll discover tips to help you practice Storytimes at home. Reading, talking, singing, and playing are the best ways to develop early literacy skills which help your child get ready to read when the time comes. This should start when they are brand new. Pick a time of day when your baby is fed and well-rested and give them your personal version of Storytime, including songs, bouncespeek-a-boo and reading their favorite books. So warm up those vocal cords, grab some books and get ready for fun with your little one!  

For Part 1 of this series, we provide information for choosing the books and some specific book recommendations. Be sure to take a look at our library website’s Early Literacy page for more great information and ideas. 

Books (Reading/Talking) For babies and toddlers ages 0-2, enjoy small board books with thick, sturdy pages. Choose books with simple black and white illustrations or bright colors that engage those new eyes. Try books with pictures of babies, familiar objects, and of people doing familiar things. Point and name objects and activities with enthusiasmBabies and toddlers enjoy books with simple rhymes, predictable text and lift-the-flap features. Let these be bonding moments--relaxing and holding baby comfortably so they feel a positive and nurturing connection with you while you instill a love of reading. Here are a few favorites available for check out at our libraries: 

Bath! Bath! Bath!JPB Florian
Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? - JPB Martin
Can you say it, too? (series) Hoot! Hoot! - JPB Braun
Dear Zoo – JPB Campbell
Early bird – JPB Yuly
First 100 words – JPB First
Hello, baby animals / Hello garden bugs – JPB Mora
I love you through and through/Te quieroyo te quiero – SP JPB Rossetti-Shustak
Lois looks for Bob at the park  - JPB Turley
“More more more,” said the baby – JPB Williams
Various titles by Karen Katz – JPB Katz  

Next up...Part 2 of Storytimes for your Baby and Toddler – Bounces and Lifts!