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Best Books For Children + Learning The Love of Reading
Love of Reading
Are you like me and did you grow up loving to read books as a child? That was my favorite gift of all time for birthdays, holidays and the like and it made for some easy shopping for my parents and grandparents. They knew what would bring a big smile to my face!
What could be easier than looking at a variety of titles and buying books? There are countless ones for children of all ages.
There are numerous choices to be made by way of providing gifts which have lasting value. Baby books come in all types of materials. For babies who cannot yet read they can still have the enjoyment of holding a soft book and having a loved one read to them while cuddling them and spending some quality time.
Baby Shower Books
Purchasing books can begin long before that little bundle of joy arrives on the scene. Often baby showers are thrown for the expectant parents to be.
What better gift could be given to them than a baby shower book? In that special little book records of everything can be kept for posterity. Who were in attendance at that baby shower? What gifts were given and by whom? What transpired at that party making it a special day to remember?
Pictures could be included in this baby shower book to create lasting memories for the future. Long after many of the other gifts are used and forgotten this baby shower book will remain to be a cherished part of that particular baby shower celebration. It is fun looking at the one made up when my husband was a baby. It is much like opening a time capsule from many years ago.
Baby Brag Books
Now that the baby has arrived this is another time that the parents would be very happy to receive a gift from you that has some special meaning. Obviously they will want to keep those new baby photos in a special place.
Often referred to as a baby brag book these little gifts will house special photos for years to come. These memory books can be taken with them to show off their darling little baby girl or boy to people who may not get to see every cute move that they are making or show just how much they have grown.
You cannot go wrong by giving parents or even grandparents a baby photo book as a gift that will become a cherished possession for many years to come as they fill in the pages. We still have the one my mother-in-law made for her son. It is cute to look back at the vintage cards and other mementos kept within those pages. It is also a reminder of the important people both relatives and friends that were a part of their lives during that momentous time.
Reading to Babies
As most people know it is important to start talking and reading to one's baby early on in their development. It is amazing but it has been proven that their little minds absorb new information just like little sponges. Even while still in the womb these little babies can hear things. A mother's or father's voice reading to them can be a wonderful time of bonding.
Children who are spoken to with real adult words have a head start on others who do not have that same interaction with people in their lives. So use this precious time to talk to your infant and growing baby wisely.
A love of reading can also be instilled into them which will help them once they start going to school and also influence them positively the rest of their lives.
An excellent first set of books are of the soft variety. Babies cannot accidentally hurt themselves with cloth baby books. Cloth or soft plastic baby books will be a toy for them at first but an interactive one if the parent also picks it up and reads to the baby from that source.
Soft baby books make excellent choices as a gift to that new baby from parents, older brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents and also friends of the family.
Personalized Baby Books
Would you like to make an extra special impression on the parents of a baby when giving them a gift for their child? Why not go to the extra effort to choose personalized books for that special little one?
Not only will the parents like that extra show of effort on your part to make this gift really special but the baby will like being read to from that special book which will undoubtedly become a keepsake item.
Baby Picture Books
For parents as well as other relatives and friends who wish to have some playful fun with the baby think of buying some baby picture books which can help teach the child shapes, colors and names of things. It can provide great interactive fun.
When reading to and playing with that special baby be prepared for lots of smiles and laughter.
Many Types of Books For Little Ones
When it comes to purchasing baby books there are countless types of books for children as well as fun titles from which to choose.
Just take a look at baby board books and sets of baby books as well as those that make sounds to see what I mean!
For the person wishing to give a gift that will have lasting significance in a little tyke's life and help to positively advance his or her development think of buying books for children.
Those early baby books are probably the most important of them all. It will always be high on my list when it comes to giving gifts to children and their parents.
Do you like purchasing baby books for gifts?
© 2010 Peggy Woods
Comments are welcomed.
AUTHORHi Roberta,
I couldn't agree with you more. Reading to children and having them learn how to read is vital.
In opposition to the idea that children should be lied to about the realities of life in this fallen world C. S. Lewis wrote "...Since it is so likely that they will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage...." Reading is so important to the growth of children, but oh let the reading be worthy of all of their God-given potential! :)
- AUTHOR
Hi Patricia,
Instilling the love of reading to youngsters is giving them one of the best long-lasting gifts that anyone can possibly do. Just think of the children's lives that you have influenced over the years! You can be proud of that.
Spot on---reading to and with children fills their brains with images and ideas that usually last a lifetime From my earliest years my Momma held me on her lap and read to me every day No doubt that is how my passion and love for words and reading involved And why I spend most of the 42 years as a teacher was sharing my love of reading with children The eighth graders loved being read to as much as the kinders did Well done Angels are on the way this morning ps
- AUTHOR
Hi C E Clark,
It is wonderful that you started reading so early in your daughter's life and instilled a love of reading in her.
It continues to rain off and on here in Houston and is so humid and muggy feeling outside. At least we are not experiencing flooding like in other areas of our state. I feel so sorry for those people who are affected! Our state has certainly had its flooding events in the last several years! Hope you are well.
I know I've commented on this article before, but I don't see the comment here.
I think reading is a great way for parents and children to spend time together. It's also a good way to wind down at the end of the day with some quiet time together that helps children prepare for bedtime.
Started reading to my daughter when she was 2 weeks old, yes 2 weeks. She was a high need baby (cried continually) and reading together even at only 2 weeks, was one way that would take her attention away from crying. She loved reading even that early in her life. She liked watching football on TV with her father too, and that would usually quiet the crying also.
As you know, I homeschooled her, and she was reading second grade level on her own at age 4. Every morning she would start the day by choosing several books from her very extensive personal library and read them aloud. This was her idea and it allowed me to have some time to myself and know that so long as I could hear her reading that she was all right.
Reading is a good habit to encourage children to cultivate and for one to develop in oneself as well. There is no limit to the knowledge one can gain if one can read and enjoys doing so.
The rain here is to stop finally while still staying cool. It remains to be seen if their forecast will be correct, as it rarely does. Hope you are well.
- AUTHOR
Hi Ethel,
It is important for parents to encourage children to read and one of the best ways is by example when they are older. When young, parents should make reading to their children a regular habit and fun bonding time. Children will eventually want to do it on their own.
Some great ideas. I think it is good to encourage parents to keep hard copies of their children’s lives. Who knows what may happen to digital memories. I hope young parents still value books and reading for their kids.
- AUTHOR
Hi Patricia,
Like you I love the feel and even smell of real books. Online books have their place but turning the pages of a book held in one's hands will always appeal to people. It is great that there are so many options to nurture the love of reading in youngsters. Sending greetings and good wishes your way today!
Isn't it wonderful that there are so many types of books that can be given to foster the love of reading. Even in the world of today when so much is on line one of my preferred gifts to receive and give is a book. Thank you for sharing such helpful suggestions. Angels once again headed your way ps
- AUTHOR
I agree with you Jackie in that reading is so very important. Like you I grew up with a love of reading and holding books in my hands. Holding real books is still my preference.
There are many children's books I still love to read. I used to read the Little House books every winter and although the first couple of books are really childish I have to read them to get the whole story from the start!
I hope children will never stop reading physical books!
- AUTHOR
Hi Roberta,
I have now given most of my childhood books away to be shared with others. I still have an old Jack London book dating back to the past but that is about it. Encouraging children to read is one of the best gifts a parent can give to their children. It is one that will last a lifetime!
Though Christmas is a really good opportunity, it's never a wrong time to discuss the importance of books for little ones. So glad to see this useful post. As a child I was given one book (that I still have), but had access to a library off and on. Even a little exposure can give a child the important gift of learning to love reading. The memories I have of my children delighting in their story books, then the Tales of Narnia, then Tolkien's work, then... all leading to the even more crucial reading that helped them become thinking adults are priceless, something I wish for every parent.
- AUTHOR
Always Optimist,
In the beginning it is not so much a specific book that is needed. It is the fact of a parent reading to a child and pointing out colors, shapes and names of things. A magazine with colorful photos could be used for that. As soon as they are old enough kids like having their own books and like repetitive story telling. It is one way that they learn. Thanks for your comment and votes.
Baby books are very useful memories. I didn't have any baby book growing up but when i would have children then surely I would go for one for my baby and I am going to keep pictures and also i am going to get lots of story books for them for sure. Very interesting read. voting up and awesome and useful
- AUTHOR
Hi moonlake,
That sounds like a great idea! Perhaps you can fill in many of the names and dates for her before you give it to her as a gift just like your mother-in-law did. Thanks for your comment, pin and the share.
- AUTHOR
Hi Marilyn Kee,
Am sure that these types of books would be welcomed at that baby shower! Thanks for your comment...and have fun at that shower! :)
- AUTHOR
Hello Lastheart,
So glad that you liked this. Books are so important and should be encouraged at an early age. Thanks for your comment, share and the pin.
- AUTHOR
Hello virtualit,
I am glad that you found this interesting and informative. Thanks for your comment.
My granddaughter's baby shower is next month and I am going to look for a baby book for her with the family tree in it. My husband's mother had a family tree in his baby and it helped me get started with genealogy for his family. She had filled it all in. Pin this to my baby board and shared.
- AUTHOR
Hi Don,
Am sure that your children enjoyed their mother reading to them. Not only was it a good bonding experience, but kids soak up information like little sponges! Am sure that they loved the stories you wrote for them! That is nice that your turtle hub book is getting lots of attention and views. Appreciate your comment and the shares.
- AUTHOR
Hi Mary,
You should write a hub about making those books for your children. I'll bet that many people would like following your ideas and making them for their own children. Hopefully you have access to one that you can take photos of it. Thanks for your comment and the shares! :)
- AUTHOR
Hi Indian Chef,
Glad that this hub brought back childhood memories of the books you had at the time. Thanks for your comment and the share.
Very true. I shall keep this in mind when it comes to baby shower!
Very good hub. Another to be shared and Pin to my collection.
informative and useful topic! voting up! thanks
Hi Peggy, My wife read to the kids when they were young but I don't know what influence it had but I am sure it was a good thing. I had a friedn who was a philosophy major and said he was going to read Plato to his kids when they were babies. I don't know if he did, but it is more likely that his wife, who was a teacher, probably made the choices about it.
I noticed that the children's stories I posted on hubpages has one that stands out over the others for traffic. It is one about a turtle. I don't know why.
Sor grandchildren are now entering the adult world. Who she read what to babies could soon be their concern.
Voted up and across. share on facebook and followers.
Your photo of the child on the toilet sure brought back memories for me. I spent many hours in the bathroom with my little ones reading to them while I waited for them to "perform".
I made a baby book for each of my four children, and they still enjoy looking through them. I enclosed a lock of their hair and their first tooth they lost.
Wonderful Hub. Voted UP and shared all around.
Peggy very interesting reading. When we were kids India didn't have big markets on anything so the books which were available were limited and we grew only on local books but now all books are available in supermarkets. But this hub did take me back and made me think of books I had as a kid and all those poem books and colouring books came to my mind. Voting it up , awesome, interesting and sharing here on hubpages.
- AUTHOR
Hi Suzanne,
At a certain age the Dr. Seuss books are very engaging I think because of the rhyming and fun topics. I know that my niece liked them when she was young. Thanks for your comment and votes.
Dr. Seuss is always a good choice. Some of my favorite kids' read-aloud books are the Frog and Toad series. I cannot count the number of times I have given Frog and Toad as a gift. Kids love to hear these stories read aloud from the age of 3 until 8 or even 10. They are easy to understand, engaging, clever and funny! :) Voted up and useful!
- AUTHOR
Hi again Madhavigk,
This is so true! I was the eldest child and had 2 younger brothers. I remember reading to them as a child and we all grew up loving to read books and other written media. Of course for me, it started with my parents and even grandparents reading to me. The bonding experience is another good reason to share the love of reading with kids. Excellent point!
I would also like to add that it is a good idea to have older siblings read out stories to smaller kids. My brother did that for me when I was young and till today, we both are voracious readers and keep exchanging our books. This increases the bonding between siblings. In fact my earliest memory is of my bro reading out to me from a picture book, and we have been members of a neighbourhood library for as long as I can remember!
- AUTHOR
Hello Madhavigk,
So happy to hear that you found this hub of some use. Children need encouragement from their parents in order to develop a love of reading. It can positively affect the rest of their lives. Thanks for your comment.
- AUTHOR
Hi Brett,
As you can probably tell, I am a lover of books and like you said " Some preserve precious memories, while others help to open young minds." Well stated! Thanks for your comment, votes and the shares.
Very interesting gift ideas! Definitely something that I can use! Thanks! :)
Some very good suggestions here. Some preserve precious memories, while others help to open young minds.
Shared, tweeted, up and useful.
- AUTHOR
Hi Rajan,
Yes...there are even parenting type books for new parents who may not be getting advice from older relatives in their family for one reason or another. The focus of this hub of course is the importance of reading to young children from the earliest days going forward so that they will love reading as it impacts so much of their life. Thanks for the votes and share.
Very useful and informative hub. I can understand the need and importance of baby books for the parents as well as the baby. And a pretty wide variety of these books are available.
Thanks for sharing this Peggy. Voted up, useful and shared.
- AUTHOR
Hi Vinaya,
One can never start too soon in gifting babies with books. Reading to children prior to them being able to do it by themselves can be a great bonding experience for the child and the parent. Thanks for your comment.
I have some relatives who are raising babies. Thanks for sharing your wonderful idea. I'm sure when I gift them baby books they will be happy.
- AUTHOR
Hi torrilynn,
Nice to know that you liked the selection of books for babies and their parents. Reading is so important a skill to be learned at an early age. Thanks for your comment.
- AUTHOR
Hi moonlake,
Nice to know that you have kept those children's books that can now be passed along to your granddaughter to be shared with her soon to be born baby. That is nice! Teaching a love of reading can never be started too soon. Thanks for your votes and the share.
Hi PeggyW,
thanks for sharing about what are really good books
for children and for picking books that are fun and yet
educational. thanks again and Voted up
Our kids always had lots of books and we always read to them. Our granddaughter is expecting in Aug so I have to find some of her books I have packed away here so she will have them for the baby. Very useful hub. Voted up and shared.
- AUTHOR
Hi Stacy,
Obviously I agree with you in that books make GREAT GIFTS for babies and children as they grow. My love of reading was instilled at an early age and I was always excited to see what new books I would be getting for both my birthday and at Christmas-time. Sounds like your kids have also been encouraged to read because of the many books in your home. It serves them well in school and in life.
My oldest daughter is 10. When I was pregnant with her, my mom threw me a baby shower and in place of a card, she asked everybody to bring a book that they signed to be given to the baby. It was the best idea ever. We have a collection of books that have been passed down from child to child. Ironically, my oldest also has a love for reading because of that! We had a collection right away. You can never go wrong with books as a gift! :)
- AUTHOR
Hi Nicole S,
I totally agree with you. Books are a great gift idea for babies, toddlers, tweens, teens and beyond. People who grow up reading books tend to excel in other areas of their lives as well. Learning how to read is an essential building block for life...but also one of life's pleasures. Thanks for your comment.
Books are very important for little ones. It's how they can learn to develop, imagine, and process stories and logic. Wonderful hub!
- AUTHOR
Hi xethonxq,
Obviously I agree with you. Thanks for your comment.
Love the suggestions...extremely useful. Books should be the cornerstone of every kid's childhood!! :)
- AUTHOR
Hi Gail,
You sound like me when growing up as a child. Books were my favorite type of gift and I love giving them as well. Thanks for your comment and votes.
Great hub with a lot of gift ideas. I particularly liked the personalized books.
My mother read to me so much as a small child that I learned how to read through just being read to. I've always loved books and give them frequently as gifts.
Will bookmark this hub. Thanks for sharing this information. Voted up across the board except for funny.
- AUTHOR
Hello sherrylou57,
Nice that you are reading to babies and introducing them to the joy of books. Happy New Year to you also!
I love reading to babies, thank you for sharing this hub, babies are beautiful! Happy New Year!!
- AUTHOR
Hello Cheryl,
As you said, reading to children and even babies is important. Glad that you liked this selection of best books easily purchased online for those who wish to avoid the crowds in stores this time of year. Thanks!
Reading to babies are a valuable tool. You have displayed a great variety of choices for children books. Great photos and video of reading to babies.
- AUTHOR
Hello Manuals Today,
Thanks! Glad you liked this best books for children and baby books hub about buying books online in order to help them as they grow and mature.
Very good books arrangement.
- AUTHOR
Hello vee1477,
Congratulations on having a newborn baby! You can start him or her off right by reading to your baby from those soft books. Enjoy your new bundle of joy to the fullest. Thanks for the comment.
I have a newborn thanks for this.
- AUTHOR
Hi Micky,
Glad that you liked this suggestion of buying books online for children and babies. They really make great gifts. Thanks for the comment.
Great gifts! Thank you Dear Peggy!
- AUTHOR
Hi Prasetio,
Buying books online is so convenient and as you said one can see comparisons of the baby books and books for children easily. Sometimes they are good bargains also! One can avoid all the crowds and shop at one's convenience. Thanks for the comment. I also thought those baby photos were cute.
I love kids and babies. You give us many choice for children book and baby book. I thought buying all these books online is a good choice. We can see many option before make the decision. I want have this one. Thank you very much. I love the pictures....so cute. Rating up!
Prasetio:)
- AUTHOR
Hi Hello, hello,
Glad you liked this hub about the best books for children, especially baby books that can be purchased online or in stores. I had some fun finding cute baby pictures to put in this hub. Thanks for the comment.
You've made a wonderful choice and I am sure children will enjoy them. Thank you for a lovely hub
- AUTHOR
Hello lyjo,
Nice of you to share your favorite children's book title with us. I also agree with you that baby and children's books make great gifts! Thanks for the comment and votes. Appreciate it.
- AUTHOR
Hi Billy,
I always loved giving gifts of books to children starting from the first soft baby ones and going on up the line as they aged. It is so important to (hopefully) instill a love of reading. I know that I always LOVED getting books as gifts when I was a child. Fun for you to see some familiar ones here! Thanks for the comment.
- AUTHOR
Hello sarovai,
Yes...there surely are a great number of good baby books for children and their parents which can be purchased online. Makes shopping easy! Thanks for the first comment.
Great assortment of books....and always a great gift children & parents....one of my favorites is "Love You Forever" Till this day I cannot get through it without shedding a tear! It was always one of my children's favorites as well...thanks, take care! Voted up & useful!
You bring back lots of great memories with the best books for children Peggy - many familiar books - rated up with an awesome for that !
You shared a number of choices for baby books. This will be useful for one and all parents. Thank u for sharing.
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