What to Read to Your Baby During Their First Year 

You likely know that reading to babies is good for their development . . . but do you know exactly why that is? The benefits of reading to and with your infant are significant. According to the Cleveland Clinic, reading boosts language skills as it introduces baby to a more complex vocabulary and language than they might hear in day-to-day conversation. It's also a great way to bond by giving your baby individualized, close attention and establishes a routine, which young children thrive off of. Emotional learning is yet another benefit of reading with a baby. Watching an adults' facial reactions in response to the story gives baby something to imitate. "Your baby mimics your expressions and the sounds you make. That helps with early brain development," said pediatrician Sarah Klein, MD in an interview with the Cleveland Clinic.

The National Center For Family Literacy offers a comprehensive tip sheet for what kinds of books to choose for babies at different phases. According to their guidance, infants will benefit from books with simple images set against a contrasting background. Vary your selections between wordless picture books, which infants may enjoy looking at, and those with short sentences for their parent or caretaker to read. Soft vinyl books, hard cardboard books, and books with pop-up or fold-out pages are likely to hold baby's interest.

Looking to fill your baby's library with books that will encourage development, and they'll reach for again and again? Here, eight picks to get you started:

1. Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. with illustrations by Eric Carle. 2007. The story of a mother bear and cub's bond is filled with repetition and Eric Carle's iconic illustrations.
2. Look! Look! by Peter Linenthal. 1998. A high-contrast, black and white board book that will appeal to an infant's developing eyes.
3. Where Is Little Fish? by Lucy Cousins. 2018. A fun, hide-and-seek flap book with playful and bright illustrations offers an interactive element ideal for slightly older babies.
4. Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton. 2015. The charming repeat of "Oh no, George!" as the pup causes mayhem, paired with vibrant illustrations makes this a baby-pleaser.
5. Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt. 2001 edition. With a different tactile experience on each page, and a sweet story, Pat the Bunny is a classic for a reason. This one has been enjoyed for generations, and we suspect it will continue to do so.
6. Welcome: A Mo Willems Guide for New Arrivals by Mo Willems. 2017. Best known for his Knuffle Bunny and Elephant and Piggy series, Mo Willems' first book geared towards the youngest readers (and listeners) introduces baby to all the joys in life that they have to look forward to. Super sweet.
7. First 100 Words in English and Spanish by Ana Godinez. 2019. A bright and colorful primer for bilingual babes.
8. Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton. 1993. No one does baby lit quite like Sandra Boynton, whose sing-songy prose and sweet illustrations deserve a substantial amount of real estate on the nursery bookshelf.