It really is never too soon to share a book with your baby. Babies respond to the sound of the central voices in their life and to the rhythm of the words long before they understand the story or focus on pictures. Choose books with words that sound good, such as splish splash or cock-a-doodle-doo, or words that rhyme and so will almost sing in your babies' ears! For very young babies look for clear, bright illustrations and then move on to the wonderful books of Janet and Allan Ahlberg, introduce characters such as Spot and choose interactive books such as Rod Campbell's Dear Zoo. Books for babies are about fun and sharing them is a pleasure for child and adult.

Who Says Woof? » John Butler A lovely question and answer board book that introduces animals and their noises - never a quiet book to share!

The Baby's Catalogue » Allan Ahlberg
» Janet Ahlberg Packed full with the paraphernalia of baby stuff that will be familiar - great to talk about.

Babysitter Bear » Catherine & Laurence Anholt A gentle well-observed book about new babies and babysitters - a good first story.

Where's Spot (board book) » Eric Hill One of the classic lift-the-flap board books of childhood - children love looking for Spot long after they know exactly where he is!

Dear Zoo
» Rod Campbell Another interactive book - hugely popular as the flaps are lifted and the perfect pet is found.

Faster, Faster! Nice and Slow! » Nick Sharratt
» Sue Heap Good text and wild pictures in this book offer a fun way to learn about opposites.

A Goodnight Kind of Feeling » Tony Bradman This story of a day out with dad is told in a playful, rhyming text - there's plenty to look at and talk about in the pictures too.

Each Peach Pear Plum » Allan Ahlberg
» Janet Ahlberg An all time favourite as children love looking for the nursery rhyme and traditional story characters in the pictures - there's a good rhyming text as well.