~post by Meghan G.
As the children’s book buyer for the store, I obviously love children’s books, but 2013 brought children’s books to life for me in a new way. This was my first full year of sharing books with my own son, and it was really wonderful to share my love of stories with him and see his responses change and grow over time.
We’ve been reading stories together every day since we brought him home from the hospital. Based on our experience, I wanted to share some of the books that have been the most successful for my family over the last 16 months. There are many more books that we have loved, but here are some of the highlights.
0-3 months: Anything goes!
At this age, he was a captive little audience. High contrast and brightly colored illustrations definitely held his eye. And he enjoyed listening for longer periods of time than he would when he got a older, so I would even read to him out of longer books like A Child’s Garden of Verses or Winnie-the-Pooh.
I also remember him really staring at the vibrant illustrations in Waking Dragons and the high contrast art in Black & White.
4-7 months: Can I touch that?
Around 4 months he started wanting to touch books, holding them on his lap and experimenting with turning pages. He particularly loved touching the holes in the pages of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and the touch-and-feel elements of The Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings. And right at 5 months, his full on, crazy obsession with crinkle books began.
Goodnight Moon: As ubiquitous as this simple title is, I can genuinely say it has not been overhyped. My son instantly reacted to its gentle text and it continues to be a part of our calming bedtime ritual.
Other Recommendations for 4-7 months:
Simple story and high contrast art: Owl Babies
Fascinating baby faces: Mrs. Mustard’s Baby Faces
Funny and repetitive: But Not the Hippopotamus and Moo, Baa, La La La
Small and simple: Bright Baby First Words
Small and simple: Bright Baby First Words
8-12 months: Really listening now!
Around this age he started responding more to story cadence. Stories with repetitive structures like Is Your Mama a Llama and Pete the Cat really started holding his attention.
Special Note: This is not a book, but it does have a story as part of it. I have to say that of all the toys he’s gotten, these nesting blocks have probably gotten the most use– for the thrill of learning to put things inside other things, for the novelty of crawling while sliding blocks in his hands, and now the joy of making towers and knocking them down. I can’t recommend them enough!
Other Recommendations:
A dose of imagination: The Cinder-Eyed Cats
13-15 months: I Know A Lot!
His attention span really lengthened and he started liking books with more interaction like We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and funny concepts like Bark George.
Anything with animals: At least in our house, animals are a huge deal. Books with lots of different animals like Little Blue Truck; I Spy with My Little Eye; and Creature ABC became endlessly interesting.
Wordless Adventure: Goodnight, Gorilla
16 months and beyond!
Along with all the books from this list that we continue to enjoy, Christmas has brought our house many more literary treasures including the dazzling delights of Tails, the classics Caps for Sale and The Snowy Day, and the beautiful A Book of Sleep.
We are are also working on introducing concepts with I Know a Lot, Big and Small, and Where is the Green Sheep.
We can’t wait to get started. So from our house to yours, here’s to a rewarding year of reading together!
BookPeople 
Awww what cutie he is.
Great titles! I’d throw a bit of Sandra Boynton in there though…. so LOVE her books…especially those with Little Pookie.
These are some great recommendations! I’ll have to bookmark this for my nephew. Meanwhile, I’ll be looking forward to the next age groups up (you’re planning to do those posts, right?) for my own kids.