At 5 months old, baby girl has started to take a real interest in reading books. Whether it is the bright colours, the rhyming or being able to chew on them, story time has quickly become one of our favourite activities.
We all know that reading with baby is crucial for their development, but in a sea of children's books, how do we choose the best? According to Scholastic, by 6 months of age, books should be chosen to satisfy a child's endless amount of curiosity. This includes bright pictures of interesting objects, rhyming text, reliable rhythm, activity books to encourage exploration and board books that can take a bit of a beating from chewing, pulling and tossing. As baby gets older, its important to incorporate more educational benefits including counting, ABCs, colours and shapes.
In my somewhat biased opinion, animal-related children's books are the best books to read. Here is a list of our favourites and why we love them so much.
Favourite Animal Children's Books
(from left to right in above photo)
Good Night, Gorilla
Brown Bear & Friends Board Book Gift Set
Made up of three books (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; Polar Bear, Polar Bear,What Do You Hear?; and Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?), this set explores rhyming, colours and animals.
*board book
My Heart Is Like a Zoo
The perfect bedtime story! While this story has few words, the illustrations are bright and bold, encouraging observation.
*board bookBrown Bear & Friends Board Book Gift Set
Made up of three books (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; Polar Bear, Polar Bear,What Do You Hear?; and Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?), this set explores rhyming, colours and animals.
*board book
Through the use of common animals found at a zoo, this cute book explores colours, shapers, counting and feelings. For older children, there are several craft ideas on Pinterest that can accompany this book.
*board book
Little Blue Truck
While the main character in this book is a little blue truck, he has many farm animal friends that help him along his journey. This book encourages children to explore different sounds, from trucks to animal noises, and shares the power of friendship and helping others. This is one of Morley's favourite books to read with her dad!
*board bookThe Pout-Pout Fish
In this feel good story, bright ocean colors and playful rhyme come together to share with children that its possible to turn that frown upside down.
*board book
Way Up in the Arctic
Prance and dance through the Arctic as you will learn all about the animal families that call this environment home. Set to the tune of Over in the Meadow, this interactive book makes it fun to sing along and count from one to ten with polar bears, belugas and more. Gorgeous illustrations supplement a fun blend of counting rhyme and natural history story. This book tops my list of favourites!
*hard cover
Giraffes Can't Dance
I won't lie, thanks to my postpartum hormones, this book made me cry. The animals are so mean to the giraffe in the beginning! But, I do like this book because it is a feel good story and has a good message behind it.
*board book
If You Give a Moose a Muffin
This book is great for older children because it is just a silly story with some great illustrations.
*hard cover
*hard cover
Giraffes Can't Dance
I won't lie, thanks to my postpartum hormones, this book made me cry. The animals are so mean to the giraffe in the beginning! But, I do like this book because it is a feel good story and has a good message behind it.
*board book
If You Give a Moose a Muffin
This book is great for older children because it is just a silly story with some great illustrations.
*hard cover
This book is interactive for children, with the opportunity to turn flaps to reveal pop-up surprises on every page. Children will learn the power of friendship and helping others as Oscar's friends help him search for the goldfish.
*board book
*board book
In the same series as Oscar Otter and the Goldfish, this book is interactive for children as they try to solve who splashed Polly polar bear with the help of her friends. Not to mention, it features most of mom's favourite Arctic animals!
*hard cover
*hard cover
This book takes you under the sea where cheerful Little Fish greets a variety of fish friends of all shapes, sizes and colours. This book is filled with bright colours and silly rhymes, and is the perfect book to encourage observation of colours and shapes.
*board bookYou Are My Baby: Woodland
This book is actually a little book nestles inside a bigger one. Children can help turn the pages to match the baby to their parents, and learn all about woodland animals.
*board book
Ok, so I have a confession to make. These may be MY favourite animal children's books. None the less, they are still great books that I recommend checking out for your little one.
Check out the other baby products that I've been loving lately: 1 month | 2 months | 4 months
More lessons from parenting: 10 Things I've Learned as a New Mom | Lessons From My 3 Month Old | Baby Product Fails
What are your favourite animal children's books to read to your babies? Did you have any favourite growing up?
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