As I new parent, I dreamt of reading to my little one. Holding my small baby on my lap, gazing at lovely illustrations together, while my child was hypnotized by the combination of my comforting voice and the restful sweet text of a book.
So very different from what actually happened which was a tug of war between me and a small, startlingly strong pipsqueak hellbent on inserting the book IN ITS MOUTH. I soon learned, as all new parents do, that books are meant for gumming and if a book can do double duty as reading entertainment and mouth entertainment, we’d all be happy.
When selecting first books for a brand new baby, picture books are a tempting lure and certainly have their place, but definitely don’t select them to the exclusion of more durable choices that can be shared and enjoyed from the start.
Here are some of our favorites:
Roger Priddy Books
Roger Priddy’s cloth books feature brightly colored illustrations, usually a single animal per page and both cheerful and durable. The rhyming text won’t drive you nuts and interest in the book will persist well past the chewing and drooling phase.
Friends to Tuck in Tight
Goodnight Teddy by Francesci Ferri & Sleepy Bunny (of Pat the Bunny fame)
Both of these books feature a little friend that can be held, stroked, cuddled, dribbled on and at some point, lovingly moved from page to page as it gets ready for bedtime. The teddy includes a pair of pajamas (practically destined to get lost although we’ve somehow retained ours even four years later) that he can wear on his journey.
Tell a Tail – Jellycat’s Tails books
These seem to be sold under a variety of names (Jellycat is a stuffed animal maker and also puts out the “If I Were a ….” series). I’m not sure if they’re all the same, but Jellycat made the one we had. Exciting tail textures delight as the animals race across the pages.
Sadly out of print, snag it if you see it: Baby Love by Sandra Magsamen
Featuring absolutely awful pun based love jokes, this was the house favorite forEVER. Baby Love features soft flaps for little fingers to yank, pull and turn, but thankfully never rip off and a fun fold-out format. And with jokes like “What does the mama elephant say to the baby elephant?” “I love you a TON.” who can resist?
Whatever you choose, just know that someday, as a parent carefully pries their baby’s damp fingers off a precious signed copy of a classic picture book*, they will be forever grateful for your forethought in selecting something durable, fun and usable from the very first.
*I am NOT knocking including fabulous heirloom books in a collection. I’m just saying that when all you’ve got is a stack of fancies and a child who is damp and smells slightly off, you will wish heartily that you had an option that allows for reading AND mess simultaneously.
