The list author says: "Certain visuals and text hold the attention of newborns. The eyesight of newborns is a work in progress. They see best from a distance of approximately one foot. When choosing books for your newborn or infant, select books with bold images. Look for patterns (stripes, polka dots, checkers) and black-and-white illustrations or photos, with minimal or no words at all.
For infants, books are not merely for looking at. Babies tend to taste, toss and tear their books. Even sturdy cardboard books may not survive this search-and-destroy stage. Cloth and vinyl make good chewable books. Let the baby play with the book if he wants. Babies love to turn pages, point to pictures and even taste their books. Holding, chewing and throwing books indicates that your baby is comfortable with books.
Here are my favorite children’s books that newborns respond to best."
"The first colors your baby sees are black and white. This wordless book of white shapes on a black background is perfect for young babies, who love looking at bold, contrasting colors while their eyes are developing."
"Look Look! is the ideal first board book for babies just beginning to look and learn. This is a great book to place in front of your baby at tummy time."
"Here’s a perfect book for very young babies.Award-winning graphic art is at its best in this very simple board book that can be shared with a newborn or a toddler."
"Goodnight Moon is the all-time best-selling board book. At the end the little bunny succumbs to slumber, secure that all the things inside his room and visible through his window, will be their when he awakens. Your little one will also want to say good night to the special things in his room."
"The all-time best-selling interaction book is Pat the Bunny.Simple line drawings and pastel colors make this an easy book for even infants to focus on. The double-folded cardboard pages, inside which the textured objects are attached, will withstand repeated use."
"An adorable storyline with pictures to match: A child writes to the zoo to request a pet, and a series of animals are delivered but rejected for one reason or another by the child."
"With very few words, but with the most expressive illustrations, this book tells the store of a mischievous gorilla who borrows the zoo keeper’s keys. As the zoo keeper is completing his rounds, the gorilla lets the animals out one by one."
"Sandra Boynton is one of my favorite children’s book authors. Children will see their own bedtime routine as fun when they see the animals prepare for bed by taking a bath, finding their pajamas, brushing their teeth, and finally rocking to sleep in the ark. The simple rhymes, goofy animals, and sweet lyrics make for a memorable reading experience."
"This book focuses on mama dog Sally’s search for her wayward pup Spot. Each page finds Sally in a different part of the house, and contains a lift-up-flap that hides a different animal in each room. Your child will love lifting the flaps and saying “no” each time it isn’t Spot and then saying “yay!” when it is."
"The sturdy format and large, easy-to-lift flaps are perfect for parents and baby to share. Karen’s playful text and vibrant, patterned illustrations keep babies mesmerized as they search for Baby’s hand, eyes, feet, and much more."
