Choosing First Books for Babies: Board Books Worth Reading Again and Again

Many parents are surprised by how early books can become part of a baby's day. A newborn may simply enjoy the sound of your voice and a high-contrast picture. By six months, books are grabbed, chewed and patted. By the first birthday, many babies have a favourite they ask for again and again. And again.

Because you will read some books hundreds of times, it is worth choosing well. This guide looks at what makes a good first book, how to read with a baby and how to build a small library at home in Malta.

What makes a good first book

• Sturdy pages that survive chewing and grabbing
• Clear, simple pictures
• Real-life subjects: faces, animals, food, everyday objects
• Few words, with rhythm or repetition
• A size that suits small hands
• Pictures and words you enjoy too

Board books are ideal for babies and young toddlers because their thick pages are easier to turn and harder to tear. Fabric books and books with simple textures are lovely for very young babies.

High contrast for newborns

In the early weeks, babies see strong contrasts most easily. Black and white books, or books with bold, simple shapes, can hold their attention for a few moments. Prop one beside your baby during tummy time, or hold it close while you talk. Our guide to newborn sensory play has more early ideas.

Photographs and real things

Many babies love books with photographs of real babies, faces, animals and everyday objects. Real-life pictures help them connect what they see on the page with the world around them. A book of real animals, followed by a visit to see goats or chickens, or a walk spotting cats and birds, makes those connections even stronger.

Rhythm and repetition

Books with rhyme, rhythm and repeated phrases are wonderful for reading aloud. Babies tune into the sound and patterns of language long before they understand the words. Toddlers love joining in with a repeated line. These books also support the early language skills described in our article on talking through play.

Lift the flap and touch and feel

Simple interactive books, with flaps to lift or textures to touch, are popular with older babies and toddlers. Choose sturdy ones, as flaps can tear. Keep a few for supervised reading if they have small parts.

Books in Maltese and English

Many families in Malta speak Maltese, English or both at home, and some speak other languages too. Books in each of your home languages help children hear rich vocabulary in all of them. Our article on raising a bilingual toddler in Malta has more ideas. Local libraries and bookshops can be a good source of children's books in Maltese.

How to read with a baby

You do not need to read every word or finish the book. Point at pictures and name them. Make sounds. Let your baby turn pages, even if they skip ahead. Follow their interest. If they want to look at one page for a long time, that is fine. If they want to chew the corner, that is fine too. Short, frequent moments with books are better than long sessions.

Make it part of the day

Books fit easily into everyday routines: after a nappy change, during a feed, in the pram, at bedtime. A calm bedtime story is one of the loveliest rituals of early childhood. Our screen-free bedtime routine builds on this.

Fewer, better books

Babies and toddlers do not need a large library. A small selection, displayed with covers facing out, invites them to choose. Rotate books every few weeks. Our articles on building a small, beloved library and creating a front-facing book nook explain how.

Caring for books

Malta's humidity can affect books, especially in winter. Store them on open shelves away from damp walls. Wipe board books with a slightly damp cloth if they get sticky. Our guide to caring for toys in Malta's humidity has more tips.

Books as gifts

Books make lovely gifts for christenings, first birthdays, Christmas and new siblings. An inscription inside the cover turns a book into a keepsake. A book is also a thoughtful addition to a Christmas stocking or a gift from an auntie or uncle.

Books for big changes

Books can help children understand new experiences: a new baby, starting childcare, a first trip on a plane. Our articles on preparing a toddler for a new baby, getting ready for kindergarten and flying from Malta with a toddler all suggest reading about the change beforehand.

Let them choose

From around a year, many babies start to show clear favourites. Offer two books and let them point to one. Being allowed to choose builds confidence and makes reading feel like theirs. If they choose the same book every night for a month, that is completely normal. Repetition is how little ones learn, and a well-loved book with worn corners is a sign of a reading habit taking root.

Little Curio is curating a small selection of books and plastic-free toys for families in Malta; see what is coming.