Baby books: Birth to six months

It's never too soon to introduce books to babies. Some radical thinkers in this area suggest starting at nine months old, but why leave it so late? You could begin at birth, turning book-time into quality-time for you and baby. 

• Fave Rave: Noisy Animals
• Honorable mention: Big Dinosaurs

THIS MONTH'S FAVE RAVE: Noisy Animals, by Jane Kemp and Clare Walters. Illustrated by Lydia Monks

Here's a vibrant book to keep you and your baby feeling chirpy. You'll find a toothy tiger, a chattering monkey and a lion with a strange golden manes... and you won't be able to resist that twitch-twitching guinea pig! Beside each of the 32 colourfully drawn animals is a noise and a name to read out. Your baby will love all your grrr-ing, roaring and buzzing. Published by HarperCollins, £3.99

HONOURABLE MENTION: Big Dinosaurs, illustrated by Katherine Redfern

Although we're not suggesting your newborn will be able to pronounce dinosaur names yet, this big board book has such wonderfully bold, attractive pictures that your baby will feel immersed in this interesting world. Diplodocus is looking for his friends and finds some differently shaped and coloured dinosaurs along the way. "I wish we could buy some nursery wallpaper in this design. My baby gets excited when we look at this book together," says a mum of a three-year-old. Published by Campbell Books, £4.99

Where to next?

• For more books in this age range see our baby books archive

• Also see this month’s books for babies:

• 6-12 months

• 12-18 months

• 18 months +

• Go to pregnancy and parenting books and videos