Baby books: 6 -12 months
A Friend for Boots, by Satoshi Kitamura
 It's a good idea to encourage your child to get used to the feel of books at
an early age. Show them that you are confident they won't ruin the book at their first
touch. Baby books are made to last, and almost always have wipe-clean pages. As they turn
the board pages for themselves, babies are not only beginning to be in control of the
images and enjoying the book on their own, but also developing their manipulative skills.
This book has been a top hit with my own daughter since she was very young. It's
deceptively simple, with very few words on the page, but the off-beat humour and lack of
soppiness is really refreshing. Boots' desperate attempts to find someone to talk to
results in him greeting a spaced-out dolly and an upturned Teddy, to no avail. Then the
door opens and in walks a little girl to give Boots the pampering he so desperately
desires.
Mum of two year-old comments: "Our copy is dog-eared – a good sign."
Published by Andersen, £2.99
First Words, illustrated by Catherine Anholt
This chunky little board book is just the right size for little hands to hold by
themselves. The soft, appealing images begin with mum and dad, move on to baby, and
include cat, dog, moon and stars, all accompanied by clear, one-word labels. It's a handy
size to take with you on a journey.
Published by Walker Books, £2.99
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