In this month's RTÉjr Book Club, Ruth Concannon (Publications Officer for Children's Books Ireland), asks: Are you a caregiver or early years educator eager to plant a seed and grow a young bookworm? If the answer is yes, then she has some stories to help!
It is never too early to read to babies, toddlers, wobblers and little ones. Reading to babies has many benefits including building a baby's listening skills, language acquisition and their comprehension. Books can be a fabulous guide to first experiences and for parents and caregivers, storytime is also a lovely way to deepen your bond with your child.
This month's RTÉjr Book Club is focusing on our very youngest readers from newborns to toddlers.These six books are taken from our new recommended reading list Baby Book Club - a curated list of 24 stories designed to delight and engage our youngest bookworms.
Download the Baby Book Club here!
We have tummy time books, first nursery rhymes and even something to help little ones tackle the terrors of potty training and we hope your little one will find their very first favourite book among the stories on our list...
My First Black and White Book: Touch! By Pascale Estellon, Post Wave Children's Books 12PP, ISBN 9781836270027
The perfect first boardbook for newborns featuring lots of high contrast imagery, which vary in complexity with splashes of primary colours to keep babies interested and engaged. This book aims to help in the development of a baby’s eyesight, focus and attention. The concertina style format makes this book ideal for using during tummy time and the slip case provided with the book is perfect for portability. With embossed illustrations adding a tactile element, this super book grows with your little one. (Age 0–2)
Party Time for Baby Bears by Sam Taplin, illustrated by Róisín Hahessy, Usborne, 10PP, ISBN 9781836040378
It’s Billy Bear’s birthday and Benjamin, Bella and Betsy are busy unravelling bunting, making decorations and wrapping presents. Soft fabric flaps ideal for little hands conceal the chaos of the party preparation for Billy’s big day and add a sense of momentum as the excitement builds. Part of a popular series for babies and toddlers, Taplin’s simple language and Hahessy’s cosy illustrations are an ideal pairing as the Bear family explore different first experiences for young readers. (Age 0–2)
First Little Rhymes: All About Me by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Nicola Killen, Andersen Press, 16PP, ISBN 9781839133787
This charming collection of ten poems from the former UK Children’s Laureate is filled with fun actions and relatable experiences for toddlers. Accompanied by adorable and colourful illustrations from Killen, the inclusive cast of children have wonderful facial expressions throughout that will engage young readers. Every poem is a great prompt to get kids talking about themselves or the things that they like. A perfect book to share together, written and illustrated in a way that makes reading an interactive and fun experience. (Poetry, Age 0–2, 2–4)
Eilifint Óg agus an Folcadán by Tatyana Feeney, translated by Fidelma Ní Ghallchobhair, An Gúm Foras na Gaeilge, 27PP, ISBN 9781857919011
Is scéilín gleoite grinn é seo faoi eilifint bheag óg nach bhfuil fonn dá laghad air dul isteach san fholcadán. Triaileann sé cleasanna éagsúla chun éalú ón uisce, agus triaileann a mháthair cleasanna eile chun é a mhealladh isteach ann. Is scéal barrúil spraíúil é, ach is é bua mór an phictiúrleabhair seo ná an dearadh álainn snasta atá air, idir líníocht agus théacs. A funny and engaging story about an elephant who is keen to avoid bathtime. (Aois 0–2, 2–4)
Nano agus na Dathanna by Cáitríona Nic Sheáin and Mr Ando, An tSnáthaid Mhór, 30PP, ISBN 9781912929399
Leabhar beag simplí é seo ina bhfeicimid Nano ag fágáil slán ag an bhfaoileán cois cuain sula dtéann sé ag taisteal faoin bhfarraige agus é ag féachaint ar na dathanna geala spleodracha atá ar na héisc is ar na créatúir áille a chastar air faoin uisce. Tá simplíocht álainn ag baint leis an leabhar seo agus leis an tsraith ina iomláine – tá leabhair eile ar fáil sa tsraith chéanna faoi mhothúcháin agus uimhreacha. A lovely story designed to help little ones learn their colours as Gaeilge. (Aois 0–2, 2–4)
Hello, Potty! By Ania Simeone, Happy Yak, 22PP, ISBN 9781836003731
Potty training can be daunting and very scary for young children; this is an excellent book to alleviate that fear. Written from the child’s viewpoint, this book is short in length with simple phrases and pictures that outline the process in a very easy to understand way. The turning wheel gives the young child a chance to engage physically with the book and is another reward tool, reinforcing this book’s positive message that potty training is not scary and that everyone can do it. (Ages 0–2, 2–4)
Ruth Concannon is the Publications Officer for Children's Books Ireland, the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child’s right to develop a love of reading.
Their mission is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people in Ireland, to share their expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, to champion every child’s right to excellent books and live literature events and support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland.
See www.childrensbooksireland.ie for more.
Look back on more great RTÉjr Book Club recommendations here!
