What to read with my baby
(and why it matters)
By Liz Pemberton
Reading with your baby isn’t about ‘getting ahead’; it’s about connection with language, rhythm, joy and, above all, a sense of belonging.
From day one, babies absorb everything, including who they see in stories and who gets to be featured in them. That’s why representation in baby books matters deeply from the very beginning.
Birth to 5 Matters is non-statutory guidance that I always recommend to both early years educators and parents/carers. It reminds us that early relationships and communication shape brain development.
But reading isn’t just about learning words, it’s about showing children that they, and all kinds of people, deserve space in the pages we share. Representation in books for the early years fosters empathy, inclusion and confidence.
‘Children need to see representation of someone who “looks like me”, or “has a family structure like mine”, or “lives somewhere like where I live”, etc. Children absorb and develop ideas of what is possible for themselves from the images and materials around them’ (p26, Birth To 5 Matters)
Here are my tried and trusted suggestions of books to read with your baby or toddler and when to introduce them, to help guide you through their book journey:
Age 0–3 months: seeing and soothing
What most babies can do: newborns see high contrast shapes and faces best, and your voice is their anchor
Look for books with: bold, black-and-white images; soothing rhymes; simple repetition; and cloth and soft books with snuggly textures, great for skin-to-texture exploration and early visual focus
I love this book:
Baby Touch: My First Book by Ladybird
Age 3–6 months: reaching, cooing, exploring
What most babies can do: babies begin to track movement, respond to sound, and touch everything!
Look for books with: bright pictures, textures, simple rhymes and tactile features
I love these books:
- Hands‑on Songs: The Wheels on the Bus by Child’s Play and Anthony Lewis
- Playtime! by Mama Makes Books
- If I Were a Puppy by Anne Wilkinson
Age 6–12 months: exploring the world
What most babies can do: babies may mouth books, sit upright, and love being more interactive
Look for books with: interactive pages, eg lift-the-flaps, textures, real-world images and representation
I love these books:
- Baby Vision: Illusions by Anna Franklin and Andy Passchier
- That’s Not My Lion… by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells
- Whose Toes Are Those? by Jabari Asim and LeUyen Pham
- Peekaboo Love by Camilla Reid and Ingela P Arrhenius
Age 12–18 months: first words and routines
What most toddlers can do: toddlers start naming things and love predictable books reflecting daily life
Look for books with: simple text, repetition, diverse characters and family situations
I love these books:
- How to Say Hello by Sophie Beer
- Clive and His Babies by Jessica Spanyol
- Go, Girls, Go! by Frances Gilbert and Allison Black
- Mommy, Mama, and Me by Lesléa Newman and Carol Thompson
Age 18–24 months: emotions and independence
What most toddlers can do: toddlers are learning about feelings, empathy, independence and identity
Look for books with: emotional expression, clear and simple story arcs, representation of diverse feelings and backgrounds
I love these books:
- All Kids Are Good Kids by Judy Carey Nevin and Susie Hammer
- Not Tired! by Sumana Seeboruth and Fotini Tikkou
- Our World: Democratic Republic of Congo by Mel Nyoko and Joelle Avelino
- Sign About: Going Out by Child’s Play and Anthony Lewis by Child‘s Play and Anthony Lewis
Age 24–36 months: language and imagination
What most toddlers can do: toddlers begin storytelling, role play and asking questions about the world
Look for books with: key features, such as invitations for little ones to participate, humour, diverse characters and imaginative plots
I love these books:
- Wednesday Is for Wiggling by Eva Wong Nava and Holly Sterling
- If It’s Pride and You Know It by Nosy Crow and Andy Passchier
- No Matter What…You Are Loved by Becky Davies and Fernando Martín
- Our World: Pakistan by Rumaisa Bilal and Nez Riaz
Every book you share helps build your developing baby’s sense of self and their understanding of the wider world as they embark on toddlerhood.
When children see themselves and others reflected equally, they learn empathy, equity and that every story matters. So, cuddle up, share the stories, and show the faces!
Representation in books is one of the simplest ways to raise compassionate and confident children who can not only advocate for themselves but also for others.
Need more ideas?
Explore our full early years booklists on the IBC website. Rich in joyful, inclusive stories to support different stages of your baby’s development.
Liz Pemberton is the award‑winning director of The Black Nursery Manager Ltd, a consultancy leading on anti‑racist practice in Early Years (0–7). With over 20 years in education, her work embeds inclusive, equitable approaches into policy, practice and pedagogy — helping families raise compassionate, conscious children. Liz is also a patron for Inclusive Books for Children.