Vital Years

First Books

Board Books

Board books are great to read to babies and toddlers-they can be left on a low shelf where they are readily accessible-be careful though which books you select for your child. Watch for simple stories with good clear pictures. Many board books now available have a text that is far too sophisticated for the very young audience, and illustrations that are crowded and confusing. The books listed here have become our family favourites, some of them have sturdy flaps for little fingers to open for further surprises.

The Very Busy Spider Eric Carle Hamish Hamilton 0241135907 The farm animals cannot persuade the spider to come out to play. She does not rest until she has finished her web and caught the pesty fly. This tactile book is a lot of fun-you can trace the spider's web, find and feel the pesty fly and determined spider on each page as well as make all the various animal noises.

Count with Maisy Lucy Cousins Walker, 074456753X Of course babies can't count, but this little book has brightly coloured illustrations of Maisy and her world-from one ladybird to ten fleas on Eddie the Elephant. Lucy Cousins has the marvellous ability to make very simple stories fun.

Maisy Likes Driving Lucy Cousins Walker, 074458134X Maisy likes driving all sorts of vehicles and her friends just love coming along for a ride too.

Maisy Likes Playing Lucy Cousins Walker, 0744581338 Maisy has a very busy day painting, playing her guitar, splashing in her paddling pool, dressing up, dancing, and of course, cuddling Panda.

Maisy's Bedtime Lucy Cousins Walker, 0744588847 Maisy and Panda are off to bed. Step by step Maisy goes through the nightly routine, but where is Panda? Oh no, Panda must be found before Maisy can settle, and of course Maisy must use the loo before she eventually snuggles down for the night.

Where are Maisy's Friends? Lucy Cousins Walker, 074457532X Maisy's playing hide and seek and all her friends are hiding around the house.

Where does Maisy Live? Lucy Cousins Walker, 0744575338 Does Maisy live in the hen house? Or pigsty? Of course she doesn't. Little children just love the anticipation of lifting the flaps to see who is at home.

Ten In the Bed Penny Dale Walker, 0744575249 There were ten in the bed and the little one said, "Roll over. . ." This is just ideal for a bedtime story.

Mr. Bear Says 'Tickly Under There' Debi Gliori Orchard 1860397387 'Ten little fingers and ten little toes. Two bright and shiny eyes and one little nose, One happy smiley mouth, and one pink tongue. Two waving arms, two kicking legs and one very tickly tum.' One of a series of irresistible bear family books to share (and copy) with babies.

Humpty Dumpty illustrated by Tracey Moroney Five Mile Press 0867887680 One of a series where the board covers have been cut into a distinctive shape matching the rhyme inside. Some rhymes have been shortened somewhat.

Wibbly Pig Can Make a Tent Mick Inkpen Hodder, 0340757396 Wibbly Pig has a very busy day playing all sorts of exciting games. Wibbly is a pig with great enthusiasm for life. Small children will find lots of familiar experiences in his books.

Wibbly Pig is Happy! Mick Inkpen Hodder, 0340757426 Wibbly Pig is having great fun at the beach until a wave surprises him. A loving lick from his puppy friend cheers him up no end.

Wibbly Pig Opens His Presents Mick Inkpen Hodder, 0340757418 Wibbly Pig just loves opening all his presents but the greatest fun is the paper they are wrapped in!

Let's Do It. Amy MacDonald Walker, 0744561752 Very simple illustrations will encourage babies to mimic the actions they love to repeat.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Bill Martin Hamish Hamilton, 0241137292 A lovely book to read and chant along to. Toddlers will soon come to anticipate the sequence of coloured birds and animals parading here.

Humpty Dumpty and Other Rhymes Iona Opie & Rosemary Wells Walker 074455574 A selection of eight favourite nursery rhymes first published in My Very First Mother Goose collection.

Daisy says Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush Jane Simmons Little Orchard 1841210048 Daisy, from Come On, Daisy has her very own version of this old song and small children will just love to join in with the exuberant actions - stomping, bouncing, flapping and hopping until it's time to sleep.

Daisy says If You're Happy and You Know It Jane Simmons Little Orchard 1841219487 This time Daisy exhorts everyone into a variety of cheerful animal sounds.

Touch and Feel Kitten Dorling Kindersley 0751359068 There are lovely clear coloured photographs of kittens here, and an opportunity to explore a variety of textures from soft, silky fur and rough tongue to scratchy basket.