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Home / The Playground
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July 19, 2021 3 min read

Trending: Explore Our Top 4 Baby Books

Expert-level tips on how to build your baby's first library

Uplifting words. Vibrant illustrations. Curling up together. Building a baby’s first library is a fantastic way to build on your baby’s speech and language skills–and build a beautiful bond together too.

We're excited to share our curated selection of some of our favourite baby books, reviewed by Caron Irwin, our Mastermind Toys Child Life Expert, to help build on communication and understanding with your little one–from day one.  

Ten Little Fingers and
Ten Little Toes Board Book

This modern nursery rhyme highlights the things that babies might have in common from near or far! By seeing different faces and expressions, this sweet story helps babies develop social and emotional connections, while also expanding their vocabulary with a poem-style verse. Age 0m+

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Helps develop:

1. Speech & language skills (Communication)
2. Social & emotional (Expressions)

Expert tip on the benefits of reading books
with facial expressions


"Around four months, babies start to notice different emotions through facial expressions, body language and the tone of voice of the people around them. Your baby will start to react to these different emotions–smile when you smile, cry when you show frustration, or become fearful when you show concern.

Babies can also start to understand different emotions by seeing babies in books that show these emotions. Caregivers can describe the emotions shown in the story through language and imitate that emotion. Your baby might follow suit!"
- Caron Irwin

Sweetest Kulu Storybook

This lovely lyrical lullaby inspired by traditional Inuit beliefs describes the gifts bestowed upon a newborn baby by all the animals of the Arctic. By adding unique books that reflect diversity and inclusion to your home library, it can help children learn and respect different cultures and experiences from an early age. Age 0+

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Helps develop:

1. Social & emotional (Expressions)
2. Speech & language skills (Communication)

Expert tip on diversity and inclusion


"The theme of diversity doesn’t always have to be at the centre of the book. Books that represent characters of diverse backgrounds normalizes differences and promotes inclusivity."
- Caron Irwin

The Pigeon Needs a Bath Book
with Pigeon Bath Toy

While reading primarily develops language skills, this set includes a bath toy to help with cognitive skills as well. Having a character from the story that the baby can touch and feel also fosters reasoning and remembering. This adorable rubber pigeon will definitely make a splash at bath time! Age 0+

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Helps develop:

1. Speech & language skills (Communication)
2. Cognitive skills (Thinking & logic)

Expert tip on building focus & attention


ROO Family Tip: If your baby does not want to sit and listen while you read them the whole story, try pointing at and labeling different objects on each page. This helps build language while your baby is developing their attention skills."
- Caron Irwin

Tails Sensory Book

Scratch-and-sniff. Pull tabs and flaps. Touch 7 textures. Learning new words and how to count have never sounded (and smelled and felt) so good. Age 12m+

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Helps develop:

1. Speech & language skills (Communication)
2. Social & emotional (Expressions)

Expert tip on learning through a sensory experience


"A baby's earliest and most meaningful learning happens through their senses. Through touch, hearing, sight, taste and smell, babies experience the world around them and learn through this experience.

Reading interactive books with your baby helps connect language with a sensory experience. By exposing your baby to multiple senses simultaneously, you are also teaching your child how to manage sensory input and enjoy this experience instead of feeling over stimulated and overwhelmed."
- Caron Irwin

Caron Irwin, Child Life Expert

These developmental milestones have been reviewed and are validated by our Mastermind Toys Child Life Expert, Caron Irwin, Founder of Roo Family.

Caron is a Canadian mother of three and started Roo Family to provide parents with comprehensive support to navigate the adventures and challenges of parenting and family life.

Caron holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Studies and is a Certified Child Life Specialist. She has over 10 years of experience supporting children and families through illness at Canada’s largest children’s hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children.

Written by Cathy Barbarossa, Senior Copywriter and Editor with contributions by Caron Irwin, Child Life Expert

LEARN ABOUT BABY DEVELOPMENT SKILLS

Cathy Barbarossa
Cathy Barbarossa


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