Reading books improve a toddler’s overall development. But with all the choices available, how on earth do you choose the best ones? Learn how to choose books for toddlers by keeping these tips in mind.

Tip # 1: Choose books your toddler will enjoy.

Reading should be fun so choose books for toddlers your little one will enjoy. Better yet, let him select which books he likes. Go to your local bookstore together and have him browse through the wide selection of children’s books available. Have your toddler flip through the first few pages. Your toddler can tell you if the words are too big or if there is too much text.

Tip # 2: Books should be age-appropriate.

It would be useless to buy short chapter books for your 3-year old kid. Choose picture books and board books instead. They are great for beginner readers and the short stories and pictures will keep your little one interested. Plus, your toddler will even try to make up story lines to go with the pictures. Books that relate to your toddler’s life are also recommended. Books about potty training, going to school or welcoming a new baby are great additions to his library.

Tip # 3: Look for appealing illustrations.

Choose toddler books that display large, colorful images of simple objects. Your toddler will notice the pictures in a book before he starts hearing the story. Pictures will provide the first indication of the meaning of the book, and when you read to your toddler, he will be looking at the illustrations, pointing at brightly colored pictures and observing many little details you would never notice.

Tip # 4: Select books with the three R’s.

Toddlers enjoy books that have rhyme, rhythm and repetition. Go for books with easy to follow story lines and those that repeat the same words and phrases over and over again. He will love the structure and since he can predict what word comes next, it will be easy for your toddler to memorize.

Tip # 5: Choose books with different themes.

While it is perfectly fine to pick books that interests your toddler, buying books with subjects your toddler knows little or nothing about is a great way of broadening his knowledge and opening his mind to the world out there. Buy books about fairytales, fables, families living in other countries, animals, planets, stars, moon, sun, dancing, sports and so on.

Tip # 6: Consider your toddler’s attention span.

It is common knowledge that children have a short attention span. So start with books with short, simple texts that can be read in just five minutes. Once he is comfortable with these, move to longer picture books which may have to be read over more than one sitting. Just make sure to pick books that are interactive and encourage exploration (e.g. books with flaps or books with touch-and-feel texture pages) to hold your toddler’s attention.

Tip # 7: Check book reviews.

If you are still confused which books you should buy your toddler, why not read newspapers and magazines or surf the web. There you can find a comprehensive list of toddler books with highly acclaimed reviews.

Tip # 8: Make sure books are durable.

Opt for books that can withstand being chewed up, thrown around and stepped on by your curious toddler. Toddler books made out of laminated cardboard are your best option especially if he is not quite the expert when it comes to handling things with care.

Books will be your toddler’s best friend throughout his growing years. So expose him to books early, choose wisely, invest and see how books will improve the quality of your precious one’s life.