Often the problem does not lie with our babies, but rather with the book selection we have made. It's a confusing task choosing a book from the plethora that await us at the local bookstore. We see a cute bunny on the front cover and wonder how we could possibly go wrong! But as the old adage says, never judge a book by its cover. Here are some important elements of a book that we should consider:

• Sound – Does it use alliteration (similar beginning sounds, like in a tongue-twister), rhyme or repetition?
• Theme – Does it have an important lesson to teach? How can that lesson be applied?
• Pictures – Is it visually appealing? Do the illustrations enhance the story or allow for further interaction with the child?
• Difficulty level – Is it age appropriate? Can it be used for a range of ages?
• Educational Purposes – Does it have any educational value? Does it teach colors, numbers, comparison, alphabet, shapes, animals, relationships, emotions, etc.?
• Durability – Does the book have strong cardboard pages? Is the book chewable (a bonus for teething babies)?