Why It’s Never Too Early to Read Together
When you hear the words “book club,” you probably picture grown-ups chatting about their latest read over coffee. At Central Library, one of our book clubs looks a little different. Our Baby Board Book Book Club welcomes babies and their grownups to read, sing, play and discover the joy of stories together. But can babies really participate in a book club? Absolutely! Long before children learn to read words, they’re learning to love books. Every read-aloud helps build language, literacy and a lifelong love of reading.
What exactly is a board book?
Board books are designed with babies in mind. Their thick, sturdy pages stand up to little hands that explore books in the ways they know best. Babies grab, pat, bend, point to pictures, and turn pages back and forth. While it may not look like reading to us, each of these interactions helps babies become comfortable with books and builds early literacy skills. Board books are full of bright illustrations, simple words, repetition and rhyme. Reading the same favorite book again and again helps babies recognize sounds, build vocabulary and develop a love of stories. Better yet, reading together strengthens the bond between babies and their caregivers.
At Tulsa City-County Library, we encourage families to Talk, Sing, Read, Write and Play every day. Those five simple practices are the building blocks of early literacy, and board books make it easy to do all five. Point to pictures, sing a silly rhyme, ask questions or let your baby turn the pages. All of these activities help build early literacy skills.
One of my favorite parts of Baby Board Book Book Club is watching families build connections with one another. During one meeting, a parent shared that she had texted her own book club to proudly announce her son was attending HIS first book club. It was a perfect reminder that reading together builds community at every age.
Looking for your next favorite board book? Here are a few wonderful titles to explore together:
Hank Goes Peck by Maudie Powell-Tuck
Hank the goose just can’t stop pecking! The die-cut holes on every page invite little fingers to poke and play along, making this an interactive read-aloud babies will want to revisit again and again.
Yippee! Rabbit by Jo Ham
The bold black and white illustrations are perfect for even the youngest babies to enjoy. Rabbit’s playful adventure makes this a fun book to share together.
Upside Down Opposites by Danielle McLean
Read it right side up or upside down! This clever interactive board book lets little ones explore opposites from every angle, making storytime even more fun.
Birds Sing their Words by Mélina Mangal
Learn bird sounds and join in! A simple, playful way for little ones to practice sounds and language together.
Llamaphones by Janik Coat
A playful board book that introduces homophones and shows little ones that it’s never too early to have fun with language.
Feel Calm by Andy J. Pizza
A gentle read-aloud that helps babies explore feelings through laughter, voice and shared connection with a grown-up.
Whether your family joins the Baby Board Book Book Club at Central Library or attends one of the many Build-A-Reader Storytimes offered at Tulsa City-County Library locations across the county, you’ll find welcoming spaces to read, sing, play and grow together. Libraries offer more than books—they’re places where families can learn, connect and grow together from the very beginning.
First-Time Baby Storytime? Here’s What to Expect
Chelsea Howard, children’s associate at Hardesty Regional Library, shares a few tips for families attending their first Build-A-Reader Baby Storytime.
It’s designed just for babies. Baby Storytime is created for infants and toddlers (ages 0–2) and their caregivers. Each session includes developmentally appropriate books, songs, fingerplays, movement activities and opportunities for social interaction.
Wiggles are welcome. Don’t worry if your baby crawls, fusses, cries or needs a snack or diaper change. Baby Storytime is a welcoming, judgment-free space where little ones can explore and learn at their own pace.
It’s interactive. Expect lap bounces, movement activities, fingerplays and fun props like scarves, shaker eggs and bells. These activities help babies connect words with actions while strengthening motor skills.
Caregivers learn, too. Storytime isn’t just for babies. Caregivers pick up simple ways to talk, sing, read, write and play with their child at home to support early literacy.
No baby is too young. Even the youngest babies benefit from hearing language, sharing books, moving to songs and spending time with other families.
Find Baby Storytimes at tulsalibrary.org/events.
Rachel Ann Dennis is a youth librarian at Central Library, a storyteller and an artist with a Master of Fine Arts. She works at the library branch she grew up visiting with her dad, where she creates experiences for families with children that inspire creativity, curiosity and a love of reading.
