Board books for babies have been around for decades, but are growing more relevant with each passing day. Though they belong to a niche category in children’s literature, they help their young readers form a strong instinct towards reading that lasts for years to come.
Board books are not quite like the other books in the industry. Though they often contain vibrant pictures and stories like picture books, they are made of much sturdier material and their content is more educational in its approach.
Board books are meant for infants and toddlers who can use them without an adult having to constantly watch to make sure the child does not damage the book while playing around with it. The pages of a board book are made of thick paperboard with durable and safe material that can withstand almost anything a child can do. Infants can play with the book as they please: it can be chewed on, played with, spilled on, or even immersed in water, and emerge no worse for the wear.
The content of a board book can range from simple plots to creative introductions to basic concepts such as colours and numbers. Each page is often coloured brightly and intricately with illustrations that can capture the attention of the young reader with fewer words per page than other children’s books. Many books also use different patterns in their illustrations to make the page more visually stimulating and appealing to the reader. Meant for 1 to 3 year olds, they have proven to be an effective teaching aid for parents and caretakers trying to bond with their children and gently familiarize them with books, reading, and visual learning.
With their small size fitting easily into growing hands and typically rounded corners, board books often also function as safe toys. Parents often use them as a way to teach their children how to read and recognize symbols, characters, and objects.