We have compiled a list of novelty or interactive books for young children who dont like to sit for too long. Lots of children with language delay also have difficulty listening to and attending to books. A great way to encourage looking at books is to use books with flaps, touch & feel, zips, puppets and sliders. This can be a useful bridge into book sharing whilst the childs language and attention skills grow. These types of books are also great for babies who like to feel and chew on books!
Books that are not quite as useful are those that are battery-operated. You know the type lots of noises and lights flashing as you turn the page. These types of books dont allow your child to focus on your voice and the words. Stay away from books with batteries!
We’ve done the work for you! All the books are linked to Book Depository with free delivery. You can click on any of the book titles for more information/availability.
20 interactive books
1. Lulus Lunch by Camilla Reid. The whole Lulu series is beautifully illustrated and has lots of bits for children to open and close. There is a sticky bowl of honey, a banana to peel and a bib to attach. At the end is a bowl of (string) spaghetti! Lots of fun here and many nice easy early words such as lunch, eat, and many food names. Easily one of our favourite books at the moment!
2. Munch! by Matthew Van Fleet. This crocodile likes to eat different foods. There is a tab on the side of the book that children can pull to help the crocodiles mouth move. Prompt words- eat, in, out, munch!
3. Spot on the Move by Eric Hill. All the Spot books have flaps to lift which are tempting for children. This book has a finger puppet that can be used through the whole book. Prompt words- Spot, fly, drive.
4. This Little Piggy by Scholastic Books. There are a few books in this series of nursery rhymes. This hand puppet has a book attached with the words of the rhyme. Each finger is another piggy! Children or parent can use the puppet. Prompt words piggy, weeeeee,home.
5. Grannys Purse by P.Hanson. This book is for the older toddler as the pages are quite busy. It is in the shape of a purse with its contents spilling out. These are fun to look at and talk about. Prompt words- bag, granny, keys.
6. Playbook Farm . Another book for an older toddler as there are some fiddly pieces. This is a farm book with pop up fences and separate cardboard animals that can be put in the yards. Prompt words baa, moo, cow, fence.
7. Sleepy or Not, Mr Croc by Jo Lodge. The pop up crocodile in this book is great fun for moving. There are also tabs to pull to make him move. Prompt words sssh, croc, bed.
8. Squeak, Squeak Maisy by Lucy Cousins. Many of the Maisy books have lift the flaps. This book has a little push button squeeker on the side of the book that your child can press as you look at each page. The squeaking noise relates to the noises in the book. Prompt words- squeak, push, again.
9. Who Says Moo? by Jane Wolfe. This book is great for younger children learning animal noises. Tabs at the side of the book can be pulled to reveal another animal. Prompt noises moo, baa.
10. Baby Touch: Moo Moo Tab Book by Ladybird. Another lovely farm animal book for little fingers. The large animal tab faces help baby turn the pages. There are also lots of textures to feel.
11. Tractor by Dawn Sirrett. The Baby Touch Series by Dorling Kindersley are for babies and younger toddlers. They are a good quality textured series for babies to feel. The pages generally have one photo image which is clear and not cluttered.
12. Sleepy Bunny by Golden Books. This soft cloth book has a bunny attached on a string. On each page, your baby can pop the bunny into a pocket. Prompt words bunny, in, out.
13. This Royal Baby by Zita Newcome. This colourful book for the older toddler has lots of different baby faces to talk about. Your toddler can pull the tab to change each page. Prompt words baby, sad, happy, sleepy.
14. Hooray! says Peppa Pig. Another finger puppet book that goes right through the book. For fans of Peppa Pig this is great for little fingers. Prompt words- pig, Peppa.
15. Where is Babys Birthday Cake by Kar en Katz. Beautiful, attractive pictures for toddlers to look at. Lots of flaps to look under to find the missing birthday cake. Prompt words blowing out candles, hooray, birthday song.
16. Whats in the Witchs Kitchen by Nick Sharratt. This book is for the older toddler or preschooler with more information on each page. The witch has lots of things in her kitchen to look at. Each page has a trick and a treat the ingenious flaps can turn two ways for you to see either the treat (strawberry tea) or a trick (goblin pee)! Prompt words yum, yuk!
17. Animal hide & Seek by Stephen Cartwright. Large clear pictures of animals for toddlers to look at. There are also textures to feel and flaps to lift. Toddlers can also find the hidden duck on each page! Prompt words found it!, up.
18. Busy Park by Rebecca Finn. Children can look at all the familiar things in the park and move the tabs. The see-saw can go up and down, the gate can close. Prompt words open, up, down, see saw, swing.
19. Hungry Monsters by Matt Mitter. This colourful book has a monster eating something in every room. Soap in the bathroom, knickers in the bedroom! Toddlers will have fun looking in his mouth on every page. Prompt words open, eat.
20. Busy Railway by Rebecca Finn. Lots of things are happening at the railway station. Your toddler can use the tabs to pull up the gate or make the train go. Prompt words up, go, down, train.
When children learn to read, they need to understand;
