Books for Babies: A Gift from Dunedin Public Libraries and the Friends of the Library to Mum and Baby

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Research shows that, through books, we can help children understand the world around them. 

Books stimulate the mind and reading gives a child the confidence and independence to gather knowledge in their own way. It is never too early to start.

From birth to 2 months a baby has a limited range of vision, so books with bright bold patterns are perfect. Baby is a listener at this stage, so books with rhymes and rhythm are loved as well. From 2 to 4 months baby is now an observer and will still enjoy books with bold bright designs and with high-contrast illustrations combined with the story. At 4 to 8 months baby is at the cooing stage and will enjoy touch and feel books, stimulating a range of senses. Including board books in the toy box works well at this age as baby learns to grasp. From 8 to 12 months baby is at the babbling stage and lift-the-flap books are lots of fun for them. This is the stage just before a baby starts to talk, so hearing a wide variety of words is more important than ever.

For more than a decade, Dunedin Public Libraries has been providing a ‘Books for babies’ pack to our youngest citizens. Delivered through the Dunedin Public Hospital, all babies born in Dunedin receive a pack which includes a booklet, which outlines the library resources that best suit a baby through the development stages of 0 – 12 months of age. The booklet includes information on Wriggle & Rhyme, the active movement programme for babies, which the library runs in partnership with Sport Otago. It also has a Hot Pick voucher for mum, a Mother and Baby Swim voucher, thanks to Moana Pool, and a membership form for baby’s library card, which will last until they turn 17.

Included in the pack is a delightful picture book for baby. This age-appropriate picture book has been donated by the University Book Shop Otago since the start of the ‘Books for Babies’ initiative. The University Book Shop now shares this sponsorship role with The Dunedin Public Libraries Association (Friends of the Library). Without the continued contribution and support of the University Book Shop, and now the Friends of the library, there would be no ‘Books for Babies’ packs for the youngest citizens of Dunedin.


Su Ikin   |   Youth Outreach Coordinator