Reading has a vital place in a baby's development as it's essential for building his or her communication and literacy skills. It's also highly pleasurable for both parent and baby, enabling bonding, the happy use of time spent together and having fun with words. It explains how to spot if a baby is connecting with a story, the signs to look out for, and ways to encourage involvement in the tale. The book also examines storytelling techniques, such as repetition, use of voice and facial expression. There are sections on how to tell the perfect bedtime tale, storytelling games for parties, and on making up your own stories. This title offers: insights into the benefits of reading to your baby from an early age; techniques such as painting pictures with words, using facial expressions and hand gestures, and using props such as soft toys to bring stories alive; suggestions for what to read at each age; advice on bedtime storytelling including creating the perfect atmosphere and picking the right tale to promote a good night's sleep; ways of getting your baby to engage with a story and building on his or her enjoyment; storytelling games and activities for parties or groups of children; and, guidance in creating your own tales, using people and events familiar to your child.