Reading Time is a high-contrast fold-out book that offers parents the opportunity to exercise their baby's body and brain while enjoying some special together time.

Like Tummy Time (BookTrust's Book Start Pick for 2021), the book opens out and stands up in front of newborns during the all-important tummy time, a practice encouraged by healthcare professionals because it prevents flat spots on the back of a baby's head, and encourages them to use muscles needed for rolling, sitting and crawling. However, these early months are also when a baby's brain is developing faster than at any other time in their lives. Reading together is proven to accelerate language and literacy, giving children a head start in life.

The book has bold black-and-white images with splashes of colour for a baby's developing vision. The images are some of the first words children learn to say, such as cat, car, book and teddy, so it serves as a first words book, but it also has a soothing, rhythmical nursery rhyme based on "I see the moon, the moon sees me" which babies will love to hear their loved ones read. And there is mirror at the end to personalise the shared reading experience - "I see Mummy/Daddy/Grandpa" - as they look in the mirror together.

So go on. Read to your newborn. It's good for them!

0 to 9 months, printed on FSC board

This fold-out book is a delightful first words book for babies. Everything in this book is geared towards engaging babies. There is the option to read it as a standard book, turning pages, or to unfold it completely, and prop it up during tummy time. This is a lovely book to share with a baby, giving precious bonding and cuddle time. It enables conversations, even in baby talk!

Ideal for newborns ... this sturdy board book will grow with your baby and nurture a love of reading from an early age. An innovative way to introduce the youngest of readers to books.

Mama Makes Books is a small, independent publishing company founded in 2020, producing books for newborns to eight-year-olds. We make books with love – for children and the planet. We know that the early years matter and want our books to add value to children's lives. We endeavour to be a carbon-neutral company, ethical, sustainable, charitable and inclusive.