Building Your Babies Library: Start Early, Read Often with Antonia Squire

In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, produced by Familius Publishing, host Christopher Robbins talks with Antonia Squire, a veteran children’s bookseller and children’s buyer at The King’s English Bookshop. Antonia shares expert tips on building a children’s library, starting from baby showers to chapter books for older kids.

The discussion highlights the importance of reading aloud to children at every stage of development, the role of books in building empathy and curiosity, and specific recommendations for timeless and engaging titles. Whether you’re looking to create a starter library or expand an existing collection, this episode offers practical advice to foster a lifelong love of reading in your children.

Episode Highlights

• [02:15] Start Early—Baby Books as Gifts:
  Antonia suggests building a library as early as baby showers, encouraging parents to replace cards with books inscribed with personal messages.

• [06:40] The Importance of Reading Aloud at Any Age:
  Reading aloud fosters connection, emotional bonding, and early literacy skills. Antonia emphasizes that children are never too young—or too old—to enjoy storytime.

• [10:30] Interactive Books for Toddlers:
  Recommendations like Tails and Pout-Pout Fish highlight the value of tactile and rhythmic books for engaging young readers.

• [15:20] Picture Books for Growth and Humor:
  Titles such as I Eat Poop and The Gruffalo teach humor, resilience, and irony, making them perfect for ages 3 and up.

• [20:50] Chapter Books That Build Reading Confidence:
  Antonia highlights Ramona the Pest and Charlotte’s Web as must-reads for early readers, blending timeless storytelling with life lessons.

• [26:30] Building Empathy Through Fiction:
  Books help children experience life through different perspectives, improving emotional intelligence and decision-making.

• [30:10] Creating Access with Nonprofits Like Brain Food Books:
  Antonia introduces Brain Food Books, a nonprofit focused on providing books to children without easy access, and explains how just 10 books in a home can improve a child’s success.

Key Takeaways

1. Start Early with Books: Build your child’s library starting at baby showers to set the foundation for early literacy and bonding.
2. Read Aloud at Every Stage: Continue reading aloud as children grow to keep them engaged and foster imagination and comprehension.
3. Choose Interactive and Fun Books: Books with humor, rhyme, and touch-and-feel elements captivate young readers and keep them coming back.
4. Include Chapter Books for Growth: Introduce longer stories like Ramona the Pest and Charlotte’s Web to deepen literacy and emotional connections.
5. Focus on Empathy and Imagination: Fiction helps children understand different perspectives and make thoughtful decisions.