The features and styles present in a children's book aimed for the age range of babies-toddlers
Children's books aimed at the youngest possible audience; babies and toddlers differ significantly from those aimed at children even only some few years above this age. Young babies are brought into a busy world full of new information, new colours, sounds, sights - a "buzzing confusion" in which they're learning new things every minute of the day, and when they're not learning, they're already dreaming about the things they've learnt and letting their imaginations take over.
Therefore, books designed for babies and toddlers have to keep it simple and relevant - but in no way boring. Children of this age seem to young to take on board and understand a world of fairies, monsters and magical lands, they're far more engaged with exciting colours and touch-books they can lift and hold a superiority over. Books such as 'Baby's Very First Bedtime Book' illustrated by Stella Baggott or 'That's Not My Puppy...' illustrated by Rachel Wells are both different but great examples of successful children's book design for the ages of baby-toddler.
Before the 1980's, it was a common misconception that because babies couldn't speak, this meant they were entirely incomprehensible. Despite assumption, children of this age are constantly learning, understanding and becoming more familiar with patterns, voices, colours and textures around them. As we move forward from the 1980's into a generation of picture book illustration Renaissance, children even below the age of one year old are enjoying and reveling in a variety of new medias in which they're learning new information. Tablets, websites, DVD's, and of course, books combine 21st Century technology and expansion with classic picture and story books to compel and enthuse even the youngest of children.
Even if a book doesn't include 'touchy-feely' elements, it's not all about what the story means to a child who is yet to learn how to read, but rather sometimes the pace and rhythm of the words, whether that's for example in rhyming couplets or in the sense of "fun" words to hear and say (For example, "swishy swashy" found in 'We're Going On A Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury) the pattern of the words becomes a comforting rhythm to the baby. Any additional story telling pictorials only aid further, with fluffy patches and textured spots for the baby to grab, hold and explore.
To summarise, I feel the style of tactile picture books with little to no text are ideal for babies and toddlers, as this encourages a young child to explore a new world of colour and sense while also slowing down the buzzing world around them, reverting it all into easy, manageable and fun information in their own little 'learning world'. These books also leave generous leeway for a parent to talk them through it in a way that suits them, chatting with them and keeping them positive, happy and highly involved.
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