Which Book Tonight?

What you need

• two board books they know

How to do it

1. Hold up two books, one in each hand, with the covers facing them.
2. Ask 'which book?' and wait without nudging either one forward.
3. When they point, pat or lean towards one, name it, 'the bear book', and read that one.
4. Offer the choice again the next night, with one of the same two.

Why it matters

Choosing the bedtime book is a decision a toddler genuinely cares about, which makes it one of the easiest places to get a real request rather than a polite one.

What they're learning

Asking with a gesture

Pointing at a cover gets them the story they wanted, which is a very satisfying result for one finger.

Making a choice

Two options, one decision, every night: a small routine that adds up.

Loving a book

Choosing it themselves is how a book becomes theirs rather than one you brought over.

What to look for

Watch for them reaching for the same book night after night. Wanting the same story again is a preference, clearly expressed.

A tip

Read whichever one they pick, even if it's the same one for a fortnight. Being understood is the reward that keeps them asking.

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