How To Choose The Best Books For Your Pre-reader

This article on BabyCenter.com had good advice about finding the right books for your child:

Children's sections of libraries and bookstores can be overwhelming, especially when your child is just beginning to show an interest in books. How do you decide which books are best for a pre-reader? Here are [some] suggestions from reading specialists, teachers, and experienced parents:Find rhyming and word pattern books.

Preschoolers love to hear books with rhymes and word patterns, especially ones that are easy to memorize. They love to join in when they know how to finish a sentence: "One fish, two fish, red fish, BLUE fish!" Look for books with short, rhyming sentences and predictable structure: nursery rhymes, counting books, alphabet books, and poetry books. Books by authors such as Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, and the poet Shel Silverstein are good choices.

Pick books that fit your child's interest. Choose books about his favorite subjects: cars, trucks, zoo animals — even television characters such as Barney or the Teletubbies. The idea is to develop a love of reading, not a love of reading a certain kind of book. Take your child along with you to the library or bookstore. Don't restrict your child to one age group or subject. With reading, anything (within reason!) goes.

Seek expert advice. Librarians and preschool teachers know from experience what kinds of books preschoolers love. Ask for their recommendations.