I love this question and I love Barbara's advice. I'll just add that it sets you up for developing an amazingly good habit. I wasn't too successful with reading to an active, older baby who only wanted to take the book from me and chew it, but we always tried, and I still read to my almost nine year old son, almost every night, for 30-60 minutes depending on how much time we have. Very few parents that I know still read to their children once the kids are able to really read on their own. The books I read to him at night are my choice, and I work hard at picking the right ones. But it is our favorite time together, even still! He can't get enough. And I can't help but feel that there is a correlation between this and the fact that his reading ability is several grade levels above where it needs to be.

I think this is either a young child asking this (which I would hope) or this is a fake letter.

Barbara - This is a lovely story! We had a similar experience when our daughter was 5 months old and on the first road trip. It ended up with my husband in the back seat while I drove, reading to her. It was the only thing that calmed her down.

A better question for the OP to ask him/herself though is this: Why WOULDN'T you read to your baby? What would stop you from doing that? It's not harmful, it's good cuddle time, it gives them a focus...I mean, I dunno. I guess I don't understand the question at all.

My son was a very early reader and, at 11, now reads at a high school level and remains an enthusiastic reader. Clearly, much of this is inate ability, but I can't help but wonder how much my reading to him as an infant contributed to his love of words. Starting at about 3 months, I read to him every day; not out of a desire to educate him, but just because I love to read and it was great cuddle time. We both responded most to books with a strong rhyme and cadence structure (love, love, love the Sandra Boynoton books) and there are a million and one boardbooks that fit this description. (I found that TJMaxx and Marshalls often have a decent selection of discounted board books.)

I just want to mention a little story. I know a couple expecting their first child about ten years ago. Every night, the father would read a story to the mother's belly. When they discovered the sex of the child, he would frequently reference her name. The day of her birth, after she was born, the father softly called his daughter's name. She turned her head towards his voice. They are deeply bonded. Does anyone really need another reason to read to your child?

I second RH's comments. I've been reading to my daughter since she was a newborn. It all started when she was in those days when her body didn't know day from night and we'd cuddle up and read stories at 3am because I didn't know what else to do with my wide-awake newborn. She's older now - 5 yrs old - and with her recent interest in "chapter books", our pre-bedtime reading adventures have been one of the best bonding expriences we could have every day. I love how excited she gets to see what's going to happen tomorrow night. I love how I get to quiz her on what happened last night to help develop her memory skills and prep us for tonight's chapters. I love seeing the joy on her face as we cuddle up together to read stories. There's no doubt in my mind how important this 1-on-1 time is with my child and how much we *both* get out of it. I plan on reading to her before bedtime for as long as she'll let me!

When I was nursing my girls, which took upwards to 40 minutes, I would read to them books that I treasure. I read "Little Women" to my oldest and "To Kill a Mockingbird." Both girls, now 3 and 1, will sit with me and be read to every night and love to look at books on their own.

Yes, yes, yes, read to your baby! We started with the ubiquitous Goodnight Moon and even at 2 months old, I could tell he was staring at the pictures and paying attention. He still loves to be read to now and is fascinated by letters. He knows them all and even what sounds they make and he's only 2 1/2.

My husband was skeptical about reading to our new baby years ago--"what's the point? he can't even understand what we're saying?"--but he did it anyway and was amazed at how much our son ended up loving books. Time goes by so fast, that even though it seems silly to read to a baby, soon your baby will be a toddler picking out his/her favorites and bringing them to you to read! Why wait? Baby books only take a minute to read anyway. We're talking about reading for a few minutes a day, maybe a couple times a day. Make sure they're baby books--three or four words per page, simple pictures, bright colors.

I'll just say, this morning as I was getting ready for work, my 3 year old went into my 14 month old's room and said, why are you crying, do you want me to read you a book. She then started to read from memory and picture clues "Are you my Mother" to the baby, and both were as happy as could be. It was a fantastic moment.