When it comes to reading to your baby boy, smart parents have discovered that board books are just about the best invention out there. What are board books? Well, they're children's books that are made of a thinly laminated board - not just the front and back covers, but every page inside too. So why does this make them a good choice for baby boys?

Board books are built tougher and last longer

This is the number one reason to choose board books for baby boys. The usual paper-thin pages of books don't last long in the hands (or mouth) of a baby, as they are so susceptible to physical wear and tear. How often do you see beautiful baby books sullied by torn pages, food-smeared fingerprints, drool stains and scrunched up corners? Yes, it's all part of your baby learning to explore, but if you buy a board book, the board pages are hard and very sturdy, meaning the book will last longer and provide many more hours of reading pleasure in the hands of your little one.

Board books are smaller scale

Generally, board books are somewhere between postcard and A5 size, and up to about an inch thick because of the boards that make up each page. The smaller size of board books makes them very baby friendly - easier to pick up and handle, and easier for pages to be turned because they're thicker and bulkier for little hands to grasp. The smaller, friendlier also size means babies are more likely to pick up and explore board books on their own, in the same way that they would a toy. It also means the books are more portable when you're going out with your baby - you can easily fit three of them in your handbag!

Board books can be cleaned with a damp cloth

If you smear mashed peas on the pages of a normal book, no matter how you wipe it off the page will never look quite the same again. A huge bonus of board books is the thin coating of laminate that lets you wipe them clean of whatever lands on them, be it food, dirt, drool, or any of the more unpalatable substances that baby boys care to share with their favourite book. One quick wipe, and your board book is back on form (if only nappies worked that way too).

Board book versions of larger books usually have a shorter, simpler version of the same story

It has become quite a trend for popular children's picture books to be issued in a board book version as well. The board books are specially designed for younger children and babies; they are made from board (obviously), they are smaller in size than the original version of the book, and they also often contain an abridged, simpler version of the same story that is more appropriate for the attention span of very young children.

As you can see, aside from the literacy and language development benefits of buying and reading board books to your baby boy, there are a wealth of other reasons to embrace them as part of his bookshelf. The best board books for baby will stimulate his imagination and curiousity, help him to discover and learn new concepts, and strengthen the bond between you as you share special reading time together. The practical benefits of board books - tough, small, easy to clean, easy to read - are just extra bonuses that smart parents appreciate.