Two First Books, Two Different Ways to Read
If you're looking for a first book for your baby, you've probably noticed that not all baby books are the same. The Wimmer See & Say Board Book and the Flutter By Birdie Book both introduce reading to infants, but they do it in completely different ways. One is a sturdy board book built for visual development and early word recognition; the other is a soft, sensory book designed for touch and interactive play. Choosing between them depends on your baby's age, your reading goals, and how you plan to use the book.
What Each Book Offers at a Glance
- Wimmer See & Say Board Book: Capture baby's attention with high-contrast images and easy-to-read letters. Foster baby’s vision and language development from day one. As baby grows each page offers simple words and images to support beginning reading skills and image recognition. This 8-page book is made of sturdy board for easy wiping. Plus, it’s compact for travel – diaper bag friendly! The high-contrast design supports newborn vision development, and the simple words grow with your child into toddlerhood. The wipeable board format makes it practical for everyday use and on-the-go reading.
Wimmer See & Say Board Book - Flutter By Birdie Book: Little ones will have a fun time with the Flutter by Birdie soft book. Featuring 6 pages of follow-along fun with a tethered crinkle birdie. Includes crinkle, peek a boo flaps and a pom pom accent, plus loop for attachment to links and closure to keep pages tidy. Inspire your little reader-to-be with this touch and feel baby book from the Cherry Blossom Days collection by Manhattan Toy. The soft fabric, crinkle sounds, and peek-a-boo flaps engage babies through touch and sound, making it ideal for sensory exploration during tummy time or quiet play. The loop lets you attach it to a stroller or play gym.
Flutter By Birdie Book
Key Differences: Board Book vs Soft Book
The Wimmer See & Say Board Book is made of sturdy board pages that resist drool and can be wiped clean. It's designed for visual stimulation with high-contrast images and clear letters, and it aims to support language development from birth onward. At 8 pages, it's compact and easy to toss in a diaper bag.
The Flutter By Birdie Book is a soft fabric book with crinkle paper, peek-a-boo flaps, and a pom-pom accent. It's safety rated for infants and up, though the tactile benefits are more likely to begin around 6 months and up. The tethered crinkle birdie adds an interactive element that a board book can't match.
- Material & Durability: Wimmer See & Say: Sturdy board pages that wipe clean. Flutter By Birdie: Soft fabric pages that can be hand-washed but may not withstand heavy drool as well.
- Sensory Engagement: Wimmer See & Say: Visual only – high-contrast images and letters. Flutter By Birdie: Multi-sensory – crinkle sounds, peek-a-boo flaps, and a pom-pom accent.
- Age Suitability: Wimmer See & Say: Suitable from birth for vision and language. Flutter By Birdie: Safety rated for infants, but tactile play is more effective around 6 months and up.
- Portability: Wimmer See & Say: Compact and diaper-bag friendly. Flutter By Birdie: Has a loop for attaching to links, but the soft pages are bulkier.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you want a book that can start at birth and grow with your child into early reading, the Wimmer See & Say Board Book is a solid choice. Its high-contrast images support newborn vision, and the simple words help with image recognition as your baby becomes a toddler. The wipeable board means it can survive meals and outings.
If your baby is already reaching for toys and responds to sounds and textures, the Flutter By Birdie Book offers a more interactive experience. The crinkle birdie, flaps, and soft fabrics make it a great sensory toy for tummy time or quiet play. The loop also lets you attach it to a play gym or stroller, adding versatility.
Both books are from Manhattan Toy and represent two different philosophies of early reading. There's no wrong choice – it's about what fits your baby's current stage and your reading routine.
Price and Value
- Wimmer See & Say Board Book: Catalog price USD 4.50 (catalog comparison price USD 9.00). At a very affordable price, this board book offers long-term value as it transitions from visual stimulation to early reading.
- Flutter By Birdie Book: Catalog price USD 14.00 (catalog comparison price USD 28.00). The higher price reflects the multi-sensory design and fabric construction, which provide a different kind of play and learning experience.
