It survives a toddlerA board book that tears on the second reading is not a bargain. For the youngest ages we look at how a book is bound before we look at the story.
It gives a grown-up something to doThe best books at this age are not read silently. We favour ones with something to point at, count, or ask a question about on every page.
It is not a worksheet in disguiseIf a book only drills what our printables already drill, it does not earn a place here. These sit beside the practice rather than repeating it.