First 100 Words
This book uses real photographs of objects set against flat colors, organized by rooms and daily routines. It’s great for toddlers who are at the pointing stage because the real photos help them connect the pages to the actual items in their own home. Since there’s no story, it’s purely about vocabulary and recognition.
First 100 Words by Roger Priddy is estimated to take about 2.5 minutes to read aloud (100 words, about 0 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 0-3.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 2.5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Estimated word count
- 100Our estimate
- Sentences per page
- 0Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 1/5plain words
- Best for
- Ages 0-3Our editorial fit
Our review
This is a non-narrative reference book featuring real-life photographs of everyday objects. By grouping items by room or routine, it helps toddlers associate words with the actual things they see in their own homes.
Because it lacks a story, it serves as an excellent tool for focused vocabulary building and pointing games. It is ideal for children who are just beginning to name the objects around them.
Before you buy it
This isn't a storybook with a narrative. It’s a naming exercise, so don't expect it to work as a bedtime story.
Themes
- first words
- photographs
- vocabulary
- everyday objects
Books like First 100 Words
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Dear Zooabout 3.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?about 4 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read First 100 Words aloud?
About 2.5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 100. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is First 100 Words actually for?
Ages 0-3 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 0 sentences a page and vocabulary at 1 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does First 100 Words survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is First 100 Words a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it asks the child questions to answer out loud. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise First 100 Words?
It can. It scores 4 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read First 100 Words on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 0 sentences a page and plain vocabulary (1 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
Is First 100 Words part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the Bright Baby series. It stands on its own, so you can start here without reading the others in order, then move to the rest if it lands.
What themes does First 100 Words cover?
We tag it with first words, photographs, vocabulary and everyday objects. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
Lists First 100 Words is on
- 48 reviewed booksBooks for 1 Year OldsFind board books, touch-and-feel books, and flaps for 1 year olds. Includes realistic read-aloud times and age-appropriate selections.
59 reviewed booksBoard BooksA curated list of 60 board books for ages 0-3, including read-aloud times and durability ratings for books that survive chewing and rereading.