A young child's book collection does not need to represent every topic. A few sturdy books that are easy to handle and pleasant to revisit can support many short reading moments. Start with the books your child notices rather than the size of the shelf you hope to fill.
Look for clear pictures, manageable pages and subjects that connect with ordinary life. Faces, animals, household objects and simple repeated language can give you things to point out together. Check the book's condition and age suitability, including any attached pieces. A damaged flap or loose component deserves attention before the book returns to a young child's hands.
You can name a picture, follow the child's pointing or stop after a few pages. There is no need to finish every text in order for the time to count. If the child returns to the same spread, talk about what is there rather than hurrying to introduce something new.
Keep a small selection where reading usually happens, outside the infant sleep space. Put the remaining books elsewhere and swap them when interest changes. Too many visible choices can make the shelf harder to use, especially if they fall into a pile each time one is removed.
Library borrowing can help you discover what the child enjoys before buying. Check the library's board-book arrangements and care expectations. A book that becomes a repeated favorite may be worth owning, while others can simply be enjoyed during the loan period.
For gifts, suggest one or two books that would fill a genuine gap rather than asking for an entire series by default. Duplicate favorites are not necessarily a problem if one lives with another caregiver, but they should have a purpose rather than accumulate unnoticed.
Reading can fit into a few available minutes after a change, before an outing or during quiet play. It need not always occur at a fixed ceremonial time. A small collection earns its place through use: familiar pictures, repeated words and the opportunity to share attention without a performance or a quiz.