I always liked the "What to Expect..." books. They touch on brain development through pregnancy, the first year and the toddler years. Although they are not focused on brain development. I have found that my pediatrician can usually offer good suggestions for books too.

lyban, are you looking for this book for your own personal use or for research?

I am an early childhood instructor for a college so I may be able to help.

No this is not for research, it is for personal use.
My grand-daugter is now 9 months and I was telling my daughter that many people believe that the first 3-4 years is crucial in the development of toddlers for later on in life.
I just thought that there might be some good reading material for her.
Not that she isn't a fantastic mother but any knowledge is good.

Talk talk talk to her, play music and take her everywhere. Every new experience builds dendrites!

If you look on Amazon, there are tons of books on this subject.

Nine months! What a fun age!

While I don't know of any specific book, I have to agree with cyn427 suggestions as well as read, read, read to her. I read to my DD from the day I brought her home from the hospital. Can't emphasize enough the value of introducing books into a child's life. Also, did the county "library hour" program for preschoolers. She attended every week from ages 2 to 5. She loved it!

I can't wait to see what responses you get on any related book. I have a neice on the way, and that would be book I'd love to give to my SIL!

I am sure your daughter is doing what she needs! Really, what infants and toddlers (and beyond) need is attachment-- think of responsive care. Infants esp. TELL us what they need, only we have to read their cues. For example, babies loved to be rocked-- well, this helps with their sense of internal organization and as cyn says, makes those neural connections!

Talking and reading are essential . . .but so is movement, eye contact, etc.

If your daughter likes to be online, this is a GREAT site:
http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/

This one is more for parents (see articles): http://www.handinhandparenting.org/

Excellent video from Harvard (short): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLiP4b-TPCA&feature=view_all&list=PL3FE76C2079261526&index=1

This does not apply to your daughter, but it ALWAYS makes me cry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbSp88PBe9E&feature=related

As for a book-- more difficult. I have a great one but it's a textbook and written for caregivers. So many books intertwine parenting styles, which people sometimes are offended by, if that make sense. This one might fit the bill for you-- there is another but I think this one is less technical/more fun to read: http://www.amazon.com/dp/159240362X/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

The book Deep Nutrition (Amazon), written by a MD Cornell researcher and practitioner, deals in some of the chapters how food (and she goes into great depth) determines how we develop in infancy and during pregnancy.
I recommend it for anyone pregnant, wanting to get pregnant or with babies.

Bumble - I just ordered that book. I ready through all the reviews, looked inside, and it looks really interesting!

I'm really glad you did shee. I've thought about you in regards to it.

WoW! Thanks for the responses.
Cyn: Yes we do talk talk talk to her and have her dancing to music and try bringing her to new and interesting places. This is such a fun age.

workinprogress: we do try reading everyday. I am not sure if this is just normal for a 9 month old but she will not stay still for a book. She is very active and does not like to be held very much. So we do continue to try and read but am wondering if she is just too young to stay in our lap and enjoy a story or is she is just particularly antsy.

Anele: Thank you so much for those on line sites and recommendations. I will take time to go thru them all and look at that book on amazon. Thanks for the time you took to write all the recommendations.

Bumblebeez: That book sounds interesting even though she is done with the pregnancy part and infant stage. But never know there might be another one someday.
My daughter does make all the babys food and is very up on all the nutrition as far as what she can and cannot eat.

I am enjoying being a gramma for the first time and this little 9 month old is growing so fast. It seems like yesterday I was asking you all for color choices when we were planning her nursery.
It is for this reason, that they grow so quickly that I do not want to miss the boat with things we can do to be the best we can.

{{gwi:1514107}}

When DD was little there were interactive books where the child pushes a button in a certain part of the story and it makes noises, reads a sentences, etc. I would not stop reading to her. Some of the books had a colored strip of buttons down the side to be pushed for certain sounds. Its a fidgety age at 9 mos for reading, but certainly worth it.

I would try find something more attractive for her current personality, books with textural elements like Pat the Bunny (think that's the title). Have you taken her into a book store that has a children's area? I see parents with kids of all ages in the local Barnes & Noble and I mean little ones crawling around the floor dragging a book. The staff at our B&N are wonderful with the kids.

We swear by having read to our DD from the day she came home from the hospital.

Right now DD's really into reading the classics. A phase for sure. I know this as last summer it was suspense-type books. As long as I see her reading for pleasure, content is of no matter!

workinprogress:
Thanks, those are really good suggestions and I will bring her to a large store near me with a childrens section.
I thought that she was too young for that but you make a good point. I am anxious now to bring her.
Your dauughter sounds like she really enjoys books and I think that is such a gift. That is what I wish for my little grand-daugher.

She is TOO CUTE! Oh my gosh-- you must be so proud!!

Yes, at 9 months they can be wiggly. Avoid the temptation to read the book to her, word for word. It's better to just look at it with her and talk about the pictures. As she gets a little older, she will have more patience to be read to in the traditional sense.

One thing we do re: books is to have books in every room except the kitchen. Our LR has a wall filled with bookcases, and they are mostly children's books (I have 4 kids, though). We have a bookcase in the dining room, playroom, and their bedrooms. (They bring books into the bathroom, LOL!)

If your DD does not have the space for this, one easy thing is to get little baskets/bins with board books. We finally bought one of those really ugly sofas for kids (always had chairs before that were not eyesores), and I have to say, I wish I'd done it before. My youngest LOVES it. She sits on her little sofa and reads books to herself. (Put the basket near the chair/sofa.) She may start doing this more as she gets closer to 12 months, or whenever she starts walking if she has not begun yet.

Here's a book recommendation that will take you through her entire childhood..
This book gives wonderful suggestions for books to read out loud to all ages. In fact, the author makes a great point about continuing to read aloud as a family well past the point that children can read themselves. The recommendations are not just listed, but described so you have an idea of whether that particular story will interest you. It's a terrific book!

Here is a link that might be useful: The Read-a-Loud Handbook

When my older son was very young, 1-2 year old, we did not have access to a variety of age appropriate books, we were still in USSR. But I had a wonderful art book of Michelangelo's and Raffaello's work and we would look those colorful photos of their Madonnas. My son would ask me to show it, calling "Donna, donna" - part of it was the colorful photos and part was the attention and connection of shared time.

Thanks again for the replies . I have found one book suggested at my library and have just ordered two other suggestions from a used online bookstore.
I think I have lots of info now and I agree with everyone that just sitting and talking and showing pictures at this stage will be a good start.

Another book that has age appropriate activities is Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready by Oberlan (I think).

What a cute picture!

I asked my sister, mother of a 4 yo & a 2 yo, what she would recommend. First, no tv or videos. Not even Sesame Street until they about 3.

Compared to my niece, my nephew didn't seem interested in being read to but they continued to read to both of them & now he also loves it & asks for books and sits still.

Three books for you & your daughter to read: The Case for Make Believe, Bright from the Start, and Your Child's Growing Mind.

Thanks again for more suggestion.
I just took your childs growing mind out from my library and am reading it now.
And bright from the start is one of the ones I ordered yesterday fom a used book dealer.
Thanks.