At six months, he chose to read books, and at 3.5 he read on his own. Books were like toys, and we read to him, and he loved the stories. I'm sure it expanded his memory and his life. We had FUN doing it together. Board Books are great.
Books are also comsumables.
Children should be exposed to books right from when they are infants by reading to them. Before that children shouldn't be burdened by the books, moreover most of them would find it easy to tear it thaan to go thru its contents. Children should be exposed to books at a young age. It helps develop their creativity and imagination. Children do need to exercise their brains when they are young.