Show toddlers the proper way to hold a book. Use a picture book as a model and show them that the pictures should be pointed right side up. Point out the binding of the book and show them the direction it should point (this also presents an opportunity to teach them the difference between left and right).
Read the book aloud to toddlers. While reading, illustrate left-to-right progression by placing your fingers under the words to show them the direction in which words and sentences are read.
Point to words and the illustrations that represent the words. For example, if the word "cat" is in the text and there is a picture of a cat, call attention to the word and point to the picture of the cat. Say, "This is the word 'cat.' Do you see a picture of a cat?" This will help familiarize children with high-frequency words.
Call attention to letters and images that begin with specific letters. For instance, point out the letter "B" and model the sound that it makes. Ask children to say the sound the letter makes along with you. If there is a picture of a balloon in the text, point to it and say the word, enunciating the beginning sound. Ask children if they can hear the sound in the word. Invite children to help you find more words on the page that begin with the letter "B."
Ask children to retell the story. Prompt them to tell you what happened in the beginning, middle and end of the story. Doing so will promote reading comprehension, a skill that is as important to reading as the ability to actually read the words.