Some of the popular child's books have tough words.  The author is trying to keep with a certain rhythm and rhyme and pick very advanced words.  Don't worry.  Go to google and search for the title and author of the book.  Many times someone has a youtube video of them reading the book or a famous person has read the book.  This is a great way to get the rhyme pattern of books like "Chica Chica Boom Boom" or the words of "Where the Wild Things are."  The internet can be our friend. 

You are your child's first and most important teacher.  Don't ever forget that. Most children's pictures books are written between a 3rd and 5th grade level. You do not need to read all of the words,  There are 2 stories; one from the author and one from the illustrator. Read the pictures to your child.  Make-up your own names from the characters. Have them do some actions on each page.  Give your story a beginning, middle, and an end. They are benefiting from your reading.  Your child will not even know that you are not reading the words.

Yes! You child is listening to every word that you say even though they might be playing with some toys.  They are benefiting from your reading.  Still stop and attempt to show them the picture.  By reading you are still building their brain with words and a love for books. 

Yes! It may not seem like your newborn is getting out of the reading but their brain is taking in everything that you say.  They are building connection in their brain.  They are listening and at some point they will look at your eyes and smile at your voice.  They will start to talk (coo) with you and let you know that they love your voice.