Read Aloud Books

I’m a book junkie. I simply love to read! Experts tell us that kids learn to love books from parents who love books, and who read to them often—even in the infant and toddler years.

With younger children, great giggle-inducing titles are easy to find and just beg to be read aloud. Even for older kids, having a great book—either a classic like J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan or a contemporary title like Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo—read aloud (one chapter per night) is a treat. You may find that when the chapter ends, they’ll often beg you to keep reading!

To find out which read aloud books will make your kids anxious to gather around for a thrilling adventure or a journey to a far-away land, read more!

1. The Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis. These books will appeal to children of all ages with younger children enjoying the magical characters and older children grasping the deeper spiritual themes.
2. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Journey with the Ingalls family as they live as pioneers on the prairie.
3. Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Learn about friendships of all kinds with 10-year-old Opal and the scruffy stray dog she finds in the produce department.
4. Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne. Especially endearing for younger readers, enjoy the gently humorous prose about life in the Hundred Acre Wood.
5. Stuart Little by E.B. White. Stuart is a little mouse living a big adventure with his family in New York City.
6. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. A great choice for older kids who have a taste for mystical adventures.
7. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. A contemporary book written with the flair of fairy tales of old. A brave and big-hearted mouse learns of love and forgiveness.
8. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Even if they’ve already seen the movie, the wonderful prose of this adventurous tale will make Alice’s story new again.
9. Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales. Younger children will delight in the mischief of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, and all of the lovely characters of Miss Potter’s imagination.
10. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Join five children as they finally get a peek inside Willy Wonka’s wacky chocolate factory.
11. American Girl Mysteries. Girls of all ages will love solving mysteries with their favorite American Girl characters.
12. Here Comes the Parade! by Tony Dungy. This story provides a great opportunity to talk to your children about honesty and integrity.
13. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Two fifth-grade best friends invent a magical world together, until tragedy strikes. Good for older children.
14. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. Boys will love this tale of young Sam Gribley who escapes life in New York City by running away to the mountains to survive with meager supplies.
15. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary. Younger kids will love the pluck and quirkiness of honest Ramona.
16. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Spirited Anne is an orphan who finds love and a place to call home with an elderly couple on Prince Edward Island.

Once your children experience the passion, joy, and wonder of living vicariously through their favorite book characters, their reading list will constantly need to be replenished. For more books to read with your children, check out the iMOM Book List.

Dana Hall McCain writes about marriage, parenting, faith and wellness. She is a mom of two, and has been married to a wonderful guy for over 18 years.