Did you know that regular read-alouds dramatically increase academic achievement?
It's true and summer is a perfect time to read-aloud and help your favorite kids find the "absolutely terrific, glued-to-the-page books"!
I miss the days of curling up on the couch with my kids for our nightly ritual of reading a book together. For those of you lucky enough to be in that age "zone", although Miss Bella sometimes still lets me read to her (from her teen-selected books, of course), I've compiled some of our family's favorite titles for you to check out at the library or your favorite bookstore.
When my kids were younger, I would check out stacks of books from the library and give them read-aloud "previews" of the selected books. I would not show them the title of the books, rather, I would read the first chapter or two of a book (under a blanket, mind you) and then let the four kids vote on their favorites.
For school age books starting in 3rd grade many states sponsor "Battle of the Books" competitions. Regardless if your kids participate in these reading/comprehension challenges or not, I have found the lists to be great resources for some of the best books that are hits with kids as well as educational in scope.
Here are a few links to some of the examples of these Battle of the Books lists that are typically selected by school librarians or reading specialists. The books are engaging, popular, represent different genres and typically are kid-favorites. The lists range from grade school (grades 3-5), middle school (grades 6-8) and even high school (grades 9-12).
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat was a Battle of the Book list required book that I loved as much as the kids!
One of my all-time favorite read-aloud books.
Younger Kids
Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood (also authors of the great Napping House series) - Younger kids love this depiction of how a little mouse will do anything to save his luscious strawberry from a big, hungry bear with a surprise ending.
Lucky Pennies and Hot Chocolate by Carol Diggory Shields - I love the excitement that a young boy has in anticipation of his grandpa visits as it reminds me so much of my "little guy" Connor's love for his grandpa, "Poppy" and all the special things they do together.
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen (and Owl Babies, also by Rosen) - Some of you may remember this camp hand song that builds on each crazy predicament after another but for the younger set, this visually appealing book will captivate.
The Very Kind Rich Lady with One Hundred Dogs by Chinlun Lee - You will love this story of the woman with 100 dogs, reading the various dog's names and seeing her cuddling with all her dogs.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff (Any from Laura Numeroff) - Oh no! What happens when you give a mouse a cookie? One crazy thing after another unfolds and you and your readers can laugh along together at any of Laura Numeroff's crazy series of books.
What Do You Say Dear by Maurice Sendak. This book teaches manners better than any other. I loved posing the far-fetched questions to my kids as it was a classic from my childhood as well.
Dear Bear by Joanna Harrison - This book really helped night time fears disappear with the letter writing between the scary bear living under the stairs and a little girl.
Sweet Dream Pie by Audrey Wood - I think my kids loved imagining the pie made with every sweet ingredient they loved - think candy, like gumdrops and licorice, with chocolate and powdered sugar oozing out of a dreamy pie.
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson - This great read aloud tells what happens when a hibernating brown bear wakes up in a deep, dark lair after a long, cold winter.
The Hat , Gingerbread Baby and The Mitten by Jan Brett - actually anything by Jan is amazing! The illustrations are gorgeous and often have "hidden" pictures to discover as you turn each page. I love all of Jan Brett's books but these three are probably our favorite to read aloud.
Tough Boris by Mem Fox - Even pirates cry. Any book by Mem Fox is going to be a good one but this one is particularly clever and reaffirming for anyone that has had to face the loss of a pet.
It's the Bear! by Jez Alborough - Great suspense builds in this cute story, perfect for pre-school aged kids three and up.
The Dog Who Had Kittens by Polly M. Roberts - This book gorgeously illustrates how Baxter the Basset Hound comes to the rescue of kittens who have lost their mama.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall is a great rendition of the famous story that also won the Caldecott Honor.
A Book of Letters by Ken Wilson-Max - was a favorite of my kids for years as the interactive lift-the-flaps and "real letters" invited participation into the read-aloud session.
In A Cabin In A Wood adapated by Darcie McNally - I personally always loved reading this sing-song adaptation of the familiar camp song in which animals seek shelter from a hunter in a little cabin in the woods.
A little bit older... (Kindergarten to grade 3)
The Real Story of the Three Little Pigs - by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. I love how this story swaps the perspective of the famous 3 little pigs to the wolf. Adults will get just as much enjoyment as the kids from this story.
Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin - truly takes you on the illustrated day to day life of a worm as depicted in a journal.
Peppe the Lamplighter by Ted Lewin - This great historical fiction story tells the story from a poor immigrant child's job of lighting lamps (street lights) in Little Italy in the early 1900s New York City. You will love the gorgeous illustrations along with the uplifting story reinforcing hard work and family values.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig - This classic Caldecott award-winning tale about Sylvester Duncan who loved to collect pebbles has a great moral about making wishes.
Mirrette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully takes place in Paris at a boarding house blending retired tight rope walker, Bellini with a young Mirrette and the interwoven relationship between the two and the topic of fear vs. confidence.
Miss Tizzy by Libba Moore Gray shares a sweet story about Miss Tizzy, the neighborhoods favorite elderly lady and the way she made each day extra special.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka- I'll never forget my kid's reaction when I read the "S" word (which in our house was a swear word)! This crazy, silly story is just the remedy for reluctant readers and boys who think they don't like reading stories.
Fanny's Dream by Caralyn Buehner- I loved this book that strays from the traditional notion of marrying a prince and happily ever after. Instead the book focuses on what is truly important in a happy life.
Those Icky Sticky Smelly Cavity-Causing but...Invisible Germs by Judith Anne Rice - I think every dentist office needs to have a copy of this book that illustrates the germs that cause cavities and how easy it is to simply brush the "bad guy" germs away.
Grade School to Middle School
The Wish Giver - Four wishes granted to four small-town folks with no trade backs. We read this one night while on vacation. We couldn't stop. We ended up staying up way past bedtime until we finished the book. All four of my kids adored this book and all the voices that I had to assume while reading it aloud.
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg - This was my own childhood favorite so I couldn't wait to read it to my own kids.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - This book has made me so mad at the boy that takes and takes from that sweet tree but I love it all the same and think it is a perfect book to teach about relationships and the importance of giving expecting nothing in return.
The Islander by Cynthia Rylant - This treasure of a story can be read in a single setting and will appeal to tweens and teens alike. Set in British Columbia on an island with a 10 year old orphaned boy, The Islander spins an interesting mystery with a magical love story that is hard to put down.
Gwinna by Barbara Helen Berger - This magical book will move you with the enchanted words, stunning artwork and the story of an abandoned girl paired with a woman longing for a baby accepting a gift from the owls with the condition that the girl be returned on her 12th birthday.
Thumbelina - Tiny Runaway Bride by Barbara Ensor (With the subtitle - a quick read for smart girls.) You may think you know the story of Thumbelina, star of Hans Christian Andersen tale about a tiny girl and a swallow, however, this book's interactive questions will keep you wanting to turn the pages in this quick chapter book we adored.
Choose Your Own Adventure Series - These books can be found in any library and make for a quick read. Be sure to designate who selects or takes turns choosing different endings to these engaging stories that can have countless different stories unfolding in one book depending upon what choices readers make as they read each page.
Tweens and Teens
Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret - This book is precious and profound. It totally moved Miss Bella. She ended up selecting it as her "book of the year" and reenacted the story for a report. This true story stars middle school girl, 12-year old Peg, who contracts polio in 1949 then depicts how she navigates the initial paralysis and eventually learns to walk. This book was our first Peg Kehret book and I am pretty certain we became such fans that we have read almost all her books in print.
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz - My friend Jennifer, who teaches high school English, read this to her students and encouraged us to read this book when my kids were in the 4-6th grade range. My two youngest were a little more "scared" while reading it but they still could not wait to urge me to "turn the page". We ended up gifting a copy of this to our school library and then later bought the sequel, which is all a page-turner. This story twists the typical Grimm fairy tales into a thrilling story filled with warnings to not turn the page. It's a must read!
Savvy by Ingrid Law - What if your Grandpa moves mountains, one of your brother's causes hurricanes, another creates electricity and now it's your turn to turn 13 and acquire your secret, magical power? This must read book spins fantasy and reality into a great tween book that will keep even reluctant readers captive.
Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman - My tweens and young teens loved this book that had us reading a chapter each night followed by a "clue" that we had to receive by watching a video on the computer to help uncover this captivating mystery. Warning that this book can be a bit scary for those that get nightmares easily.
I.Q. by Roland Smith - This page turning thriller unravels a great mystery when Q and his half sister spend the night in the White House with kidnappings, spies, terrorists and bombings - not for the faint of heart but intriguing for reluctant readers to delve into, for sure!
P.S. Okay, okay - I'll admit my list has more than 25 books because I have so many favorites! I hope there is something for everyone this way. I could have made a list of 100 favorites!
What are your favorite read-aloud books?
