Most Mommy Penelopes I know think one of the biggest perks of having kids is that they get to share great books with them. I certainly felt this way when my kids were young. In fact, reading aloud to my kids is the single thing I miss most about their younger years. Screaming tantrums? No. Reading? Yes and double yes.
In my experience, though, some books translate better to being read aloud than others. Here is my list of tried and true “read aloud” favorite chapter books. Note that I read these to my kids when they ranged in age from 5-9, but you should (obviously) make sure you’re making the choices that are the best for your young audience.
- The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
- The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
- A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- The Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
- Tumtum and Nutmeg: Adventures Beyond Nutmouse Hall by Emily Bearn
- A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Matilda by Roald Dahl
- Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
- The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Why shouldn’t this time be as enjoyable for you, too, right?
Tell me: what are your favorite read aloud chapter books?
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What a fun list… I dont have kids yet, but reading with my parents is a favorite memory from my childhood & one that I look forward to sharing one day with my little ones.
A friend at work is reading the Percy Jackson books to her kids and they’re all loving it… so fun to have something *everyone* can enjoy!
Several of those were favorites of mine growing up! My boys (4 and 2) aren’t ready for chapter books yet, but reading is one of their favorite things to do. I’m glad we’ve instilled that love of books in them.
I’m reading The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective Teens with my soon to be 12 year old. We just started (we take turns reading aloud to each other) and so far we both really like it. As for my 2 and 3 year olds they love for me to read them Dr. Seuss books. Actually, they like for me to read thme just about anything. I’ll definitely be ordering all of the books you listed from the library. Most of them I haven’t read, but have wanted to!
Well, I don’t have kids YET, but I will share some of the books I look forward to reading my future children!!
-ALL of the Little House on the Prarie Books
-Ramona Quimby Age 8
-Little Women
-Secret Garden
The Little Princess
These were all my favorites growing up!
This post brought me back. I can vividly remember sitting in my room reading A Little Princess. Oh that imagination!! All Roald Dahl books, A Wrinkle in Time, so many wonderful books. I know my husband and I are both looking forward rereading some of our favorites when we finally get to have kids!
My two favorite things about parenting are reading aloud and family dance parties. Our favorite books are:
* Trumpet of the Swan by E B White
* The Lorax by Dr Suess
* Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
* Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
* Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems (for the under 5 crowd)
I was given the book “How to Get Your Child to Love Reading” by Esme Raji Codell as shower gift in 2003. It’s a great reference for pre-readers through middle school. I refer to it often.
We have read (and re-read, and re-read some more) The World of Pooh by A. A. Milne. We’ve also read Stuart Little, and all three Mouse and the Motorcycle books. I’m currently trying to decide on our next chapter book from all of the wonderful options. Thanks for your list!
Good additions to this list, guys. Keep these ideas coming!
The Tale of Despereaux is not for the little ones. The book gets seriously dark and freaky. I had to stop reading it to my six year olds.
I just want to add Charlotte’s Web (another EB White book) and The Last Of The Really Great Whangdoodles, which was written by Julie Edwards aka Julie Andrews (you know, Mary Poppins..). It’s sort of a junior Wrinkle in Time–a bit less intellectual, but very imaginative, fun, adventurous and full great life lessons. Great for boys or girls.
Good point, Jennifer, and one to take seriously. You have to choose books that are best for your kids. I always read several reviews for each book on Amazon and skim the book quickly before reading it to my kids, or giving a book to my kids to read on their own. I think parents have to take that responsibility seriously!
I know that my kids loved, for example, the Series of Unfortunate Events books, but, for others, they are too scary.
We all know our kids best and have to make these choices specifically and carefully.
I love several on the list but I must say my two favorites are The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Dahl. My girls adored them both around the age of 7.
And secretly, I adore Junie B. Jones but hesitated to read it til the kids were of an age where they understand good and bad choices very well. Junie can get a bit sassy (which we discuss while reading) but her antics have kept us all laughing out loud.
Thanks for this fun topic. I’m making a list!!
My grandmother used to read aloud to me from Shakespeare beginning when I was 5. Even though I didn’t understand the words, I liked the rythms and emotions they carried. She would also tell me the stories of the operas and ballets, so I grew up with an appreciation of those things.
I love reading out loud to my daughter. It is such a sweet time together. Thank you for all the suggestions.
Now that I am an avid Kindle reader I have started to put young chapter books on it to read with my son. It solves the holding up a heavy book problem of hardcovers and he LOVES to click the next button on the page. And as he is able to read more himself (only 4 1/2 now) I can make the text larger so it’ll be easier for him.
And Kindle has a lot of the classics for free!
I love the Robert McCloskey books for small children: Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal and One Morning in Maine. The last one is my favorite. All the A.A. Milne books are favorites. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. I love picture books, and The Napping House by Audrey Wood is a favorite.
I absolutely love your blog!! A girl after my own heart! I am also super organized and love lists, that’s how I get things done, duh!!
I am also in the BYW class and hope she has an advanced class for grads.
Going to bookmark your site and visit often!
Loving these suggestions!
@Sharon: I love anything by Don and Audrey Wood. When my kids were very young, we loved “The Big, Hungry Bear”.
We love any EB White, or Roald Dahl!
We’re reading Inkheart, by Cornelia funke right now, but it is a little scary! It’s hard to put them to sleep after you’ve just scared them. It is a great read though!
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I see a lot of interesting articles here. Bookmarked for future referrence.
My mother read all Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books to us on weekend mornings when we were young. With 6 children in 8 years, we fell across a wide age range when we started them (I think my youngest sister must have been about 2 or 3), but we all loved them. I still remember us all gathered around her in a huddle, clapping and chanting “‘Nother chapter! ‘Nother chapter!” while my father went to make us all more tea.
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I’ve been reading the OZ books to my kids (7 year olds). I have to change some of the story as I go along, but they’re none the wiser. We are on the 5th book now, but I wanted to switch it up a bit, so I’ll take your list to the bookshop with me next time to find something new. Thanks! And thanks to my sister Mere who led me to this list.
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