It’s never too late and your kids are never too old for you to read aloud to them. Exposing your kids to stories will help them academically and emotionally throughout their entire lives. Here are a few of my best read aloud book recommendations:
Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards: A charming story set in the English countryside about an orphan who restores an abandoned cottage and garden and rediscovers the meaning of home and family. I read this aloud to my daughter when she was nine years old.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis: I read this aloud to my son as part of our homeschooling year when he was in second grade, and it was magical. It brought up so many thoughtful questions about good and evil, kindness, and true strength. I’ve loved this story since I was a little girl and am glad my kids are growing up with it too. We even had a Narnia themed party! Click here to see us in full costume.
From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Koningsburg: I think a good way to find good books to read aloud to your kids is to recall which stories stood out to you from your own childhood. This is one of them. The tale of two siblings banding together to run away and live in a museum is a fun one for kids to get sucked into.
Fortunately, The Milk by Neil Gaiman: I’m a sucker for Neil Gaiman’s quirky, imaginative storytelling, and this is a delightful story told from a father’s perspective of the unexpected adventure that happened when he went to the corner shop to buy some milk.
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale: This is one of the books that helped me fall in love with fiction. A modern-day retelling of the Goose Girl fairytale, kids (and adults) will love entering the enchanted world of a girl who can talk to animals.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle: My first-ever introduction to speculative fiction and one that has never left me. If you didn’t like the movie version of this classic, do not write off the original story. It’s a must, in my opinion.
Harry Potter series, illustrated editions: If you know me, you’ll understand why I couldn’t make read aloud recommendations without including Harry Potter. It’s such a magical, immersive world with characters that come to feel like best friends, and every child deserves to have this story living in their imagination. P.S. Click here for my guide to Harry Potter World, if you’re planning on reading the books then going, which I highly recommend! It’s one of my favorite places on planet earth.
The Martian by Andy Weir: This one is for older kids, maybe twelve or thirteen on up. I read the classroom edition aloud with my daughter and it’s her favorite book to-date.
Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson: A beautiful book written in verse from a boy’s perspective about his father, who struggles with brain injury after his glory days as a football star.
Esparanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan: A young girl faces difficult changes after a tragedy causes her to move with her family from their affluent life in Mexico to a farm labor camp in California. A good exposure for kids to grief and finding strength by overcoming difficult circumstances.
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate: A beautiful tale told from the perspective of a tree about friendship, inclusion, and memories. I read it aloud with my daughter and we both loved it.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio: A needed message of including people who are different from us in our circles of kindness and friendship.
