Read it LOUD! Great Reading

Find the books you'll love to read aloud

The question of what to read aloud can often feel like that eternal question, “What are we having for dinner tonight?” With so many choices, it is sometimes difficult to decide on the right book to read aloud to your child. When choosing a book, you may consider this menu of questions:

Is this book age or developmentally appropriate?

Most book publishers suggest an appropriate age range for the book right on the book. Advice from your librarian or bookseller and recommended reading lists can also help guide you.

Will this book interest my child?

Kids have different interests at different ages and stages. Bright colors, bold designs or photos of faces interest babies. Toddlers still like bright colors, but also animals, trucks, rhymes and silliness. Your preschooler probably has favorite things he likes to do everyday and would like to read about those too. As children get older, their interest in story and how things work grows. If after a few pages, you’re child isn’t interested in the book you’ve chosen, stop reading. Try another book.

Will I enjoy reading this book aloud?

If you are bored reading, your child will likely be bored listening. Find books you both love. As you get to know different authors and illustrators or get interested in characters or series, talk with your child about what you like and ask questions to find out what she likes.

Do I really have to read this book again?

Yes, you do have to read it again, probably many times. Toddlers in particular love repetition—and it helps them learn and understand language. But older children also like returning to the comfort of a favorite bedtime story.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be a book that you read aloud. Magazines, newspapers, cereal boxes, maps or catalogs are fun to share. So is reading a recipe—you’ll get dinner and reading done together!

 

Choosing Great Books

Parents feed children’s minds as well as their bodies. Try to offer quality food for thought in what you choose to read aloud. The resources below can help you identify great books to share.

Choosing Books for Babies and Toddlers

This resource from Zero to Three tells parents what kids ages 0-5 look for in a good book.

Chatting About Books: What Should I Read Aloud?

The Chatting About Books podcast series from ReadWriteThink discusses the best in children's literature and offers reading tips and fun activities to do with children before, during, and after reading.

RIF’s Guide to Choosing Good Books

This Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) brochure takes the mystery out of choosing good books.

Bookfinder

The PBS KIDS Bookfinder is an online tool for finding book suggestions. 

Great Books to Read Aloud

Below you’ll find links to respected organizations' lists of recommended or award-winning books. Use these book lists to help find quality literature for reading aloud to your child. Your local librarian or bookseller can also help you find books that meet your child’s interests.

Hot Off the Press

This unique online bibliography features anticipated bestsellers, either recently published or forthcoming, published by Children’s Book Council members.

Recommended Reading from the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

With help from her grandchildren, Katherine Paterson created this reading list for Oprah.com.

Award-winning books selected by the American Library Association

Each year the American Library Association (ALA) honors books and media for children and teens. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA awards, including the prestigious Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards, guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth.

Children's Notable Lists

Each year the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's books, recordings, videos, and computer software.

Children’s Choices Reading List

In this reading list, children themselves judge the books and write reviews of their favorites. Since 1974, Children’s Choices have been a trusted source of book recommendations used by teachers, librarians, parents—and children themselves. The project is co-sponsored by the International Reading Association and the Children’s Book Council.

100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know

The New York Public Library provides this classic list.

Great Illustrated Books for Ages 0-8

Author James Patterson’s READKIDDOREAD.com helps parents and educators connect their children with the books that will turn them into lifelong readers.

Drop-Everything Reads: Favorite Read-Aloud Titles for Families of D.E.A.R. Readers

On Beverly Cleary’s April 12th birthday, these are some of the titles families are encouraged to “drop everything” and read together for National D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) Day.

The Treasury of Read-Alouds by Jim Trelease

Book titles and brief reviews to help you make sound read-aloud choices from the author of The Read-Aloud Handbook.

Favorite Read Alouds at the Elmhurst Public Library

These titles were a hit at story time at the Elmhurst Public Library in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Photo source: kodomut (Flickr - Creative Commons license)