10 Books To Read Aloud With Children

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

One of the best ways to form strong family bonds is to read out loud with your children, even after they are old enough to read independently. There is nothing like rediscovering a book I loved as a child when I read it again with my own child, nor is there anything like the unexpected blessing of being able to instruct and guide my children by drawing connections to the books we have read together. 

Here is a list of read-aloud book ideas that have captured the attention of my children, who range in age from baby to eight years old. Some are books we’ve read recently that left my children begging for more, others are family favorites to which we frequently return, and all of them can be as engaging for the adult reading as they are to the child to whom they are read.

I hope they inspire you to begin reading out loud with your children, or if you already do, that this list will give you fresh ideas and new directions to take your read-aloud journey.

01 | East o’ the Sun and West o’ the Moon illustrated by P.J. Lynch

This classic fairy tale is about a young woman who must travel the world to find and rescue her love after her actions accidentally curse him to marry another. (If you are familiar with the ancient Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche, you already know the basics about this story.) I’m partial to the gorgeously detailed Lynch illustrations, which tell the story almost without the need for words.

02 | Locomotive by Brian Floca

This book somehow seamlessly combines working on a steam engine, riding a train across the country, and westward expansion. You won’t begrudge reading this one repeatedly; it’s just that good. And don’t be surprised if you find your eight-year-old reading this one to himself. 

03 | St. George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

Another picture book (and even heavier on text than Locomotive), this one is perfect for any knight lovers and dragon fighters in your life. Like Locomotive, it’s a picture book that is a commitment to read, but it’s going to be worth it. 

04 | Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

If you’re just starting out with reading aloud from longer books or you have a younger child who’s ready for more than just picture books, Little House in the Big Woods is a great start. The chapters are short and the story is episodic, painting a captivating picture of daily life during the pioneer days, told through the eyes of a five-year-old girl. Some of the sequels are better for older children, but all of the other books in the series make wonderful read-alouds.

05 | Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl

Another option if you’re dipping your toe into read-aloud books with chapters. This one is short, and the premise is hilarious: three incompetent farmers try to catch a fox who has been stealing their chickens, with increasingly comical results. Reminiscent of the antics of Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner from the Looney Tunes TV show, this one will have you and your children in stitches.

06 | Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming

You may be familiar with the movie starring Dick van Dyke, but did you know that the movie was based on a book written by the same author as the James Bond series? Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a story about a family that breathes new life into an old car and gets more adventure than they bargained for. (They even discover the hideout of a notorious gang of robbers.) This book is good, wholesome fun. Is it completely unbelievable? Yes. And that’s part of the fun. 

07 | Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

Don’t let the pop culture version of Winnie-the-Pooh fool you: this book appeals to a wide range of ages. Your ten-year-old will get some of the jokes that go over the toddlers’ heads, and you will get some of the jokes that go over the ten-year-old’s head. And what’s better than a book that is enjoyable for adults as well as many ages of children? Books that have a sequel! The House at Pooh Corner contains further adventures of Christopher Robin and his woodland friends while maintaining the charm of the original.

08 | Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

The quintessential pirate adventure story, the syntax of this book makes it the most potentially challenging title on this list. I suggest finding a copy with illustrations, or perhaps looking for a good audiobook version. Don’t be discouraged if it seems like some of the dialogue is unintelligible: even some of the characters in the story don’t always understand the pirates’ talk, so you’ll be in good company.

09 | Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald

Another classic! Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle helps many a harried parent cure common childhood behavioral “ailments” such as teeny-tiny-bite taking and fighting-quarreling with humorous but effective methods. Come for the silly illnesses and sillier cures, stay for the solidarity about parenting.

10 | Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

This book is a hidden gem; it depicts the story of how a group of Norwegian schoolchildren smuggled some of the country’s gold bullion past the occupying military force of the Nazis. The writing may not be as polished as some of the other titles on this list, but this book is a great option for teaching a child about the wide-reaching impacts of war but without the graphic violence. It’s also a story about the resourcefulness, patriotism, and courage of schoolchildren.