Get Caught Reading: 15 Favorite Read Aloud Books

May begins in one week. That’s right, just one week. When I think of May, I think of end-of-school activities, Mother’s Day gifts, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, and that hint of summer in the air. I recently found out that May is Get Caught Reading Month. In honor of this, I’m hoping to share some of my favorite reads all month long. What better way to start than with a list of my favorite read-aloud books to share with children.

I love children’s books. My own kids are past the read-aloud stage, but I still have shelves and cupboards full of picture books. Sometimes, I even get to read one or two of them to my 12-year-old if he’s in a good mood. And when I do, his teenage sister is often listening in.  Maybe they’re really not too old to read to after all.

Benefits of Reading

We all know that reading is beneficial to kids. It’s also great for adults. It exercises our brains and improves concentration. Reading can help develop imagination, empathy, build vocabulary and language skills, and teach us about the world beyond our own. Reading together in our families gives us time to sit and enjoy something together. It helps us build happy memories and traditions.

I taught elementary school reading for five years and one of the best parts of the job was helping kids find the joy in reading a good book. My students struggled with their reading skills and were usually at least a grade level being their peers. I would look for something at the appropriate level that they were interested in. Find a book that they like, and it’s like magic. They want to read.

How to Encourage Reading

I have often used the “read a chapter or two” technique to get my kids into a book. This is when I read just enough of a book to draw them into the story and then set it down to get back to other things. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve caught a child reading ahead just to see what happens next.

I  also recommend parents check out books with CDs from the library. This way, a child can listen and read along even if an adult can’t take the time to read to them. I know many low readers who have benefited from this technique. It;s also a great way to entertain your family on long car rides. One summer, we listened to the first four Harry Potter books on CD driving from California to Colorado and back again.

Keep books at the ready. Whenever I would take my kids somewhere they would have to wait, I’d bring along plenty of books. These days it seems like people just hand over their smart phone or iPad to keep them busy,  Keep books in the cars, in their rooms, around the house. I discovered that some of the students who struggled most were the ones who didn’t have books to read at home.

Choose age appropriate books. Don’t get books that are too difficult for them. See the list below for some great ideas.

Get caught reading yourself. If your kids see you reading, their more likely to follow your lead. And share what you discover with them.

Our local library has a summer reading program. Check around your community to see if there is something similar. Every summer I sign the kids up and we have prizes and/or rewards for reading a certain number of books. I’ve even signed up for the adult reading program. It encourages us all to keep reading over summer vacation.

The Big List of Fun to Read Aloud Books

The trouble with this list is I have so many books I love, it’s been nearly impossible to narrow them down. I’ve tried my best. Please note this post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more details.

 

Pre-Readers

Yes, you can read to babies and toddlers and pre-schoolers. This is the best way to get them interested in reading early. Books with colorful illustrations, fun rhymes, and things children recognize are all good for pre-readers.

How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills

Rocket the dog learns to read with the help of yellow bird. This story includes letter sounds, blending, and reading. A New York Times best-seller.

 

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.

Learning the alphabet is an important step in learning to read. This book is a fun, rhyming way to learn the abcs.

 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

This one is a classic, but most of Eric Carle’s books fit into this category. So pick one that interests your pre-reader. We also like The Grouchy Ladybug and Papa, Please get the Moon for Me.

 

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

One of our favorites for bedtime. This is an oldie but a goodie.

 

Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

A great bedtime story. I must have read this thousands of times. Another Rathmann favorite is Officer Buckle and Gloria.

 

 

Early Readers

These are kids who are beginning to read on their own. Have them read these books with you and to you. One tactic I’ve used is to read one page and then have my student read the next. Another important thing to keep in mind is repetition. We may get tired of reading the same book over and over, but it is an important way to get those words into their brains.

 

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

Early readers will catch on to the repetition in this one and learn those words quickly. It’s a fun story to read and often produces some giggles.

 

 

Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

I can remember sitting in my great-grandmother’s lap and asking her to read this with me over and over. I did the same with my own children. It’s the story of a peddler who loses his caps to a band of thieving monkeys and how he gets them back.

 

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

This is being made into a movie voiced by John Cena and Kate McKinnon. How fun is that? But every child should read the classic version too.

 

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss wrote so many great early readers, but this is the classic one so I’m lncluding it. We also love One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?

 

My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems

I can’t really say this is my favorite Elephant and Piggie book because I love all of them. But this is a good one for teaching empathy and the value of friendship so that’s a good place to start. My son still has these on a shelf in his room and I occasionally catch him reading and laughing at them.

 

Independent Readers

Once kids can read all by themselves, we may be tempted to stop reading to them. I think this is a big mistake. First of all, we should be reading what they’re reading just to be sure it’s age and content appropriate. Second, reading together is a great family past time that can start meaningful discussions, bring families closer together, and is just plain fun.

 

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

This is such a beautiful book. It alternates between text and illustrations. It’s listed for ages 9-12.

 

The BFG by Roald Dahl

I could recommend many of Dahl’s books, but this one is really fun. The movie was good too, but read the book together first. Recommended for grades 4 to 6.

 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Reading this series together is a great family activity. We did it as a family and I know several others who did too. The books get more grown-up and intense as the story progresses so you might want to start these after age 8 or 9. Once you start, you won’t want to stop and you’ll want your kids old enough to handle the ending. They’re also coming out with amazing illustrated versions.  See the second listing.

 

The City of Ember by Jeanette DuPaul

This is a good introduction to science fiction and post-apocalyptic story telling. I would recommend it for 5th grade and above. It’s also the first in a series.

 

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

If you and your kids love dragons, brownies, witches, fairies, and all things fantasy this is the series for you. Fablehaven is the first in a series of five books. Recommended for fourth grade and up.

 

 

There you have it, 15 books to read aloud. Get caught reading in May. And please share your favorite books in the comments below. I’m always looking for a recommendation.

 

Thanks for reading!