We read aloud to both of our kids (almost 10 and 6) every night and have since birth. It’s been amazing to rediscover some of our favorites and amazing new books alongside our kids. Reading with them gives us the chance to talk about some of the things that happen in the book and engage them in the story even more.
Here are some of our favorite family read alouds, great for preschoolers through 3rd grade or so. Included is a rough estimate of how many sittings it might take to finish them. Some nights we read for 10 minutes, others up to 45 minutes, so don’t stress if it takes you more or less time. Whether you read to your child at breakfast, before dinner or at bedtime, it’s all good!
If you want to delve deeper into the topic, be sure to check out The Read-Aloud Family, with tips of selecting, reading, and talking about books as a family.
Looking for books to share with older kids? Be sure to check out our Family Book Group titles to share with upper elementary and middle schoolers.
Click on the covers to go to our catalog and place a hold.
One Night Reads
Mercy Watson
Series
By Kate DiCamillo
Topics: Humor, Animals, Full Color Illustrations
A pig, who lives with humans and loves butter toast, has adventures and mishaps.
Our Friend Hedgehog
By Lauren Castillo
Topics: Animals, Friendship, Gentle Read
After a storm, Hedgehog is separate from her friend and sets off to find Mutty.
Rabbit & Bear
Series
By Julian Gough
Topics: Humor, Friendship, Heavily Illustrated
An unlikely friendship leads to some silly adventures in the forest.
Three Night Reads
Sophie Mouse
Series / First Book
By Poppy Green
Topics: Animals, Gentle Reads, Illustrated
Each story features a very slight conflict, but is mostly about lovable friends and family in a forest.
Inspector Flytrap
Series
By Tom Angleberger
Topics: Humor, Mystery, Illustrated
A venus flytrap, with a goat assistant, wants to become the greatest detective ever.
Seven Night Reads
My Father’s Dragon
By Ruth Stiles Gannett
Topics: Classic, Adventure, Fantasy
This is technically three separate stories in one book, following a boy and a dragon on three adventures.
Heartwood Hotel
Series
By K. George
Topics: Animals, Friendship, Gentle Read
A luxury hotel for animals in the woods! Four books, one for each season.
Planet Omar
Series
By Zanib Mian
Topics: Realistic, Friendship
A new house, a new school, can Omar stay out of trouble and maybe make some friends?
I’m Just No Good At Rhyming
By Chris Harris
Topics: Poetry, Humor
So not a chapter book, but these poems beg to be read aloud and shared! You can read the whole thing or skip around.
More Than a Week (and even possibly a month)
The Wild Robot
By Peter Brown
Topics: Animals, Adventure, Humor, Science Fiction
A robot wakes up on a wild robot and seeks to find her purpose.
The Tale of Despereaux
By Kate DiCamillo
Topics: Animals, Adventure, Friendship
A young mouse dreams of being a knight in a kingdom where spoons have been banished.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
By Grace Lin
Topics: Adventure, Fantasy
Any Grace Lin book makes a fantastic read aloud, but this is the story that starts them all.
Charlotte’s Web
By E.B. White
Topics: Animals, Classic, Friendship
The telling of a special friendship between a pig and a spider.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
By Roald Dahl
Topics: Adventure, Humor
A boy with nothing finds himself on a grand tour of a chocolate factory full of fantastic creations.
The Doll People
By Ann Martin and Laura Godwin
Topics: Adventure, Fantasy, Friendship
This story of two families of dolls who come to life when no one’s looking is a delightful mystery adventure.