“The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.” This powerful finding from the landmark report Becoming a Nation of Readers has stuck with me throughout my journey as both a parent and educator.

When I started reading aloud to my foster son, he had possibly never been read aloud to before entering our home. It took him a little while to get used to the routine, but I will never forget the day when he “read” to me Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? He was so proud of himself and had learned to love storytime.

Whether you’re just starting your family reading journey or looking to enhance your current routine, this comprehensive guide will help you choose the perfect read-aloud books for every age and stage. Let’s explore how to create magical reading moments that your family will treasure for years to come.

Why Read Aloud to Your Family?

I didn’t fully understand the profound impact of family read-alouds until I witnessed it firsthand. My top goals as a mom were that my kids love Jesus and love books. When my son started playing David and Goliath after our family Bible time, you can see the lessons of the Bible becoming part of his life. He hears the words, he sees the pictures, and he reenacts the story himself, ingraining the lessons into his heart.

Reading aloud does more than just entertain – it’s a powerful tool for development:

• Brain Development: Children who are read to regularly show enhanced language processing and vocabulary skills
• Emotional Connection: Sharing stories creates intimate family bonds and opens doors for meaningful conversations
• Attention Span: Regular read-alouds help children develop longer attention spans in our fast-paced world
• Lifelong Reading Habits: Children who associate reading with positive family experiences are more likely to become avid readers
• Emotional Intelligence: Stories help children understand different perspectives and process complex emotions

Best Read-Aloud Books for Babies (0-12 months)

I started reading aloud to my children when they could hold their heads up, so I could lean them against my chest and they could see the pictures. At this age you could read nursery rhymes, simple board books, or the indestructible books. You’ll find some books will grab their attention more than others, they will want to interact with the books too… usually by eating them!

At this age, babies need books with:

• High contrast images (black and white patterns are especially engaging)
• Photos of faces (babies are naturally drawn to human expressions)
• Simple, uncluttered illustrations
• Sturdy construction (they’ll want to explore with their mouth!)

Top 5 Baby-Tested Recommendations:

1. “Black & White” by Tana Hoban
2. “Baby Faces” by Kate Merritt
3. “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown
4. “Pat the Bunny” by Dorothy Kunhardt
5. “First 100 Words” by Roger Priddy

Tips for Reading to Squirmy Babies:

• Keep sessions short (2-3 minutes is fine!)
• Use animated voices and expressions
• Don’t worry about finishing the book
• Let them touch and explore the pages
• Make it part of your daily routine

Toddler Read-Aloud Picks (1-3 years)

Each of my kids had their favorite book as a toddler. At this age, be prepared to read the same book every night. They will probably memorize it and “read” it back to you eventually. For my daughter, it was Madeline. For my son, it was Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? and my foster son, as I already mentioned loved, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? This is a perfect activity for kids of this age. They are learning how sounds make words, how words go with pictures and mean something, and they like the predictability of the words being the same every single time the book it read.

Toddlers thrive on repetition and interaction. What might seem monotonous to us is actually crucial for their development. They’re learning to anticipate what comes next and building confidence in their understanding of the story.

Top 8 Toddler Favorites:

“Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr.

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle

“Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?” by Dr. Seuss

“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr.

“The Little Blue Truck” by Alice Schertle

“Press Here” by Hervé Tullet

“Madeline” by Ludwig Bemelmans

“Potty” by Leslie Patricelli

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Preschool Book Selection (3-5 years)

This is the age where stories really come alive! My children loved funny books at this age, especially silly ones like The Book with No Pictures and Nothing Rhymes with Orange. My kids will randomly quote lines from their favorite picture books such as “Glug glug glug. My face is a bug. I eat ants for breakfast right off the rug.” (The Book With No Pictures). During this time you will find kids love books that show them the experiences of life that they are having or about to have, and also funny words and rhymes and pictures. Some of these books are my favorite books in the world!

Look for books that:

• Teach gentle life lessons
• Encourage imagination
• Introduce early concepts
• Feature relatable situations
• Include humor and silliness

Top 10 Preschool Read-Alouds:

“Caps for Sale” by Esphyr Slobodkina

“Corduroy” by Don Freeman

“Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch

“The Book with No Pictures” by B.J. Novak

“The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson

“Dragons Love Tacos” by Adam Rubin

“The Bears’ Vacation” by Stan Berenstain

“Pete the Cat” series by James Dean

“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” by Mo Willems

“The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats

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

“Snowmen at Night” by Caralyn Beuhner

“My Teacher Is A Monster” by Peter Brown

“Are We There Yet?” by Dan Santat

Early Elementary Choices (6-8 years)

Around this age is a wonderful time to begin reading short chapter books with yours children. Most of these early chapter books include pictures for each chapter, as a transition between picture books and text-only chapter books. During these years there are a lot of excellent picture books as well, such as non-fiction choices of subjects your child is interested in learning more about.

This is an exciting time as families begin to explore chapter books together. Look for:

• Books with occasional illustrations
• Chapters that end with cliffhangers
• Stories that can be read in manageable chunks
• Topics that interest the whole family

Top 10 Chapter Book Read-Alouds:

1. “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White
2. “The Mouse and the Motorcycle” by Beverly Cleary
3. “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown
4. “Henry and Ribsy” by Beverly Cleary
5. “Farmer Boy” by Laura Engalls Wilder
6. “The Adventures of Penguin and Panda” by Brenda Maier
7. “A Grain of Rice” by Helena Clare Pittman
8. “My Father’s Dragon” series by Ruth Stiles Gannett
9. “Zoey and Sassafras” series by Asia Citro
10. “The Tale of Despereaux” by Kate DiCamillo
11. “Fantastic Mr. Fox” by Roald Dahl

Middle Grade Selections (9-12 years)

As your kids get older, the books they are interested in will tackle harder subjects. These are books that might strike up discussion over dinner about what it means to be a good friend, or be honest, or how to deal with bullies. By reading these books together as a family, you will have a great starting place to have these discussions.

At this age, books can:

• Address complex emotions
• Explore ethical dilemmas
• Build critical thinking skills
• Foster empathy and understanding
• Generate meaningful family discussions

Top 10 Middle Grade Recommendations:

1. “Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery
2. “Freewater” by Amina Luqman-Dawson
3. “Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster” by Jonathan Auxlier
4. “The War that Saved My Life” by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
5. “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” by J.K. Rowling
6. “A Single Shard” by Linda Sue Park
7. “The Indian in the Cupboard” by Lynne Reid Banks
8. “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio
9. “Holes” by Louis Sachar
10. “The Chronicles of Narnia” series by C.S. Lewis

Teen Read-Aloud Options (13+ years)

I haven’t gotten to this stage with my kids yet, but I love to read books for this age group. Teens are learning to differentiate from their parents, so a lot of stories for this age group are about finding out who you are and what your place is in the world.

Don’t stop reading aloud just because your kids are older! Shared reading can:

• Create natural opportunities for difficult conversations
• Maintain family connections during busy teen years
• Introduce classic literature in an accessible way
• Provide shared references and inside jokes

Top 10 Teen-Appropriate Selections:

1. “The Giver” by Lois Lowry
2. “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury
3. “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
4. “The Scarlet Pimpernel” by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
5. “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom
6. “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” by Mildred D. Taylor
7. “The Great Gilly Hopkins” by Katherine Patterson
8. “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
9. “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
10. “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien

Tips for Successful Family Read-Alouds

All families have their days of struggle getting through their bedtime routines, and our family does, too. Some nights the kids start crying about something (from being too tired) and we have to cut down on our storytime. The other night, my son got frustrated trying to read and had a melt-down. After going to his room for a few minutes, I asked him if he wanted to come back for storytime or go to bed. He was able to calm down and come out again, enjoying the rest of the evening with our family together again. If your family experiences bumps on the road while reading, it’s normal. I encourage you, keep trying! Reading together as a family is worth it in so many ways!

Make your read-aloud time special:

• Create a cozy reading space
• Keep a regular schedule
• Let children doodle or play quietly while listening
• Take turns choosing books
• Don’t force it if someone’s having a bad day
• Use different voices for characters (they don’t have to be perfect!)
• Stop for questions and discussions
• Be flexible with your routine

Common Read-Aloud Challenges and Solutions

Every family faces obstacles to regular reading. Here are solutions to common challenges:

Different Age Groups:

• Choose books that work on multiple levels
• Take turns picking age-appropriate books
• Have older kids help read to younger ones
• Use paired reading: picture books for little ones, chapters for older kids

Attention Span Issues:

• Start with shorter sessions
• Try audiobooks
• Let kids move or draw while listening
• Break up longer books into manageable chunks

Screen Time Competition:

• Make reading time screen-free for everyone
• Create special reading rewards or challenges
• Pick books related to favorite shows or games

Conclusion

Remember, there’s no “perfect” way to read aloud to your family. What matters most is spending time together with books you enjoy. Start where you are, even if it’s just five minutes a day.

I’d love to hear about your family’s favorite read-aloud books! Share your recommendations in the comments below, and let’s build a community of reading families together.

Ready to start your family reading journey? Try my 30 Minutes for 30 Days Storytime Challenge. Pick one book from the age-appropriate list above and set aside time today. Those few minutes of reading could be the beginning of your family’s most treasured tradition.