Reading aloud is one of the most important things parents/guardians can do with children. When you read aloud to a child you are introducing new words, vocabulary, modeling fluent, and expressive reading, and helping the child experience the joy in reading. It is also important to expose children to different types of literature (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc.). Here are some of my favorite read alouds I enjoy sharing with my students.
Mo Willems Books
All of Mo Willems books include cartoon style pictures and an interactive story. These books are silly and hook young children into loving books.
Goodnight Moon
It is always good to have a bedtime story that is soothing that tells the kids its time for bed. The pace, rhythm, and repetition as the little bunny says goodnight to all the things in his house and beyond work to gently lull kids off to dreamland.
The Snowy Day
The Snowy Day follows a boy discovering the pleasures of new-fallen snow. This introduces children to enjoying the little things in life with lively language.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
All of the Eric Carle books are wonderful with all the colorful pictures. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is my all time favorite out of all of the Eric Carle books. It is a counting game story with flaps and holes. The kids enjoy interacting with this book and following the life of a caterpillar.
Dr. Seuss Books
All Dr. Seuss books are great! There are colorful illustrations, silly words and pictures, and rapid-fire rhyming text, which will likely encourage multiple readings.
Last Stop On Market Street
Last Stop on Market Street, which won the 2016 Newbery Medal as well as a 2016 Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award for illustrator Christian Robinson, is aimed at younger readers but holds valuable, uplifting life lessons for all ages. It teaches the value, and fun, of acceptance, generosity, appreciation, and imagination in a less than perfect world.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
It’s hard to be a kid (and a grown-up for that matter) and not all days are great days. Sometimes we have bad days. What should we do when we have bad days?
Laura Numeroff Books
All of Laura Numeroff books “If You Give A….” are great stories. They are silly and has rhythmic text and circular tale. Helps kids with rhymes and sequencing.
Busy, Busy Town
This story has beloved characters that young children love. Visit the school, the farm, the post office, and many more fun and exciting places in this classic book that teaches little ones all about what goes on in their very own communities.
Early Literacy Resources 