Read Aloud Books For Families

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How To Build A Love Of Reading

Welcome - I hope you will enjoy reading this lens about the fun (and importance) of reading aloud with your family. I'll discuss why reading together is so great for families, what kinds of books make good read-aloud material, what ages to read to, and of course you'll find a list of wonderful books to start with plus links to other articles and suggestions that will get you off on the right track. Whether you're just starting out or are a reading aloud pro, this lens is for you. Please feel free to add your favorite books and comments in my guestbook. With so many books to choose from in libraries and bookstores, your recommendations mean a lot.

Family Members Who Read Together Stay Together 

or, it's the book that binds

The Hobbit, Black Beauty, The Secret Garden, A Wrinkle In Time... do any of these books bring back great childhood memories? They do for me. You see, I am an avid reader (okay, you really wouldn't want to know how many books I can devour in a week's time). The summer between grades 3 and 4, I read 103 children's novels. Unfortunately, the weren't read aloud with my family. You see, my parents stopped reading aloud after I started school. And so we never shared together all the lovely stories I cherish from my childhood.
I vowed I would not let that happen when I had children. These stories of adventure, love, friendship, family togetherness, fantasy and more are meant to be shared with someone you love.

If you have older children, you probably already know that the last offering in the Harry Potter series came out last July. It's a fun addition to your list of books to read or talk about.
Many parents and grandparents are busy with Christmas shopping. Be sure to add great books to your list of christmas gifts this year. I still have signed copies of books given me by a favorite aunt as I grew up. They have become cherished memories of her now that she has passed away. Especially in this day of computer and video games, a beautifully bound book with a special message from you is something to be treasured.

Reading Aloud In The News 

Timely articles about the importance of reading aloud to kids.

Reading aloud is certainly newsworthy. Just check out these great articles about how families and communities are supporting and making it work.

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Book Lover Shopping Websites For Families Who Read 

Find Special Gifts for Readers

Looking for a great gift for a book lover, your favorite school or community librarian, or a child from a reading family? Here are some of our favorite shops that offer fun reading slogans on gift mugs, library tote bags, book lover t-shirts, personalized children's books and other gifts for readers.
Biblio Gifts
Great collection of reading t-shirts and gift items including book lover clocks, Kiss Me I'm A Librarian t-shirts, Encourage A Healthy Addiction - Read To Your Children t-shirts and other funny book lover slogans.
The Reader's Shop
The Reader's Shop offers gifts and apparel that showcase books, reading, librarians, well anything to do with the world of books. Find I Love My Library t-shirts, My Mommy Reads To Me tees, Born To Read and other fun bibliophile slogans.
Main Street Book Lover T-shirts
From I Love Mr. Darcy to A Room Without Books Is Like A Body Without A Soul, you'll find many fun reading slogans on sweatshirts, book tees, canvas library totes, reading mugs, kids reading apparel and more. Stocking stuffers include reading magnets, book lover buttons and keepsake boxes and other items.
Melanie's Library Shop
This fun shop is organized by the Dewey Decimal system! Look under 000-099 for books, librarianship, and under 800-899 for writing, poetry, drama, novels, literary theory & criticism, and Shakespeare. Find fun t-shirts, stocking stuffers for readers and other Christmas gifts for your favorite bibliophile.
Personalized Children's Books

Personalized Children's Books. Click here!

This website offers wonderful personalized books for children ages 0-12, which include their name right in the story.

Scholastic Children's Books

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Border's Books and Music

Borders Gift Cards
Snoopy Store
This shop carries all kinds of Snoopy and Peanuts Gang t-shirts, posters, mugs and gifts. I still remember reading many a Charlie Brown and Snoopy book out loud with friends in grade school.

Our Family Read-Aloud Favorites 

Just had to share our favorite books.

Here is a list of our top favorites for reading aloud. Many are older books, not all are in print but check on Amazon.com or Abe's books to find used copies. Well worth the hunt!
  • A Little Princess
    My Father's Dragon
    The Harry Potter series
    The Mouse That Roared
    The Wonderful Flight To The Mushroom Planet
    Calling On Dragons
    A Walk Into The Woods
    Chin Ling The Chinese Cricket
  • The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
    Henry Reed's Journey by Keith Robertson
    Henry Reed's Babysitting Service by Keith Robertson
    Rascal by Sterling North
    101 Dalmations by Dodie Smith
    The Phantom Tollbooth
    San Francisco Boy by Lois Lenski
  • Little Britches by Ralph Moody
    Man of the Family by Ralph Moody
    The Home Ranch by Ralph Moody
    Mary Emma and Company by Ralph Moody
    The Fields of Home by Ralph Moody
  • What's For Lunch, Charley?
    The Narrow Escapes Of Solomon Smart
    Misty of Chincoteague
    The House At Pooh Corner
    Tico And The Golden Wings
    Frog And Toad Together
  • Horton Hears A Who - Dr. Seuss
    C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles Of Narnia
    The Happy Hollisters (large series)
    Mrs. McFig And Her Very Big Wig - soon to be published!
    The Red Balloon
  • NOT IN PRINT BUT CHECK ON EBAY OR AMAZON:
    Old Black Witch by Wende & Harry Devlin
    Venus Boy (great story; very hard to find)

Links to Reading Aloud Resources 

articles, other blogs, where to buy books and more

Still not convinced reading aloud is worth the time? Click & read some of the articles linked here. When you're ready, check out the links for where to buy books and what other families experiences have been.
RIF Makes A Case for Reading Aloud
RIF - Reading is FUNdamental, makes it case for the importance of reading aloud.
English Children's Laureate Adds Her Stamp of Approval
The Children's Laureate for 2005-2007, Jacqueline Wilson, offers sounds words of advice about not missing out on the reading experience with the over 5 crowd.
MORE Milestones Books Reading and Literacy Shirts
To help promote literacy wherever you go, check out our reading bumper stickers and t-shirts for librarians, volunteers, reading teachers, parents and of course children of all ages who are learning to read! 100's of designs to choose from, from Jane Austen to Sherlock Holmes, I Love Books to Future Reader.
Do's and Dont's For Reading Aloud from Jim Trelease's Read Aloud Handbook
Jim Trelease offers great ideas for every family to make reading aloud a natural part of your family life.
Great Reading T-shirts And Gifts For The Whole Family
Want to promote the love of reading? Here's a great website that offers tons and tons of fun reading designs on t-shirts in sizes for the whole family. Book tote bags, reading buttons, kids reading shirts and baby book designs on onesies and bibs, plus tons more.
Publish Your Own Children's Book!
Children love to hear stories their parents have made up. Do you think your stories could appeal to others too? Why not take it a step further, and publish your own children's book? Here is a link to one company... if you pursue it let others know what your experience is like in our guestbook.
A Way To Publish Books On Demand
Or, if you are interested in publishing your special family stories one book at a time, CafePress offers black and white (no color at this time) printing and binding services. You can create your own book, and buy just one copy, or let other family members buy them! Or, if you're ambitious, you can offer them to the public right on CafePress.
What Makes A Good Young Picture Book ?
WHAT MAKES A GOOD YOUNG PICTURE BOOK?
Marilyn Singer asked a group of authors, editors, and other book people this question. Here are their responses, along with some of their recommended titles...
A good picture book should also be a good read aloud book in my opinion.
Landmark Editions Nat'l Children's Book Contest
Children ages 6 to 19 who are interested in writing and illustrating their own children's book can enter the "David Melton Memorial Written and Illustrated By..." contest for kids, offered through Landmark Editions.
For more information, see their website.
Make Your Own Read Aloud Literacy T-shirts

It doesn't get any easier than this, a website that provides the tool to design your own book lover t-shirts! Add your own slogan, and/or your own photo, then click and purchase. You can see what you are making as you create it. Choose from many fonts and colors to express yourself with. Shirt styles for men, women and kids are offered, with several color choices. This is really a fun way to make unique shirts that say exactly what you want them to. Great for library staffs or reading specialists too.
What Books Do You Read Aloud?
wis.dmWhat books do you read aloud to your kids and why?answer

Reading T-shirts And Gifts For Book Lovers 

Looking for great gifts for book lovers, or a way to promote reading? Check out these great reading t-shirts and bumper stickers.
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Great Read Aloud Books On Amazon 

buy and ship straight to your door

Here are some of our family favorites. We hope you'll add them to your own collection!

Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers

The beginning of the Ralph Moody series... it will whet your appetite for more. Collect them all - you'll be glad you did.

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Henry Reed, Inc. (Puffin books)

If your family has never met Henry Reed, you are in for a treat. This creative young entrepeneur finds many ways of making money, from scientific research to babysitting, in the Henry Reed series of books. Laugh out loud fun in Henry Reed, Inc., Henry Reed's Babysiting Service, and Henry Reed's Journey (a personal favorite.)

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

The Time Quartet Box Set (A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters)

Before Harry Potter there was Madeleine L'Engle's great science fantasy collection. Still relevant in today's world, these books are wonderful read aloud material. Ms. L'Engle has other books we have enjoyed, such as her Austin family series. Try them all!

Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Old Favorites Now On Amazon! 

Find old favorite read aloud books from private sellers on amazon.com

Tico and the Golden Wings (Knopf Children's Paperbacks)

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

My Father's Dragon

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Old Black Witch!

Wonderful story and a great read aloud favorite! If you find a copy at a good price, grab it. It is sure to become a treasured book in any family.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

A Fish Out of Water

I have this book memorized, we read it so often to our oldest son. Imaginative and timeless.

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Books pics to whet your appetite! 

longbookcase by sundayschoolrebel

Oh! Do you remember when I told y'all about my Dad building me a long bookshelf...

Reading her favorite book by Carolee From Vernon

There is dad reading to Olivia - one of her favorite books called

hobbit by loresui

Ilustraci%uFFFDn de Alan Lee para el cap%uFFFDtulo %uFFFDUna tertulia inesperada%uFFFD de %uFFFDEl H...

Marguerite Henry's Misty by Napalousa

The Misty of Chincoteague statue at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Tigger by Szmytke

After Piglets failure in

Banned Books by Cashiers Community Library

What books are hidden under these censored covers? Find out by lifting up the &...

The Book Of Friendship by Mrs RJ

Wish List Book - I hope to own a copy one day

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Vintage Children's Books 

I'm apparently not alone in my need to collect vintage children's books. Here are a few other collections for you to enjoy.

Vintage Children's Books by *jenny b allsorts

Rustic cabinet in the living room holds my Oz books and other vintage children's...

My Children's Book Collection by Anna Day Mona

I took this of my Children's book collection that I keep in my preschool classro...

Thrifted Vintage Children's Books by LarkingAbout

Vintage Children's books (my main passion), sewing patterns and linens in a vint...

Vintage Children's Books by ulle.b

Lloyd's of Kew window display

Antique Children's Books - IMG_4171 by greensh

Shelves of antique children's adventure books.

Vintage Children's Books On eBay 

Find old favorites or discover a new read-aloud favorite when you browse these book offerings on eBay.

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Children's Book Reviews On Favorite Blogs 

Looking for a good book to add to your collection or for some read aloud fun? Here are some blog posts about books that look interesting to me.
Joyce Anthony - Ghost For Rent by Penny Lockwood review
Eleven-year-old Wendy feels like her world is falling apart when her parents discuss getting a divorce. She and her twelve-year-old brother pack up and move into a house that is reported to be haunted......

Read Aloud Favorites For Older Children 

Pre-teen and Teenage Kids Can Love Read Aloud Family Circles

If you've established a tradition of reading aloud in your home don't give it up just because the family is getting a little older! Even busy pre-teen and teenage children can snuggle in and enjoy some relaxing time with parents and siblings while you share a favorite book together.
Here are a few of my personal favorites; add yours in the guestbook below!
  • Victory - Susan Cooper
    Harry Potter Series later books - J.K. Rowling
  • Shaking The Nickel Bush by Ralph Moody
    The Dry Divide by Ralph Moody
    Horse Of A Different Color by Ralph Moody
    These are the final three books in the series that Ralph Moody wrote about his experiences growing up. The style is more grown up, with Ralph being a young adult and dealing with life on his own. Very family friendly!
  • Three Cups Of Tea - Young Adult Version
    This book tells about the experiences of Greg Mortenson, who tried to climb K-2 in the 1990's and found out about the need for schools in poverty stricken areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. He now has an organization called Central Asia Institute that does just that! The Young Adult version just came out in Jan 2009.
  • Dewey - The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched The World by Vicki Myron
    Our Middle School aged son was enthralled with this book and the antics of Dewey the library cat. It is a wonderful book to read aloud.

Read Aloud How-To Books 

Learn about reading aloud from the experts.

Shop for Read Aloud manuals from experts like Jim Trelease.

The Read-Aloud Handbook: Sixth Edition

Jim Trelease Read-Aloud Handbook

Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Hey! Listen to This: Stories to Read Aloud

Stories to Read Aloud by Jim Trelease

Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

How to Get Your Child to Love Reading: For Ravenous and Reluctant Readers Alike

Wonderful ideas for getting your child to love books and reading.

Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

The Children's Literature Lover's Book of Lists

Love lists? You'll love this book of children's literature lists.

Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Baby Read-Aloud Basics: Fun and Interactive Ways to Help Your Little One Discover the World of Words

Interact with baby and get an early start with reading.

Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Share your opinion about reading aloud. 

Sound off about reading aloud to kids.

Here's your chance to tell how you feel about reading aloud to kids. Does it really make a difference? Answer in the poll, and you can also leave a note in the guestbook.

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Back To School With Great Books 

New Read Aloud Favorites For The 2008-2009 School Year

Kids are heading back to school and some look forward to that daily read aloud story time with their teachers. Here are some books they might be hearing this year:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Brown Bear, Brown Bear
The Very Busy Spider
The Giving Tree
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
The Little Red Hen

Tip - Since kids love repetition,consider purchasing some of these to continue reading aloud at home after the teacher has finished the book.

New Additions To Favorite Book Series' 

Read Aloud Series Books Are Great

Here are some new release additions to favorite kids' book series for 2008. Having a new story with familiar characters is a great way to keep kids interested in reading aloud.

The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl, Book 6)

New Book In The Artemis Fowl Adventure Series

Amazon Price: $10.47 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Donate To Room To Read 

Education and literacy bring hope to the world's children.

I don't often endorse the work of a non-profit in a public website that I run, but I was so taken with the Room To Read organization and it's mission to use education and reading to change the lives of children around the world. Truly literacy can change the world.
From the Room To Read website, here is their mission statement:

"We partner with local communities throughout the developing world to provide quality educational opportunities by establishing libraries, creating local language children's literature, constructing schools, providing education to girls and establishing computer labs. We seek to intervene early in the lives of children in the belief that education empowers people to improve socioeconomic conditions for their families, communities, countries and future generations. Through the opportunities that only education can provide, we strive to break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time."

Room to Read partner with local communities throughout the developing world to provide quality educational opportunities by establishing libraries, creating local language children's literature, constructing schools, providing education to girls and estab

We at Squidoo passionately believe in creating new ways to support good causes online. By making a donation to Room to Read from this page, you are sending money directly to that organization, in whatever amount you want. We don't touch it. We don't even see it. The author of this page doesn't either. And if you made it this far, thanks for caring.

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Using Your Voice To Enhance The Story 

I was talking with my next door neighbor's daughter a few years ago about reading aloud and she told me how much she always enjoyed her Dad's reading because he always added interesting voices to the characters in the books.
It's a simple thing to use your voice to make the book come alive! This video is a great example of how to do that. Whether you are reading to a single child, or your whole family, you can employ some of the techniques shown in this youtube video to make your reading time memorable.
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Read About John Wood - The Founder Of Room To Read 

Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur's Odyssey to Educate the World's Children

Read the fascinating story of entrepreneur John Wood and the organization he founded. Room To Read has a four-star rating with Charity Navigator.

Literacy Gifts And Apparel 

Raise awareness about literacy.

Cute literacy t-shirts, book tote bags and literacy gifts.
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Share Your Favorite Books Too 

Family reading favorites.

Does your family have a list of favorite books? Just add them here, so others can check them out! Don't have a lens? It's easy to make one...

dustytoes wrote...

My boys tended to dislike reading and one of the ways to get my youngest son to enjoy it more was to read with him. I'd read a page and then he'd read a page. He didn't mind since I was "helping him out". I really like your lens and even if you can only find one other family member to read with- do it! I will be adding a link to it on my "Books for Boys" lens. 5 stars!

ReplyPosted April 09, 2009

Child_Health wrote...

Great lens! You've got a wonderful collection of read aloud books here. I'd love it if you'd drop by my lens and say hello when you have the chance.

ReplyPosted March 14, 2009

slotowngal wrote...

Please remember to add some Read Aloud books to your family's Christmas list. You'll love the time you spend together.

ReplyPosted December 03, 2008

RedPanda25 wrote...

Great lens! Welcome to my Childrens' Books group! I really enjoyed your lens! 5*

ReplyPosted July 28, 2008

rms wrote...

Thank you for adding this great lens to the Our Favorite Squidoo Lenses Group!

ReplyPosted July 03, 2008

 
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