If you’re looking for a great way to spend quality time with your kids, consider the power of the bedtime story. I have wonderful memories of my husband sitting in the lamp-lit hallway, reading to our kids tucked in their beds. I’d find my teenagers snuggled into a corner nearby, listening. It’s a sweet time to be together and a great way to wind down before sleep. Sharing stories unifies us, but also increases vocabulary and knowledge in ways nothing else can. Take time to do it as often as possible. You won’t regret it.
Here’s a list of some of our favorite read-aloud books with suggestions for age appropriateness. If your children are pre-school ages, see Our Favorite Picture Books.
FANTASTIC READ-ALOUD BOOKS
My Fathers Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (Ages 5-10)
Charlotte’s Web by E.B White (Ages 5-10)
Roald Dahl books. Our favorites are Danny, the Champion of the World, Matilda, and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. You can’t go wrong with Roald Dahl! (Ages 5-12)
Chickens in the Headlights by Matthew Buckley (Ages 5-12)
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (Ages 5-10)
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald (Ages 6-10)
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (Ages 6-10)
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (Ages 6-12)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (Ages 6-16)
The Great Brain series by John D. Fitzgerald (Ages 7-12)
Pax by Sara Pennypacker (Ages 7-12)
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling (Ages 7-16)
The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli (Ages 8-12)
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan(Ages 8-12)
Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald (Ages 8-14)
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (Ages 8-12)
Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart (Ages 8-14)
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (Ages 8-14)
The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw (Ages 9-14)
Three Times Lucky by Shelia Turnage (Ages 9-14)
Rump by Liesl Shurtliff (Ages 9-14)
Ella Enchanted by Gale Carson Levine (Ages 9-14)
Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Ages 9-16)
The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Ages 9-14)
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George (Ages 9-14)
Raymond and Graham by Mike Knudson (Ages 8-12)
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (Ages 9-16)
Peter & the Starcatchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson (Ages 10-15)
Number the Stars by Louis Lowry (Ages 10-16)
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (Ages 10-14)
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk (Ages 10-14)
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (Ages 10-16)
The False Prince by Jennifer Nielson (Ages 10-16)
The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett (Ages 11-16)
Pat McManus short stories (Favorite Books: The Grasshopper Trap, A Fine and Pleasant Misery, and Never Sniff a Gift Fish) We recommend reading through the books and finding stories your kids will enjoy. These are great to share around the campfire or as bedtime stories.
