As a former elementary school teacher, I remember my favorite part of every day was the time I spent reading aloud to my students. I loved gathering on the carpet and watching them lean in as if we were sharing a secret. I loved reading chapter books during stolen moments like the few minutes before lunch or those precious final moments of the school day. There was nothing quite like the moment when I’d stop and place a bookmark and all the students would protest and beg for one more page. Whether you’re a teacher, a parent or caregiver, or another person fortunate enough to have kiddos they can read to, the books below are sure to delight.
The Best Read-Aloud Picture Books
For books you can read in one sitting, there’s no shortage of great picture books. Below are some of my personal favorites. If you want even more picture book ideas, check out these great read-aloud books for kindergarteners.
The Best Read-Aloud Chapter Books
Children of all ages can also enjoy the ongoing pleasure of longer read-alouds. Returning daily to a great chapter book can be a suspenseful treat; waiting to find out what happens next is exciting and fun. However, since it’s been about a century since I had children in my care long enough to read chapter books with, this list admittedly includes mostly older titles. For newer reads, check out this list of excellent chapter books.
