Monday, April 09, 2012

5 Great Read-Out-Loud Books

warning: this picture is deceiving and is not an 
accurate representation of the books listed below.

I am always, ALWAYS on the look out for great children's books. 

For several years now our local library has had a summer, adult-reading-kids-stuff program. I look forward to it every summer. It boils down to this, I get prizes for reading children's literature. I love reading kids books anyway, so to get prizes for doing it is an added bonus. 

While I read, I often stumble upon great stories to share with my kids. Sometimes, though, I get lost in the huge amount of choices and have a hard time deciphering which books are worth my time.

Which leads me to the point of this post (and hopefully posts to come)...

I gotta imagine I am not alone in the never-ending hunt to find great books to share with my kids. SO...

I thought I'd share 5 great read-aloud books that I have discovered, just in case you are looking for suggestions. If you are wanting an age range, I am guestimating ages 6+. My four-year olds typically listen along too, but they are easily distracted.

Here we go:

1.  Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. I know, I know, this is an obvious choice, but it is such a great story. It was the first chapter-book I ever received as a gift and I have never stopped loving it. It was also my first read-aloud choice to my own kids. They were young then; we may have to reread it together soon.

2. The Moffats by Eleanor Estes. I only recently discovered this little treasure. It had me hooked from the first line, "The way Momma could peel apples! A few turns of the knife and there the apple was, all skinned!" The book shares the adventures of the Moffat family, specifically through the eyes of Jane and Rufus. The stories are sweet, funny and full of adventure. I haven't actually read this out loud yet, but Mya and I have both read it and loved it!

3. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater. We read this book over the winter and my kids loved it. It had them laughing out loud throughout the story. It was recently made into a movie with Jim Carrey, which I have not seen and therefore cannot recommend. BUT, I can recommend the book which was, to borrow a somewhat cliche review word, delightful!

4. Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. Caddie Woodlawn takes place in Wisconsin back in the pioneering days. It is along the lines of Little House in the Big Woods, but with a better story. The book is actually based on the life of the author's grandmother which gives it extra charm. Even though this is somewhat a "coming of age" story, boys and girls alike will love the adventures Caddie and her brothers find themselves in. 

5. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien. I LOVED this book as a kid. I know I read it several times. I loved this book as an adult too. This is another one I have not actually read out loud to my kids yet, but plan to soon. The story is one that awakens the imagination. It is full of adventure, suspense and will not disappoint. 

There you have it, the first of many book lists I hope to share with you over the summer. 
I would love to hear your suggestions for great read-out-loud books in the comments. 
As mentioned previously, I am always on the hunt for good ones!

7 comments:

Janie S. said...

Great choices! I had forgotten about the Maffat's. And I liked Caddie Woodlawn, but thought just the opposite of you: Hmmm..It's good, but not as good as Little House! :-) We love Pippi Longstocking around here lately, and just started Ralph S Mouse. I'll read the kids books with you again this summer, and WHEN"S LUNCH?!?!

Emily said...

ooooooooohh one of my favorite topics... great books to read aloud to kids..

let's see...

The Dangerous Journey (Pilgrim's Progress) contains much of the original language of The Pilgrim's Progress and the pictures are amazing-- 5+

James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Facotry, The BFG-- Roald Dahl-- I group these together to cheat-- love Roald Dahl books. 6+

The Trumpet of the Swan- E.B White-- Reading this to Ben and Amy right now-- they love it-- 5+

i'll have to g think some more-- this is all i have at 6:30 AM with 1/2 cup of coffee!!!!!
:)

megs @ whadusay said...

Great Suggestions guys! And Jane, if you are comparing Caddie to the series of Little House then I would agree with you, but in comparison to Little House in the Big Woods, my opinion is that Caddie has a more engaging story. :)

L, Ann and boys said...

#2 &5 have me interested (love the others you listed too). =) I think you might like 21 Balloons (can't recall the author off hand...it's on our blog reading list though). It reminded me a little of Mr Popper's penguins (sort of, it's a very different story line but just as mind opening).

Thanks for the list

Andria =)

Emily said...

also- ANYTHING by Bill Peet-- they are picture books-- and ALL my kids love his stories!!!!!

Emily said...

oh my word how did i forget!!! kate dicammillo-- winn dixie was good, the tale of desperaux-- LOVE and also the miraculous journey of edward tulane!!!!!

smw said...

i love this topic. :)

have you read any of the other eleanor estes books? the saturdays, moffat musuem, ginger pye? all awesome. :)

the helen keller scholastic biography.

dolphin adventure and dophin treasure by grover are amazing-non fiction.

we could talk about this for quite awhile in a week or two. :)