You are probably a fan of reading if you are checking out this site. I'm trying to make more and more people a fan of reading. I found this fabulous quote, and being the bad librarian that I am right now, and I do not know where it came from. I had it in some of my notes from my years of not being a librarian when I didn't care as much about sources. Anywho, here it is:
“Like eating, reading is one of life's activities that
simultaneously yields both pleasure and benefit."
Reading is great! Reading to a child is great! Reading to a child provides two main rewards. First, there is an immediate
reward. The text pulls us into images and ideas that at the very moment we
travel through the words. It's enjoyable and pleasure. Second, there are long-term rewards.
The long-term benefits include increased language, vocabulary, comprehension, and
thinking skills. Plus the child
gains additional knowledge, experience, and insight which can make them an
educated person.
Most recently, an article last week
put out by BBC stated that a research study recently learned that reading to
your kids while they are young, even before they go into school, on a regular
basis still showed the kids benefiting from it when they were 15 years old.
The teens that we're read to were at least 6 months ahead in reading levels.
So you see, reading aloud to kids, and even newborns, has huge benefits!
Oh, and just b/c your child can read to him/herself does not mean you can't read to them. Reading a book with a reader not only models good reading to them, but it can expand their interests of books, and include all of the other great benefits of reading. So, it is clear to see that you should read to your kids, no matter the age.
With that in mind I wanted to give you a resource list of books that you could use to help you determine which books to read to your kids. The B/G after a book title is to tell you if it is geared more towards boys, girls, or both (B-boys, G-girls, and B/G- both).
Feel free to use this list as a resource and starting point.
Happy Reading!
I apologize for my little soapbox rant about reading and the importance of it. I'm just so passionate about the topic. I appreciate you bearing with me.
The Best Read-Alouds
Infants-Preschool: These books are for the curious little ones. They teach basic concepts such as the alphabet, counting, colors, etc. Books with patterns work well for this age group.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin (B/G)
Gallop by Rufas Butler Seder (B/G) This is a scanimation book; it
is a short book but fun for the little hands that like to turn pages.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura
Numeroff (B/G)
Skippy Jon Jones by Judy Schachner (B/G)
Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett (B/G)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric
Carle (B/G)
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
(B/G)
Don’t let the Pigeon Stay Up Late by
Mo Willems all of
the Pigeon books are great (B/G)
Kindergarten to 2nd grade: These
books are for the ones that are beginning to get their sense of humor and
beginning to read. You will find
both chapter and picture books here. If you are reading chapter books together
be sure to talk about what happened before and you can even begin to predict
what will happen.
Picture
Books:
Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel (B/G)
Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mike Teague (B/G)
The
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister (B/G)
The
True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka (B/G)
How
Much is a Million? by David Schwartz (B/G)
Knuffle
Bunny by Mo Willems (G)
The
Great Fuzz Frenzy by Janet Stevens (B/G)
Leaf
Man by Lois Ehlert (B/G)
Leonardo
the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems (B/G)
Traction
Man is Here by Mini Grey (B)
Chameleon,
Chameleon by Joy Cowley This non-fiction book is perfect for boys (B/G)
Chapter
Books:
Stuart Little by E.B. White (B/G)
The
Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (B/G)
The
Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (B/G)
Judy
Moody by Megan McDonald (G)
Stink:
The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald (B)
Ramona
Quimby by Beverly Cleary (G)
Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate
DiCamillo (B/G But
others in the series is more geared to girls) This is an easier chapter book
3rd grade to 6th grade: These
kids may read on their own, but they can still benefit by being read to. Try books and genres that they
normally wouldn’t gravitate towards.
Feel free to read a book together that is above their reading
level.
Picture Books:
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by
Verna Aardema (B/G)
The
Legend of the Indian Paintbrush by Tomie dePaola (B/G)
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story
from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine (B/G)
Chapter
Books:
Frindle by Andrew Clements (B/G) Most Clements books make great Read-Alouds
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by
Louis Sachar (B/G)
Holes
by Louis Sachar (B/G)
The
View from the Cherry Tree by Willow Davis Roberts (B/G)
Stargirl
by Jerry Spinelli (G)
A
Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (B/G)
Walk
Two Moons by Sharon Creech (G) Creech books are all
fabulous
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
(B/G) This was the
Newbery Winner this year, and it is absolutely fabulous. Anyone 3rd grade and up will
love it.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham; 1963 by
Christopher Paul Curtis (B/G)
The
Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (B/G)
The
Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (B/G)
Non-Fiction
Books:
Blood and Guts by Linda Allison (B/G)
Children of the Dust Bowl: The True
Story of the School at Weedpatch by Jerry Stanley (G)
Strange Mysteries by Seymour Simon (B) Simon always has fabulous
pictures/photographs
Lincoln; A Photobiography by Russell
Freedman (B/G) One
of the best biographies I’ve ever read
Anyone and Everyone: These are some of the books
that are great for any age, gender, and interests.
Picture Books:
Patricia Polacco (B/G) books are all great. They are longer picture books, but
anyone that can handle a longer book (attention span) will love the pictures
and the stories.
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant (B/G)
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice
Sendak (B/G)
Any Shel Silverstein poems (B/G)
Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth (B/G)
Chapter Books:
Any Roald Dahl book (B/G)
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (B/G)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
by C.S. Lewis (B/G)
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (B/G)
Thanks for doing this blog and for this list! I needed some recommendations, especially from someone I trust. You're awesome!
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