Favorite Family Read-Alouds
I recently polled my children (ages 13, 10, 8, and 6) about their favorite books we've ever read aloud, and they were calling out titles faster than I could write them down! For the past eight years, reading aloud has become an irreplaceable part of our family's culture. It has been the source of so many fascinating conversations, the root of countless inside jokes, and the vehicle by which we've traveled the world together from the comfort of our living room. It's also been the source of lots of happy tears (always, only from me, the mom).
When I first started reading aloud to my kids, it felt like pure chaos ("Is anyone listening?"), and we could barely get through five minutes. But after lots and lots of practice (and years to mature), our kids are content to draw quietly while I read and often beg for “one more chapter.” My husband, Shawn, reads with the very best accents and a soundtrack playing in the background, which makes the experience epic and fun.
If you're still on the fence about the merits of reading aloud or needing extra motivation, my favorite book on the science behind it is The Enchanted Hour by Meghan Cox Gurdon.
The Chronicles of Narnia (Series)
by C. S. Lewis
We read through this entire series a few winters ago—our family's first trip through the wardrobe—and we’ll never be the same.
Heartwood Hotel (Series)
by Kallie George
This series is an absolute delight, and there are more books on the way! These cozy woodland tales, filled with themes of kindness and courage, are perfect for early elementary readers (though our older kids are loving them just as much!).
Little Pilgrim's Progress
by Helen Taylor, illustrated by Joe Sutphin
A faithful and beautifully reimagined version of Bunyan’s classic for children. Sutphin’s illustrations make this allegory come alive!
Adventures with Waffles
by Maria Parr
Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, this book celebrates friendship, forgiveness, and the simple joys of small-town life in a small coastal town in Norway.
A Place to Hang the Moon
by Kate Albus
This one feels like a modern classic in all the best ways: tender, hopeful, and filled with British charm. It’s especially perfect as a fall or Christmas read, touching on themes of family, belonging, and home. Highly recommend!
Mr. Popper's Penguins
by Richard and Florence Atwater
Light, hilarious, and perfect for animal lovers. This classic always leaves us smiling!
A Long Walk to Water
by Linda Sue Park
A gripping dual narrative based on a true story about the “lost boys” of Sudan. My kids were completely captivated, though I’d recommend it for older or less sensitive readers due to some of the heavy subject matter.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
by Barbara Robinson
We read this every Christmas and have for the past seven years. It never gets old. Yes, the Herdmans are rowdy and inappropriate, but that’s the point! The ending is profoundly redemptive, revealing the true meaning of Christmas: that God came down as a baby for people just like the Herdmans.
A Rover's Story
by Jasmine Warga
This one is proof that not all the best books are classics. This tender and thoughtful story, told from the perspective of a Mars rover, explores purpose and friendship in a beautiful way.
The Trumpet of the Swan
by E. B. White
This holds a special place in our family as the very first book I ever read aloud, and the first audiobook (narrated by E. B. White himself in his charming New England accent) we ever listened to! This story is timeless and tender.
A Tree for Peter
by Kate Seredy
An “every Christmas” favorite in our home. It’s short enough to read in one or two sittings and radiates hope and light in the face of poverty and hardship.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (Series)
by Betty MacDonald
Utterly ridiculous and completely wonderful. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle has “cures” for all kinds of childish misbehavior, and my kids couldn’t get enough of the silliness.
Pippi Longstocking
by Astrid Lindgren
Lighthearted, heartwarming, and laugh-out-loud funny. A delightful choice to follow a heavier read.
The Odyssey & The Iliad
Adapted by Gillian Cross
An illustrated retelling that introduces young readers to these epics in a more palatable way. The illustrations are vivid and sometimes intense; perfect for older children who love adventure and myth.
The Year of Miss Agnes
by Kirkpatrick Hill
One of my personal favorites. This gentle, hopeful story about a teacher who transforms a small Alaskan village classroom celebrates compassion and the beauty of learning.
The Wild Robot (series)
by Peter Brown
A fascinating, tender mix of nature, technology, and the question of what it means to be alive. These books spark such good conversations.
Poppy
by Avi
Part of theTales from Dimwood Forest series, this adventurous and beautifully written story explores bravery, sacrifice, and friendship from the perspective of a brave mouse.
The Cricket in Times Square
by George Selden
A sweet, funny, and music-filled story about friendship and finding one’s place in the world.
Little House in the Big Woods (series)
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
We read this series alongsideThe Playful Pioneers curriculum by The Peaceful Press. It was the perfect, gentle introduction to early American life and the beauty of simplicity, family, and faith.
Charlotte's Web
by E. B. White
Every child (and parent) should experience this one. It's a timeless story about friendship and selflessness, following a pig named Wilbur and his wise spider friend Charlotte, who uses her web to save him from being slaughtered.
