Sometimes it is hard to determine which children’s books to read aloud. There have been numerous tests and mountains of research done that show reading aloud to your children is a great way to make readers of them. Sometimes, however, parents may struggle with finding a book that they will enjoy reading and that their child will enjoy hearing. Not every book works as a read aloud. Some have sentences that are too long, or too much dialogue between the characters. Some authors just aren’t very good at descriptions and the passages are boring and unimaginative when read out loud.

So, how can you tell if a book is a good read aloud? What should you look for? And how do you know if it will appeal to your child’s level of maturity?

Most of the time you will need to spend some time at your local library, check out children’s books and reading them to yourself. Look for situations, language, or ethics that are not acceptable to your family. It is best to stay away from those books for now. If you can give your children’s librarian an idea of what your family likes, and your interests she can suggest books that you may not know of.

Reading aloud can strengthen your family ties and bonds. When you set aside an hour or so a day to sit quietly with your children and visit exotic places together they learn to be still, to listen, and to concentrate. Children must create their own mental images to follow along in chapter books and the lack of pictures and longer, more complex storyline helps them learn to concentrate.

• Choose a certain time of the day and make it special. Some ideas are:
• Serve a small snack
• Let your children draw while listening
• Stop at an exciting part without finishing
• If you don’t care for the book put it away until your children are older and try again.
• Talk about the book at other times with your child; relate the action in the story to something that happens at home

Following are some classic suggestions that are great children’s books to read aloud. They are appropriate for all ages from about four to about ten. You may find your teenagers sneaking in to hear the story.

Any of the following books are appropriate for ages six through twelve.  Many will be available at your local library.

Mrs. PiggleWiggle -This is the first in a series of four books about an amazing woman named Mrs. PiggleWiggle. She loves and understands children very well and has answers for almost all parenting problems. Mrs. PiggleWiggle lives in an upside down house where she hunts the treasure her pirate husband left her years ago. Her cures include the Won’t-Take_a-Bath Cure, The Answer-Backer Cure, and many more. Once you close the cover of this book your children will be begging for the next three.

My Side of the Mountain- Jean Craighead George has a way of telling a story that brings you into the book and My Side of the Mountain is no exception. When Sam runs away from home to live on the family property in the Catskills he learns to fend for himself while living in a hollow tree. This book is sure to be beloved by all ages and genders. Although the main character runs away from home it is not due to problems with authority. The love of family and respect for parents is apparent throughout the book.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis’s classic that was first in the Chronicles of Narnia series. This books is magical, amazing, thought provoking, and wonderful. You may have seen the movie but if you have not shared the book with your children you are missing out on an excellent read.

The Family Under the Bridge - This is a heartwarming story about a homeless family in France. I like to read it around Christmas time, but it is also a fabulous summer read. Sweet, uplifting, and encouraging it will appeal to all ages.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang- This book is one of the best read alouds there is. It is exciting, funny, creative, and the descriptions are perfect. A chapter a day is not difficult to do and more than likely your children will be clamoring for more.

Magic by the Lake - Edgar Eager creates magic for children now as much as he did thirty or forty years ago. There are a number of books in this series, and all of them are fun. In Magic by the Lake a family vacations by a lake and the children find that their wishes do odd things.

The Saturdays- Four siblings decide to pool their allowances and let each of them have an adventure one Saturday per month. Each week three of the children wave goodbye to the lucky one who will be taking all of the allowance and doing something special.

Homer Price - Not just for boys. Homer is the average, middle America boy, at least in the 1940s, and his adventures in a small town will bring laughter and smiles.

Charlotte’s Web - A classic that every child should hear. How can a girl, a runt pig, a rat, and a spider save the life of the pig? A heartwarming tale of love, loyalty, and deep friendship as well as sacrifice.

The Last of the Really Great Wangdoodles - This book, by Julie Andrews, is a wonderful tale of fantasy and trust. It has action, magic, mystery and high adventure. Perfect for reading aloud, each chapter will be eagerly awaited and enjoyed.

You will probably notice that most of these books have been in print for a very long time. There is a reason for that. None of the books on the list make children out to be smarter than their parents.  None of the books has questionable morals, or foggy ideas of right and wrong. These books are not making a political statement or encouraging a lifestyle, they are just good, clean fun. Children’s books to read aloud should be entertaining and uplifting.

Reading aloud to your children will change your life and theirs. Grab one of these books and get started.