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Books for
Kids to Read Aloud
By Holly E. Newton
I’m always on
the lookout for books that kids will love to read aloud. These
are special kinds of books that pull the reader, young or old, instantly
into the realm and joy of the story.
The books I have
listed below beg to be read aloud. There is either an element of
unique fantasy, dialogue or storyline that is great fun to read
out loud. The first four are fiction books that all ages will enjoy.
The next six are picture books geared for younger children.
The first book
is a wonderful fantasy about a subject kids know well — candy.
The Candy Shop War, by Brandon Mull, immediately draws
the listener into the story because of the well drawn characters
and the plot of the story.
Nate is about
to start fifth grade at a new school in a new town, and he’s nervous
about making friends and beginning life in a different place. But
everything is about to get very exciting in his life. He meets
three great friends, and they begin a journey into magic when they
walk into a candy store and meet Mrs. White, the proprietor. She
gives them opportunities to work for her and in return gives them
some enchanted candy that works magic when eaten.
For instance,
she gives them some crystallized “moon rocks” after they collect
special beetle eggs. She says that she needs them for a special
project. After they complete their assignment, they try out the
moon rocks and are completely amazed at what happens to their bodies
after ingesting.
It doesn’t take
long for the four friends to discover that there are other candy
magicians in town, and they all seem to be in search of the same
thing — an ancient talisman. You can almost taste and smell the
author’s delicious descriptions of the candy throughout the exciting
story, so you may just have to have a few sweet confections handy
while reading this wonderful piece of fiction. There’s even a study
guide located at the back of the book for parents and teachers.
Click
to Buy
 Jack
Plank Tells Tales, by Natalie Babbitt, is an enjoyable smallish book that tells about the
Pirate Jack Plank who has fallen on hard times. He’s been let go
of his ship of thieves and has ended up in a boarding house with
the owner and guests listening to his stories with great intensity.
Of course, Jack
can tell a story unlike anyone, and the stories are so entertaining
that all await the next night’s tale to be told. You may just guess
what Jack is really so good at doing, and it’s not pirating! The
pictures, sprinkled throughout, help capture Jack’s imagination!
Click
to Buy
 Maude
March on the Run!, by Audrey Couloumbis, is great fun to read. Here is a story about a heroine
told through the eyes of the younger sister, Sallie, who knows that
her sister didn’t mean to do the things the newspapers say she did.
But in the meantime, both orphan sisters are on the run. This book
reads like an old fashioned Western as the girls ride away on horseback
away from their jailbreak. It’s so nice to have two strong female
characters in this adventurous read!
Magpie Gabbard
and the Quest for the Buried Moon, by Sally M. Keehn, is a most unusual
story about 13-year-old Magpie attempting to track down her older
brother and bring him home. Even though this is never accomplished,
the incredible adventures she experiences and being able to overcome
all kinds of obstacles is what makes this a great read-aloud. She
encounters goblins, magic water and locates and saves the moon.
A delightful and creative story!
Knuffle
Bunny Too, by
Mo Willems, carries on the same picture format as Willems’ other
picture books. This fun and humorous story exhibits the excitement
a child feels as preschooler Trixie takes her precious one-of-a-kind
bunny to show at school. Problems ensue when another girl brings
a very similar bunny to also show at school. It’s a great story
that is solved when the parents of both girls display the lack of
sleep in order to help their daughters when a crisis arises! Willems
is a genius!
Don’t Touch
My Hat!, by
James Rumford, has the text of the western twang about Sheriff John
and his “ten gallon hat.” He’s proud to protect this Wild West
town with the help of his very tall hat. But, he’s soon to find
out that it’s not the hat that helps the law in this town. Unbeknownst
to John, he grabs his wife’s feathery hat and sets out to grab some
robbers. The story reads with a melodramatic flair.
Click
to Buy
Phooey!,
by
Marc Rosenthal, is perfect for a smaller setting because it’s the
pictures that tell the tale. A boy kicks a can as he proclaims
“Nothing … ever … happens … around here!” But the action
of the can sets in motion an entire book full of events that are
pretty amazing. But probably more amazing is the child is completely
unaware of all that’s going on around him!
City Hawk:
The Story of Pale Male, by Meghan McCarthy, is a great story
about a real life hawk living on the ledge of a high-rise apartment
building. The way the city and citizens of New
York City rally around to protect this beautiful bird, and its young,
teaches the love of nature — no matter where it happens to be!
And now let’s
end with humor. Knock, Knock!, compiled by Saxton
Freymann, and illustrated by Judith Byron Schachner, is a must for
all kids who love a good joke! Fourteen of the best children’s
authors have contributed some of the classics as well as some less
known “knock, knock” jokes! This book is a must for laughs galore!
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