Opening a book is like going on a journey through your imagination – and reading to your kids is a timeless way of fostering a lifelong love for books and reading.
Even once your children have started reading on their own, reading a chapter book to them over the course of several evenings is a great way to spend quality time together and create an emotional connection through your shared vision of the story.
If that’s not all the encouragement to start reading to your children, consider this: When you read longer books to children, they are exposed to more complex language structures and a broader vocabulary than they encounter daily. This encourages them to improve their listening skills, motivates them to ask questions, and builds a greater fluency of expression.
What Books Should You Pick to Read with Your Kids?
The story you choose is important, especially if you hope to inspire your children’s imagination or enhance their critical thinking skills. Books can introduce children to new cultures and concepts – or illustrate ideals you want to pass along to your little ones, like the value of friendship.
You can also pick stories with themes and situations to which your children can relate – like the fear of the unknown or a sense of confusion about the way the larger world operates with all its complexities and seemingly crazy rules.
Finally, regular reading sessions can help establish a routine and turn reading into a daily habit!
Without further ado, here are our choices:
1. “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien – Fantasy, Ages 8 and up
Speaking of “going on an adventure,” no mention of chapter books that are great for children would be complete without “The Hobbit.” Tolkien wrote it to humor his own kids! It’s the timeless tale of Bilbo Baggins, a quiet little homebody from a quiet little land who finds himself giving in to his curiosity. He ends up on an unexpected journey with a group of dwarves to reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug. The story offers profound lessons about courage, friendship and the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
2. “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis – Fantasy, Ages 7 and up
Next on the list, naturally, comes the seminal novel of the “The Chronicles of Narnia” series. “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” takes readers to the magical land of Narnia. Four children who find a magical wardrobe in a strange house find out that they are prophesied to play pivotal roles in the age-old battle between good and evil. A contemporary of Tolkien, Lewis chose to focus on themes of self-sacrifice and redemption through a positively enchanting allegory.
3. “Bunnicula” by Deborah and James Howe – Mystery/Comedy, Ages 6 and up
If your kids are born comedians, they’ll love “Bunnicula.” It’s a hilarious – and mildly suspenseful – story about a vampire rabbit who gets adopted into a home with an intrepid dog named Harold and a suspicious cat named Chester. When vegetables turn up drained of their juices, the dog and the cat get worried – and cue the shenanigans that ensue. This is a great book that talks about accepting others, even when they’re different.
4. “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll – Fantasy, Ages 8 and up
“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” has sparked countless movies, television shows, animated specials, and spin-off tales – and it’s become a cultural touchstone. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole into a whimsical, fantastical, and sometimes frightening world full of unexplained occurrences and strange characters. From your child’s perspective, this is much like their forays out of the safety of your home and into the adult world, where chaos can reign, and absurdity seems commonplace.
5. “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle – Science Fiction/Fantasy, Ages 10 and up
“A Wrinkle in Time” blends a little science fiction and a dash of fantasy as Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace and their friend Calvin go on a cosmic adventure to rescue a loved one from evil. This book resonates deeply with people because it speaks of an underlying order in the universe, the power of goodness and love over hate and evil, and the importance of embracing one’s individuality.
6. “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith – Children’s Parody/Fairy Tales, Ages 6 and up
Are ordinary nursery tales too saccharine for your kids’ taste? Shake things up with “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales,” which is a collection of twisted parodies of classic fairy tales. You’ll find numerous comic stories inside, like “The Princess and the Bowling Ball” and “Cinderrumplestiltskin” that will give you and your kids a real chuckle.
7. “A Stranger Came Ashore” by Mollie Hunter – Adventure/Folklore, Ages 9 and up
“A Stranger Came Ashore” is a gripping tale that brings folklore to life. Set in a small Scottish village, where a mysterious stranger washes ashore after a shipwreck, the story blends atmospheric writing with a suspenseful plot where life and death are on the line. The story talks about what it means to look carefully at things with your own eyes – without letting what you are told by others deceive you.
8. “Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH” by Robert C. O’Brien – Science Fiction/Fantasy, Ages 7 and up
This book is so beautifully written that in 1982 it was even turned into a now-classic animated film (which you can watch with your kids after you read the book). Follow the desperate adventures of Mrs. Frisby as she seeks the help of some highly intelligent rats to save her family. This is a story about true loyalty, what courage really means, and how everybody needs to rely on somebody for help now and again.
9. “My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish” by Mo O’Hara – Adventure/Humor, Ages 7 and up
“My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish” is an imaginative story about a budding scientist named Tom who brings his poor, dead goldfish back to life with some hilariously unexpected consequences. If your kids are amused by zombies and all things a little bit “icky,” they’ll love this story – and you will probably get a kick out of the book, too. This is another tale that encourages creative thinking.
When you read to your kids, that’s a gift that keeps on giving. You’re giving them your time and offering them stories that will sink into their brains and head to their hearts with lessons that will imprint on a cellular level. So, pick up a book, snuggle up with your child and start the journey of a lifetime!
