Read-Aloud Resources

Reading out loud is a great way to encourage literacy and have fun with your kids at the same time. It will give them happy experiences with books, and let them see that you -- their great role models -- love to spend time reading with them.

So, how do you choose which books to share?

There's no perfect formula. If your child is the type of child who loves to sit on your lap, night after night, and hear long stories, then go with it. If you're both happy, then you'll have made a great memory, and the book will be special to both of you forever. If your child is squirming after five minutes, then look for short books with a lot of opportunities for interaction. If your child doesn't like make-believe, try some non-fiction... there are enough factual books published for small children -- on subjects ranging from astronauts to zoo animals -- to keep your little fact-seeker happy.

The important thing is to find the books that "click" and remember that it can take some time to get a child in the routine of reading.

In the booklists, click through to be open a window in Classic Catalog. From there, you can place a hold, search for other items with the same subject, or use the Novelist recommendations (book covers) to find other great read-alouds.

Books

• Read-aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with your Kids by Sarah Mackenzie
• ¿Papá Me Cuentas Un Cuento? by John Olive
• How to Get Your Child to Love Reading by Esmé Raji Codell
• Reading magic : Why Reading Aloud to our Children will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox
• The Read Aloud Handbook Access in Print | Access Online by Jim Trelease
• The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books we Shared by Alice Ozma
• Between the Lions for Parents: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Child Learn to Read by Linda K. Rath
• Listos Para Leer by Rosemary Wells
• Born Reading by Jason Boog
• More books kids will sit still for : a read-aloud guide by Judy Freeman

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