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The best way to inspire your child to learn to read is to help them fall in love with stories. If they have a passion for other worlds, daring adventures, and interesting characters your child will do whatever it takes to keep the experience going. I know because I’ve been reading the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling to my 6 year old…he is now reading the 5th book by himself because I wasn’t able to sit down and read often enough.
Do you want to inspire this kind of love? If so then continue reading because I share three easy ways to motivate your child to learn to read and a list of the top classic kids’ read aloud books. This selection is designed to captivate your child and encourage their love for stories beyond picture books. We began reading and listening to these stories even while my boys still loved sitting down for a picture book.
Table of Contents
Inspire a Love for Stories: The Three “B’s”
There is a specific way to inspire a love for stories in a child and at the same time encourage them to read. I call it the three “B’s.” Begin early and often, be okay with failure, and be the example.
Begin Early and Often
Picture Books and Stories
My great grandma, Baba, babysat my sister and I when we were little. She read countless picture books to us from the whimsical and beautiful selection our mom had curated for us. Baba would tell us stories she made up as well too, my favorite was about the ghost, Casper.
If we weren’t with Baba, then my grandma watched us. She ran a small daycare out of her house and didn’t have as much time to sit down and read because there were usually 5-6 other kids, including babies. But when she did have a moment she would sit down and read her extensive collection of Dr. Seuss books.
My sister and I developed a love for stories early because of these women in our lives. Because of this I knew that when my husband and I had kids we would have a wonderful selection of picture books and read them everyday to our children as my grandma’s did for me. Whether your child sits and points at parts of the illustrations or lets you read the story in its entirety with no interruption you’re beginning early and often.
How Early Can You Start with the List of Kids’ Read Aloud Books?
I began with books from this list of read aloud books as soon as my eldest turned 5. We haven’t stopped listening to these kids’ read aloud books and I noticed my 4.5 year old picking up on the stories as well. Be sure to check in with them frequently if they are younger to make sure they’re following the plot. Ask questions and help clear up any confusion. They will also love conversing with you about the story.
How Often do I Need to Read Aloud to my Child?
This is a tough question to answer because everyone’s day looks different. Some of us homeschool while others work full time jobs. What I can do is provide ideas for you to make reading aloud to your child a part of your day.
Practical Tips to Include Kids’ Read Aloud Books in Your Home
Begin a Morning Basket Tradition
I use a morning basket in our homeschool to make sure that all my boys’ reading needs are being met. From reading Aesop’s allegories for my oldest kiddos to Click, Clack, 1,2,3 by Doreen Cronin for my youngest. I make sure that they each get a story that caters to their listening and attention level. This works for us because we have slow starts to our mornings since we homeschool.
Begin a Nighttime Tradition
These next two ideas to incorporate reading aloud into your daily routine are excellent for homeschooling and non-homeschooling families. My husband and I began this tradition about a year ago as we noticed our eldest craving more and more stories. We take turns with which book we’re reading. For instance, I finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with Marty a few days ago. It’s now Daddy’s turn to read a book. And I should mention that Harry Potter is specifically saved for me to read aloud because it’s one my favorites, obviously. This is why Marty is reading ahead of me! Because he is being forced to wait.
Daddy is now reading aloud the book of Matthew from the Bible at bedtime and when he finishes it will be my turn again. We read at least a chapter a night before the kids go to sleep. Occasionally our youngest two fall asleep before the parent finishes reading. This actually solves two problems. Controlling our children’s behavior at bedtime and catering to our eldest’s desire for more stories.
Listen to Audiobooks in the Car
“Momma, can we please have a story?” This has been the first thing I hear as I load us up into the van to go anywhere for the past 2 years. Now my almost 5 year old has even started asking. We listen to audiobooks about 90% of the time that we’re driving. That is how we have made it through the majority of this list of kids’ read aloud books so easily.
Do you have a commute to your child’s school everyday? Then, this is a perfect option for you and yours! Another great benefit to audiobooks is that it makes it so much easier to cater to my older kid’s needs for deeper stories and still have time to read aloud picture books with my younger two. Currently, my middle son is kind of in a limbo between loving both! It’s great!
Also, for our younger kiddos my husband and I love playing the Disney Storyteller collection on YouTube Music during car rides as well. Be sure to check those out, especially if you have a 3 year old who doesn’t like sitting for books. Our favorites are Winnie the Pooh and Hercules but there are many others!
The Caveat…Set Parameters
Why did I specifically say in the car? There is a reason for this. When Marty was very little I remember speaking with another homeschooling mom at our co-op whose daughter was 9 and couldn’t read. She didn’t have any developmental delays. And from all pretenses she simply had no desire to learn to read because she did not need to.
From what I gathered, the little girl always had access to the stories that she loved. Her mom would turn them on in the house, her bedroom, in the car, and would never tell her daughter “no,” that she couldn’t read right at that moment. Is that little girl reading now? Probably! But I gleaned a little bit of wisdom from that story. Establish some boundaries.
Saying “No”
Homemaking, homeschooling, tending to other siblings, you name it we’re busy parents! Don’t be afraid to say no to reading aloud. When they’re little try to take the time whenever they ask. But once my kiddos are 4.5 year’s old they’re learning to read, and not always agreeing to sit down and read aloud to them can be a good thing.
My kiddos know that they will get stories in the morning, if we’re driving somewhere, and at bedtime. There is also a very good chance that there will be a midday read aloud session. However, if they want stories at other times…they may need to learn to read themselves.
Be Okay with Failure if You Choose Wrong from the Kids’ Read Aloud Books List
In the list of kids’ read aloud books there were a couple books that we did not finish. I’m still including them in the list though because they’re amazing, kids’ read aloud books and simply did not resonate with my eldest. Your child may find them fascinating though!
Specifically Rudyard Kipling works failed in our read aloud car sessions. They were one of the first we tried listening to and I think for a young 5 year old the animal voices kept him from becoming absorbed in the story. We gave The Jungle Book every chance and I recommend always dedicating 1 hour to an audiobook before moving on. We listened to the Just So Stories in their entirety but the last couple hours my son was complaining. I figured we had put in enough time that we might as well finish so we did finish reading aloud over the next few car rides but there was some groaning coming from the back.
Ultimately, give each story a chance. But do not force it on to your child. My son wasn’t a big fan at the beginning of Stuart Little, again an animal’s voice. He came around to it though after a couple car rides and a little discussion with me as to what was going on in the story. By the end he was rooting for Stuart in the boat race and over all loved the book.
Be the Example
My parents were excellent examples for my sister and I growing up. The television was rarely on, maybe for the evening news, but other than that my parents read. They read books, magazines, newspapers, and more books!
However, our love for reading extends further than them finding enjoyment from it. It was also because my mom was an avid book buyer. If we went out with my mom she would buy my sister and I a book. Anything else while on our back-to-school shopping day had to come from our own allowance. Books were the exception because they are special. It was a treat and gave importance to stories in our lives.
If you’re a homeschooling momma, keep the television off. Even during the day at my grandmas’ houses, the televisions were never on…well Baba had her daily soap opera but that was during nap time. Frequently, when my boys have tired themselves out I find them all sitting quietly in the living room with a book in their lap. One will be in the chair, another on the couch and the other sitting on the rug in front of the children’s bookcase. Even though my youngest two can’t read, they simply enjoy studying the pictures. They’ve seen that this is what we do when we’re bored or relaxing. To learn more about boredom and your child check out this post here.
Read Next: Finding Boredom
36+ Kids’ Read Aloud Books
Without further ado, here is the list of kids’ read aloud books. These include classics and none of it is twaddle. Do not underestimate your child’s capability to understand some of these books. Countless times my son would surprise me with retellings of The Hobbit or talk about characters in Little Men with profound insight. Lastly, some we listened to as audiobooks and others Daddy or I read aloud the hard copy. Figure out what works for you!
• Stuart Little by E.B. White
A charming mouse named Stuart Little, born to a human family in New York City, embarks on adventures to find his place in the world, including a quest to rescue his friend Margalo, a bird. His small size leads to big experiences, from sailing a model boat to outwitting a cat.
• Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson
The animals of Rabbit Hill, led by Little Georgie Rabbit, anticipate changes when a new family moves into the Big House, hoping for kindness and a shared garden. Their cautious optimism turns to community-building as the humans prove to be generous neighbors.
• Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
I recommend trying this series as one of the first to read aloud, as well as the Railway Children and The Chronicles of Narnia. This series follows Laura Ingalls and her pioneer family as they face the challenges of frontier life, from building homes to surviving harsh winters, across the American Midwest in the late 19th century. Each book blends heartwarming family moments with historical insights into settler life.
• The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, navigates life among animals like Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, learning the Law of the Jungle while facing threats from the tiger Shere Khan. The stories weave adventure, morality, and the beauty of the wild.
• Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling
A collection of whimsical tales explaining the origins of animal traits, like how the leopard got his spots or the camel his hump, told in a playful, lyrical style. Each story blends imagination with clever explanations for natural phenomena.
• Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Alice tumbles down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world of eccentric characters, like the Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat, navigating absurd logic and surreal adventures. Her journey through Wonderland explores curiosity, identity, and the bizarre.
• Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
Alice steps through a mirror into a chessboard-inspired world, meeting quirky characters like Tweedledum and Tweedledee while advancing as a pawn toward becoming a queen. The story delves into dreamlike logic and playful wordplay.
• The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit
Three siblings, Roberta, Peter, and Phyllis, adjust to a simpler life near a railway after their father’s mysterious absence, finding adventure and purpose in helping others. Their kindness and curiosity lead to heartwarming resolutions, including their father’s return. Another hit, very early on, with my eldest in his read aloud journey.
• Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
In the Hundred Acre Wood, the lovable bear Winnie-the-Pooh and friends like Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore embark on gentle, humorous adventures filled with friendship and simple wisdom. Pooh’s love for honey and thoughtful musings drive the heartwarming tales.
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Orphaned Mary Lennox discovers a hidden, neglected garden on her uncle’s estate, which she restores with her cousin Colin and friend Dickon, transforming their lives through nature and friendship. The garden’s revival mirrors their emotional healing and growth.
• Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Wilbur, a young pig, forms an unlikely friendship with Charlotte, a wise spider, who saves him from slaughter by weaving praise-filled words into her web. Their bond showcases loyalty, sacrifice, and the cycle of life on a farm.
• Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Heidi, a Swiss orphan, brings joy to her reclusive grandfather in the Alps, but her life changes when she’s sent to Frankfurt, where she befriends Clara, a disabled girl. Her love for the mountains and resilience ultimately reunite her with her home and loved ones.
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
This seven-book series follows children who discover the magical world of Narnia, filled with talking animals, mythical creatures, and the lion Aslan, as they battle evil and fulfill destinies. Themes of courage, faith, and redemption weave through their adventures.
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins, a reluctant hobbit, joins a band of dwarves and the wizard Gandalf on a quest to reclaim treasure from the dragon Smaug, discovering courage and resourcefulness. His journey through Middle-earth introduces rings, riddles, and epic battles.
• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Tom Sawyer, a mischievous boy in 1840s Missouri, embarks on adventures like treasure hunting and playing pirates with friends Huck Finn and Joe Harper, while navigating small-town life. His antics blend humor with glimpses of childhood freedom and moral growth.
• Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
The magical nanny Mary Poppins arrives to care for the Banks children, leading them on whimsical adventures like tea parties on the ceiling and carousel rides. Her strict yet enchanting presence transforms the family’s life with wonder and discipline.
• Classic Starts: The Iliad, Greek Myths and The Odyssey
These simplified retellings introduce young readers to epic Greek tales—Homer’s Iliad recounts the Trojan War, the Odyssey follows Odysseus’ journey home, and Greek Myths explore gods and heroes. Each story captures timeless adventure and moral lessons.
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Charlie Bucket, a poor but kind boy, wins a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka’s fantastical chocolate factory, where greedy children face bizarre fates. Charlie’s humility leads to a life-changing reward in this whimsical, cautionary tale.
• The Roald Dahl Collection
This anthology gathers Dahl’s iconic children’s stories, like Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, filled with quirky characters, dark humor, and imaginative plots. Each tale celebrates underdogs triumphing through wit and kindness.
• Matilda by Roald Dahl
Matilda, a brilliant girl with neglectful parents and a cruel headmistress, discovers her telekinetic powers and uses them to outsmart her adversaries. With the help of her kind teacher, Miss Honey, she finds her place and fights for justice.
• The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Louis, a mute trumpeter swan, learns to communicate using a trumpet, embarking on a journey to find love and independence while overcoming his disability. His adventures across America highlight determination, friendship, and the power of self-expression.
• Cajun Folktales by J.J. Reneaux
This collection of lively Cajun stories from Louisiana blends humor, tricksters, and cultural traditions, featuring characters like Lapin the rabbit outwitting Bouki the hyena. Each tale captures the vibrant spirit of Cajun folklore and oral storytelling.
• Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Caddie, a spirited tomboy in 1860s Wisconsin, navigates frontier life with her family, balancing adventures with Native American friends and growing responsibilities. Her courage and independence shine as she matures in a changing world.
• Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
Orphan Pollyanna Whittier spreads optimism with her “glad game,” finding joy in every situation despite hardships, transforming the lives of her stern aunt and a small New England town. Her resilience faces a test when she suffers a personal tragedy.
• Little Men by Louisa May Alcott
Jo March and her husband run Plumfield, a school for boys, where they nurture a diverse group of children, including mischievous Nat and spirited Dan, with love and unconventional teaching. The story explores growth, community, and second chances.
• Jo’s Boys by Louisa May Alcott
The final book in the Little Women series follows Jo’s former students, now young adults, as they pursue dreams in art, music, and love, facing life’s challenges. Jo’s guidance and the boys’ bonds highlight perseverance and personal growth.
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—navigate love, loss, and ambition in Civil War-era New England, each finding her path to womanhood. Their distinct personalities and family bonds create a timeless tale of resilience and sisterhood.
• Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Anne Shirley, an imaginative and talkative orphan, is adopted by elderly siblings on Prince Edward Island, where her spirited adventures and heartfelt mistakes win over the community. Her journey explores identity, friendship, and belonging.
• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger share adventures along the riverbank, from boating to battling weasels, with Toad’s reckless antics driving much of the drama. The story celebrates friendship, nature, and the charm of simple pleasures.
• The Story of Dr. Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
Dr. Dolittle, a kind veterinarian who talks to animals, embarks on a voyage to Africa with his animal friends to cure sick monkeys, facing adventures and challenges. His compassion and unique gift highlight the value of understanding nature.
• Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Narrated by Black Beauty, a horse, this story traces his life through various owners, from kind to cruel, exposing the harsh realities of animal treatment in Victorian England. His journey advocates for compassion and humane care.
• The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
A shipwrecked family survives on a tropical island, using ingenuity to build a life filled with adventure, from battling wild animals to crafting a treehouse. Their resourcefulness and unity showcase survival and family strength.
• Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Orphan Oliver Twist endures hardship in a workhouse and London’s criminal underworld, encountering villains like Fagin and kind strangers who help him find a family. The novel exposes social injustices while celebrating resilience and hope.
• Treasure Island by R.L. Stevenson
Young Jim Hawkins discovers a pirate’s treasure map, leading to a perilous sea adventure with Long John Silver and a crew of mutinous pirates. The quest for gold tests courage and loyalty amid danger and betrayal.
• The Adventures of Robin Hood by Paul Creswick
Robin Hood, a noble outlaw in Sherwood Forest, leads his band of Merry Men to rob the rich and aid the poor, outwitting the Sheriff of Nottingham. His daring exploits blend adventure, justice, and medieval romance.
• Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
Lemuel Gulliver’s voyages take him to strange lands like Lilliput, where tiny people and giants challenge his views on humanity, politics, and society. Swift’s satire uses fantastical settings to critique human nature and institutions.
Inspire a Love for Stories and Motivation to Read
If your child develops a love for stories then you are setting them up for success in their reading lives and future. Begin early and often, be okay with failure, and be the example. And remember you don’t always have to say yes to reading. Setting boundaries can actually encourage your kiddo to take ownership of their own reading skill.
Overall, I hope these tips inspire you to become a read aloud family. For further inspiration I recommend The Read Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie. Also, did I miss any books? If so, share in the comments the book(s) that have been successes for you and yours.
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Great ideas! Luckily my family loves a good story but sometimes we all struggle if it’s something we aren’t interested in but need to read (for school etc). I’ll have to try the audiobook in the car! Never thought about that even though I listen to them all the time! Thanks for sharing!
Yes, we should all be reading to our kids. This is a great list of books to read to your kids. Reading is such an important skill to develop, so starting early and doing it consistently is key. I think most, if not all of these, I read myself, and many of them I read with my son when he was younger. Now he is a regular reader.
I really loved reading this—so inspiring! I’ve always wanted to help the kids in my life fall in love with reading, and this gave me such a sweet and simple reminder that it all starts with great stories.
This is a great post! I never thought about kids’ audiobooks in the car. That would be a great idea for road trips or long car rides. Love the tip on boundaries too!
Great post and ideas! I love the book recommendations as I’m also a homeschool mom!
My husband is also currently reading the Bible to our son at night. When he gets a little older, I can’t wait to start reading the hobbit to him. Great list!