| Even if your child knows how to read, or is learning | | | | you child enjoys these books, there are several Little |
| to read, you can both benefit from reading together. | | | | House themed cook and activity books available as |
| Reading aloud gives you time together, and your child | | | | well, so you can do projects together based on the |
| can ask questions about the story you are reading if | | | | stories you have read. |
| needed. You can also ask questions about the | | | | Charlotte's Web by E.B. White |
| chapter or segment you read, or the story so far, to | | | | Read to: ages 5+ |
| get an idea of what your child is retaining. One of the | | | | This book is a classic for a reason. The story of |
| best things about reading aloud is that you can revisit | | | | Wilbur the pig, and his friend Charlotte the spider has |
| favorite books from your own past, and introduce | | | | strong themes of friendship, loss, and hope. Be |
| beloved literary friends to your child. | | | | aware that this story, while compelling and ultimately |
| Below are four great books to read aloud: | | | | enjoyable, may be upsetting to sensitive readers. |
| Frog and Toad Series by Arnold Lobel | | | | (Read ahead to the ending on your own if you are |
| Read to: ages 3-8 | | | | not familiar with the story). This story is also a great |
| This early reader series features Frog (a frog), and | | | | conversation starter when read alongside or to older |
| Toad (a toad), and their adventures. Frog and Toad | | | | children. Young children will not "get" all of the |
| have distinct appearances and dispositions. Frog is the | | | | underlying themes, but will enjoy the surface story |
| more mature character, and often helps solve | | | | of farm life and friendship. |
| problems for the more flighty and sometimes grumpy | | | | Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling |
| Toad. Chapters are easy to read, and the stories | | | | Read to: ages 8+. |
| have gentle humor. Frog and Toad are good friends, | | | | This series is great to read aloud. Even adults without |
| and support one another well. Mouse Soup by the | | | | children enjoy the audio versions, as the language is |
| same author is a great pick as well. | | | | very animated. If you drive your kids to school, |
| Little House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls | | | | consider an audio version for the car-one book should |
| Wilder | | | | last most of the school year! Begin with the first |
| Read to: ages 5+ | | | | book, and progress to later books as your child |
| The "Little House" books have been loved by | | | | grows. Be aware that the themes in the books get |
| generations of girls, if you are a mom, chances are | | | | darker as the series progresses. While book #1 is |
| you read this series in your youth. The books | | | | appropriate for most ages, books 4-7 are not really |
| recount the author's childhood in the pioneer days of | | | | suitable for young readers (though older children and |
| our country, the late 19th century. Read these in | | | | adults will enjoy them immensely). |
| order, if you can. The Little House books will | | | | Other great "read aloud" choices: |
| introduce your child to a different time and place, and | | | | The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum |
| a different style of living. There are some dramatic | | | | Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park |
| moments in the books, but nothing terribly scary. If | | | | Stuart Little by E. |