A few weeks ago during a soccer game, my friend asked, “What books do you suggest as good family read-alouds?”
Bless my friend, for she did not know what she was getting into when she asked this question so innocently. See, sometimes I answer questions with much animation, with many flailing hands, as if I’m hopped up on caffeine and cannot find my way to the ground. Talking about books produces such a reaction in me, even while huddled under a blanket at a soccer game.
I started giving suggestions of books our family has loved through the years. My friend started jotting notes. I got more and more excited. I kept thinking of more books. She kept jotting. I couldn’t stop, and the list grew longer and longer.
I guess this is the part where I confess that when we got home from this soccer game and Malachi asked, “Did you see me score that goal?!” I suddenly came down off my Farmer-Boy–Box-Car-Children high and had to say, “Oohh sorry, Buddy. I was talking again. But remember when we read the Little Britches series?!”
#momoftheyear
Well, he’ll score other goals and I’m likely to see them. In my defense, I have four soccer-playing sons, so no one can expect me to re-live every goal scoring moment with them, can they? And besides, I’ve read a lot of great books to them all through the years, so I haven’t failed entirely.
Books, Books, Books
Today, with the help of a friend, we have put together a most amazing list of book suggestions for you and your family. Whether your kids are babies or teenagers, we’ve got book ideas for you. Beyond that, we’ve got book suggestions for grown-ups because sometimes we all need to grab some iced tea and have some down time in the form of a delicious read.
So peruse this list. Look into these books that my friend and I love. Leave comments on this post to tell us which books YOU recommend so we can all check those out too!
While we love checking books out from the library, sometimes it’s great to own a wonderful shelf (or eight) full of books! So we’ve included the Amazon links to each of these for your convenience. Some of these are listed at great prices!
Infant/Toddler Book Suggestions
I Spy Board Books
Goodnight Moon
Runaway Bunny
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (and other books by Eric Carle)
That’s Not My…series from UsBorne (some of which are available on Amazon)
Sandra Boynton’s Greatest Hits
DK Touch and Feel Series
Pre-School Book Suggestions
Mouse Paint
Bittle
Little Pink Pup
Richard Scarry Collection
Elephant & Piggie Collection
Knuffle Bunny Series
Lego City Book Set
Lift the Flap Bible Story Books from Reader’s Digest
Little Golden Book Collection
Early Elementary Book Suggestions
There is overlap in the Pre-K and the Early Elementary list, so be sure to check both if you have kids in either of these age groups!
Kiss the Cow
The “I’m” Book Series by Kate and Jim McMullan
Mr. Putney’s Quacking Dog
Bad Case of Stripes
Uff Da!
Pinkalicious Storybook Series
Gigi Book Series
Little Bear Series
Frog and Toad Book Collection
Dr. Seuss Book Collection
Make Way for Ducklings
Madeline Book Collection
Curious George Book Collection
Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel
Click, Clack Moo Book Series
Henry and Mudge Book Series
Skippyjon Jones Book Collection
Amelia Bedelia Book Series
Fly Guy Book Series
Diary of a Worm Book Series
I Spy Books
Where’s Waldo Book Collection
Otis the Tractor Book Series
Daddy, Could I Have an Elephant
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Lego Beginning Readers
Later Elementary
Bill Peet Books
Magic Tree House Book Series
Magic School Bus Book Series
Box Car Children Book Series
Encyclopedia Brown Book Series
American Girl Book Series
Tales of Young Americans Book Series
“I Survived” Book Series
Sarah Plain and Tall Book Series
Chicken Squad Book Series
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Clyde Robert Bulla Books
Books by Andrew Clements
Middle School/High School
Books by Cynthia Voigt
Mysterious Benedict Society Book Series
Penderwicks Book Series
Storm Runners Book Series
39 Clues Book Series
Secret Cipher Book Series
LOST (involves magic and wizardry)
Anne of Green Gables Book Series
Cooper Kids Book Series
Mandie Book Series
Grandma’s Attic Book Series
Great Family Read Aloud Book Suggestions
Any of the above books are great for reading aloud as well. In addition, I’ve found that if my kids have a hard time getting into a book or a series, I start out reading it to them and they take it from there!
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Charlotte’s Web
All of a Kind Family Book Series
Little House of the Prairie Book Series
Little Britches (Ralph Moody) Book Series
Swiss Family Robinson
Chronicles of Narnia Book Series
Adult Fiction
Sherlock Holmes and the Needle’s Eye: The World’s Greatest Detective Tackles the Bible’s Ultimate Mysteries
My friend Kim’s review: What if Sherlock Holmes was called in to solve some of the mysteries of the Bible? IN this book, he answers ten different questions from the Bible. Even if I did not agree with his answers, I found the writing well done and, more importantly, I found myself searching the Scriptures to find evidence that supported or conflicted with his answers.
Forevermore by Cathy Marie Hake
Kim’s review: Even though this book is part of a series, you can jump right into this one without reading the others. The main character in this book, Hope, will have you laughing and rolling your eyes at the nonsensical truisms she dispenses. Heartwarming and kind, this book is a feel-good book. (PS- The rest of the series is good, too, but this one is my favorite.)
The Cat Who Book Series by Lillian Jackson Braun
Amelia Peabody Book Series by Elizabeth Peters
Mrs. Pollifax Book Series by Dorothy Gilman
This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti
Kim’s review: This series challenged my thinking on the power of prayer and the unseen world of angels and demons.
Overton Window and Agenda 21 by Glenn Beck
The Illuminati by Larry Burkett
Restoration Book Series by Terri Blackstock
Kim’s review: What if something happened and suddenly there was no electricity, no running water, no cars, no cell phones (or landlines), no computers, no electronics of any kind? What if banks shut down, the post office did not work and there was no more McDonalds or WalMart? Big life changes for many… Where would God be in all this?
Adult Non-Fiction
Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson
Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson
Dare to Discipline by James Dobson
Parenting by the Book by John Rosemond
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover (or take Financial Peace University)
Your Turn!
Leave comments letting us know what books you love and recommend!
Some of these links are my affiliate links.
Thank you for the book suggestions!
I just wanted to bring it to your attention that the Audible advertisement on your blog advertised some very inappropriate books. I happened to notice because the pictures on the book covers were very inappropriate and at first, I thought the books were a part of your book suggestions! Having read your blog for years, I knew that couldn’t be true :) I know you do not control what Audible advertises but I thought you may want to know. Many blessings Laura!
Oh yuck!!!! I will notify my ad managers about this. I am so sorry that happened. The ad company I work with has been wonderful; I’m surprised this slipped through. Thank you for letting me know!
The Wilderking Trilogy is great for boys 8-12 or so. It’s kind of different, but my boys loved it, and it is (loosely) inspired by the Biblical history of David, which can prompt some great discussion.
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll look into this for my youngest!
You have so many good suggestions! Many we read while homeschooling our youngest. One of our favorites was “The Great Turkey Walk”. It is about a boy who takes a herd of turkeys from St. Loius to Denver…I think in the 1800. It is so funny!
My husband and I have continued reading out loud, though we are empty-nesters now. We love anything by Brock and Bodie Thoene
I’m so glad you mentioned this one! The Great Turkey Walk is one of our favorites I forgot to add!
Night of the moonjellies
Roxaboxen
Hank the cow dog (series)
Redwall (series)
Hobbit
Francis books
Caps for sale
A new coat for Anna
The rag coat
Dear America (series)
Rush Revere books (series)
Anything by Jan Brett (stories with beautiful illustrations)
Stone soup
Miss Rumphius
Adventures in the Northwoods (series)
Anything by Jean Stratton-Porter
….. I could go on and on! I asked my kids their favorites and we had fun remembering stories we have read ????
Wow, what a great list. Thank you!
Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books and Henry Huggins books were favorites when I was growing up and for my kids too.
Thank you for the great reading list! I feel that I must share a caution about the Noah’s Ark lift the flap book. If you’re familiar at all with Answers in Genesis (a wonderful creation/apologetics organization), you know they are very big on staying away from children’s depictions of the ark that make it look all cutesy and and impossibly unrealistic. It’s just one of the many things that contribute towards children growing up to not believe the Bible as they grow older. The real ark would have been huge, plenty big enough to hold all of the animals. They even have a whole exhibit about it at their Ark Encounter museum near Cincinnati Ohio.
https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2012/08/14/bathtub-arks-are-dangerous/
Thanks! It’s always so good to check everything with the Bible!
I absolutely loved Box Car Children when I was growing up! Although you did not mention it, as a member of Amazon Prime you can read many Kindle Books for free. You don’t have to have a Kindle as they will download to your iPad, iPhone or computer. You ‘borrow’ the book, read it and return it. I just discovered that last night although I have been a Prime member for a long time. I borrowed a book last night and read it. (I wonder why I am so sleepy today? LOL) I only looked at adult books so don’t know if they books for the younger crowd or not. Great for the budget and a big space saver.
Me TOO!! I’ve loved that my kids also love Boxcar Children so I’ve been able to read them over and over with them!
“Fascinating Womanhood” by Helen Andelin is one of my favorite non-fiction books. I first read it as a newlywed (a mere 5 years ago) and it really helped me to understand my husband more. I recommend this book to every woman I know and have given many copies to newlywed friends at our church. It’s an invaluable marriage tool and I am so grateful to my sister in law for gifting me a copy on my wedding day!
Thanks for the great recommendation!
Gotta bookmark this list – thanks! My daughter (8) just read the Boxcar Children for the first time. Now she’s tearing through the series and telling me about Ben’s escapades :) It warms my heart to know it was one of my mother’s favorites, my own favorites – and now my daughter’s favorites. The epitome of timeless.
I feel the same about Boxcar books. Oh that Benny… ;)
what age do you start reading aloud chapter books to your children? I have read a few, but its more like an on and off thing. My kids are 7, 5, 3, and 2. The 2 year old obviously has no interest. Sometimes I have a hard time getting them to be quiet. My 7 year old would listen all day, but my 5 year old (boy) is the rambuctious type, so its hard to get him to actually listen. Do you have any tips for this? The one book they actually listened to was paddington, and we only read half…because someone put it somewhere and I cant find it. :)
I often read at breakfast and/or lunch when their hands and mouths are happily occupied! At other times, it works well to let them play with something: my favorite is coloring because then they are the most quiet but that doesn’t always work….playdough, legos, anything that lets them keep those little hands busy. And its as much a training thing as anything else, right? Some personalities just love to cozy up to mom and listen for hours…..others just need to wiggle. Start small and don’t give up!!
I second the “read while they’re eating” idea. We did that for years when our kids were younger (and older!). It helped them focus on eating too instead of goofing around at the table (bonus perk). Otherwise, they would play legos and such while I read in the living room to keep them from being too distracted. We still had our moments, for sure! But these tricks helped!
We loved the Shadow Children by Margaret Peterson Haddix!
Ooh, a new one for me to check out!
LOVE the boxcar children SO much :) And so glad that my eldest daughter is enjoying them as much as I did. Only problem is she has read through all the ones we have about three times at least, lol! (Not really a problem:) ) This list is great because I have been unsure what to introduce her to next! She is ten and I know that some of the books I read around that age I probably shouldn’t have. My mom kind of let me loose in the library and I devoured books. She has read several of the Mandie series but I am excited now to find some of your suggestions for her to read. Thank you so much for sharing!
I remember reading stuff I shouldn’t have too! Eeek. Thank goodness there are so many great options to direct our kids to!
I am THRILLED to get your list, Laura, because I respect your opinion so much!! Thank you everyone else for their recommendations, too.
Our children have really liked the Gerald and Piggy series. And so do I! Lots of word repetition, large print, helpful picture clues, few words on each page, wonderful life lessons (sharing, considering others’ feelings, and more) and great artwork. Funny, too!
The older one loves the Grandma’s Attic and Narnia series, too…he will be in 3rd grade next fall (sortof, or however that falls out with homeschoolers–ha!).
Blessings to all of you!
Oh yeah, Grandma’s Attic. I used to love those!
Thank you for including Adult Fiction in the list. Can’t wait to try some of the suggestions! I’m re-reading Holes (just for me, not even out loud to my kids) to kick off summer because it’s one of my favorites!
Thank you for this list Laura, and for the time that you and Kim took to put it together. I will use it as a resource. I have a 7, 4,3,11 month old, and my 7 y/o daughter loves the Mandie series! We also love Boxcar children and many others listed. Love the adult list. I’m currently reading Wife for Life by Ramona Zabrinskie and love that one too.
Adult fiction: The Centurion’s Wife by Janette Oke… a dear old Christian lady at the nursing home urged me to read this… it was very good!
Family read aloud series: Moody Family Series by Sarah Maxwell at Titus2 ministries… my kids LOVE these wholesome books about a Christian homeschool family that loves one another and shines the light of Jesus everywhere they go. Highly recommend!
Thanks for this list. We have enjoyed many of these over the years. I would also recommend:
Hank the Cowdog series
Humphrey series
Chester Cricket series
The Littles series
Geronimo Stilton series
Thanks for the reading list. I have always loved reading with my kids.
There is a great series by Louise Erdrich that follows a native American Ojibwe family living in Minnesota in the 1850’s family. The books are written from the perspective of the children in the family and has a lot of historically accurate info. You also learn some Ojibwe language. The first book is The Birch Bark House. It is geared towards 3-5th grade.
Another book for that age range that my family loves is Island of the Blue dolphins by Scott O’Dell.
If you have someone who loves baseball, the Baseball Card Adventures by Dan Gutman is great for 5-6th grade. It takes you back to the time of the player on the baseball card. My son read them as they were coming out and couldn’t wait for the next one.
One of our all time favorite is a Trilogy that starts with The Dragon Boy by Donald Samson, also for about 4-6th grade. A beautifully written story about an orphan boy, in medieval times, who discovers that his is descended from a line of dragon keepers and comes to care for and love a luck dragon, Star.
Some great parenting books are Simplicity Parenting and The Soul of Discipline, both by Kim John Payne. He has a website, Simplicity Parenting, and you can also find some talks he has given on youtube. He is a fabulous speaker and really understands children.
Lamplighters are fantastic books! Also, don’t forget the many wonderful Christian Biographies……Amy Carmichael, Nate Saint, John Wycliffe, Tyndall, etc.
Anything by GK Chesterson too!
Thank you for all your shares!