Saturday, January 1, 2011

Brian's Favorite Read-Aloud Kid Books

Maggie loves most of these books but this list isn't for the kids.  It's for me and you, the parent or other adult who reads to children.  A good read-aloud book makes it fun for you, which makes reading special for them.  So I guess the list kinda is for them.  Without further ado:

The Three Little Pigs.  A classic in any version so long as that big bad wolf keeps uttering his menacing refrain: I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down!

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!  Will there be enough room?  The ABCs get a little ambitious when they all try to climb the same tree.  A good one for younger kiddos and those learning the alphabet.












 Fox flusters a friend with infuriating tongue floppers.  You can't really go wrong with Dr. Seuss but this and Mr. Brown are definitely top notch.














Oh the wonderful things Mister Brown can do! Read it like an over-enthusiastic J. Peterman (Elaine's boss on Seinfeld).
A simple one that begs you to drum on the pages and sing-song your way through it.


But who is this creature with terrible claws and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws?  He has knobbly knees and turned-out-toes and a poisonous wart at the end of his nose.  Probably the most advanced on this list, Donaldson's modern classic has wonderful rhythm and repetition, a clever ending and an aurally inviting cast.
Wee Wa Wee Wa Rooty Toot Too!  Every page has it's own color that, along with the listed objects, gives the mood for the reader.  Filter it through your inner Miles Davis and you've got a winner.














Boynton is another safe bet for quality read-alouds but the Pookie books, which really hinge on the caring character of Pookie's mama (who, in my imagination, is delightfully ebullient, Southern, and full-figured), are especially enjoyable.
























Even without a passable Grover impression, this postmodern wonder, which is about the very act of reading this very book, is a riot.  I dare you not to have fun bringing Grover's over-the-top fear to life.

Hope you enjoyed the list and maybe even found yourself a new read-aloud.  Let me know your favorites in the comments!

5 comments:

Brian said...

I wanted to add another favorite, Frog and Dog Have a Party, for it's sophisticated and depressed frog and his good-naturedly simple dog friend, but it appears to be out of print. Also, there were no cover images online and I was too lazy to scan it.

Another that might earn a spot on the list, but which I haven't read enough (because we don't own it), is Don't Let the Pigeon on the Bus.

Jodi said...

Yay, I love children's book lists! Adding The Gruffalo to my library queue, as well as the Frog and Dog book.

Anonymous said...

The Monster at the End of This Book was one of my all time favorites to read (or have read to me) as a kid! Love it! My other favorites to read aloud (that I discovered in college from my education major roommate) are Junie B. Jones books. Perhaps better for kids in school...but lovable nonetheless.

Thanks for sharing your favorites!

--Natalie

theRachel said...

I would love to hear you read some of these books aloud :) I will have to keep this list in mind when I'm looking for literary gifts for the little ones in my life.

Brian said...

A new fave: The Class Artist

I'll think about other new faves too and maybe make another post about it. In the meantime I wanted to get this title down.