Our Favorite Read Alouds & Tips

Check out what our youth librarians love reading during storytime and get age-specific tips for choosing books to read with your child at home!

Updated February 6, 2024
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
How do you choose books to read aloud with your child? There are many things to think about: how interesting the topic or characters might be for your child; an intriguing setting, time period, or plot; the liveliness or beauty of the language; or how engaging the illustrations are. Some books are more appropriate based on social and emotional development at each stage of a young child’s life. Find guidance here in choosing great read alouds.
Fluffy McWhiskers : cuteness explosion
Martin, Stephen W.
Paper Book
Friendship is hard for Fluffy, a kitten so precious that anyone who looks at her explodes! Meet Fluffy--an adorable kitten. So adorable, in fact, that anyone who sees her will spontaneously explode into balls of sparkles and fireworks. KABOOM! Poof. Poor...
Jessica's pick. A funny read-aloud for school-agers!
The legend of rock paper scissors
Daywalt, Drew
Paper Book
New York Times Bestseller! 5 Starred Reviews! "Will have listeners in stitches." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Purely absurd, sidesplitting humor." --Booklist (starred review) "Demands bombastic, full-volume performances." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) ...

Heather's pick. Great for reading aloud with school-age kids!

The rice in the pot goes round and round
Shang, Wendy Wan Long
Paper Book
Sing along to this delicious twist on "The Wheels on the Bus" and celebrate the food, laughter, and love of a multigenerational family meal! * "Artfully brings an authentic expression of family love...an utterly charming [twist] to a familiar tune." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred...
Jessica's pick. Readers of all ages will enjoy singing along!
Shh! We have a plan
Haughton, Chris
Paper Book
From the creator of Little Owl Lost and Oh No, George! comes a funny, strikingly illustrated story of best-laid plans -- and the secret to attracting the birdie. Four friends creep through the woods, and what do they spot? An exquisite bird high in a tree! "Hello...

Susannah's pick. An adventure for preschoolers and up!


Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.