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
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LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Gladstone & Oak Lodge Public Libraries
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https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/childrens-books/articles/how-choose-read-aloud-books-babies-third-graders
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.
Endlessly ever after : pick your path to countless fairy tale endings! : a story of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, Hansel, Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, a wolf, a witch, a goose, a grandmother, some pigs, and endless variations
Snyder, Laurel
Paper Book
This funny, original, choose-your-path picture book of fractured fairy tales will charm any young fan of the genre, putting the power of storytelling right in the reader's hands! Grab your basket and your coat. Put on some walking shoes. Turn the page...

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

Animals move
Whittingham, Jane
Paper Book
Preschoolers love baby animals, and they love to move. Celebrate both with this Toddler Tough board book perfect for an active read-aloud! Fawns leap, / Hatchlings bounce, / Porcupettes nibble, / Kittens pounce. Story time is on the move with this multilayered concept book. Preschoolers...
Jessica's pick. The perfect read-aloud for the energetic toddler!
Bark, George
Feiffer, Jules
Paper Book
Named one of 100 Great Children's Books by The New York Public Library and #9 on School Library Journal's list of the Top 100 Picture Books! From acclaimed author-illustrator Jules Feiffer, Bark, George is a hilarious, subversive story about a dog who can't . . . bark! This...
Susannah's pick. Silly fun for toddlers and preschoolers!
Everybunny dance!
Sandall, Ellie
Paper Book
Bunnies dance, play, sing, and make a new friend in this delightful picture book from the author of Follow Me!, which School Library Journal called "a winsome selection suitable for storytime." Nobody is watching. Now's the perfect chance. ...

Heather's pick. A fun interactive read for energetic toddlers!

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!
Is everyone ready for fun?
Thomas, Jan
Paper Book
Chicken has some unexpected and exuberant cow visitors who have exciting plans for jumping, dancing, and wiggling on his teeny-tiny couch, and Chicken is none too happy about it. That is until the fun concludes with a quiet, cozy and delicious nap for all!

Heather's pick. A funny read-aloud for all ages!

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!

Moo!
LaRochelle, David.
Paper Book
This utterly clever and fun story is the perfect read aloud! When Cow gets her hooves on the farmer's car, she takes it for a wild ride through the country. Moooo! But a bump in the road brings this joy ride to a troublesome end. Moo-moo. . . . Has Cow learned her lesson about...

Susannah's pick. Silly read-aloud fun for everyone!

I love my white shoes
Dean, James
Paper Book
Pete the Cat is off for a walk in his brand new white shoes, and he feels like singing. 'I love my white shoes...' But can he keep the music flowing if his shoes aren't so white any more? Pete the Cat is feeling good in his brand new white shoes, just walking along, singing his song. 'I...

Heather's pick. A classic!

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!
Rhyming dust bunnies
Thomas, Jan
Paper Book
Bug! Rug! Mug! Hug! These dust bunnies love to rhyme. Well, except for Bob. Much to the other bunnies' frustration, Bob can never get the rhythm right. Then he saves everyone from a big, scary monster wielding--gasp!--a broom, and they all breathe a sigh of relief. But can Bob save them from the big...

Susannah's pick. Silly fun for young ones learning how to rhyme!

Shh! We have a plan
Haughton, Chris
Paper Book
Four friends, three big and one little, are out for a walk. Suddenly, they spot it - a beautiful bird perched high in a tree They simply must have it and - shh - they have a plan.

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

The wheels on the tuk tuk
Sehgal, Kabir
Paper Book
From the mother-son duo behind the New York Times bestselling A Bucket of Blessings comes a zany picture book about a wild ride on a tuk tuk taxi in India! This picture book brings an international twist to the beloved nursery rhyme, The Wheels on the Bus, by...

Jessica's pick. Readers of all ages will enjoy singing along!


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