Reading aloud is a beautiful way to foster connection through the stories. In this blog post, we’re sharing our favorite classic stories plus a free booklist—a guide for intentional families seeking rich literature and captivating novels that are sure to become family favorites.

In this blog post: 

• Family read-alouds: Why and how?
• Our favorite read-alouds: Essential stories for every family
• Free Printable PDF Booklist: 50 Read-Aloud Novels for Families
• Tips for reading-aloud in your home
• Ideas for including little children in read-aloud time
• Using Treehouse Book Studies to structure family read-alouds

Family read-alouds: Why and how?

Reading aloud is a wonderful way to introduce children to literature from a young age – even before they are able to read on their own! Reading aloud helps children develop the habit of attention as they listen along to stories, introduces them to rich literature and vocabulary, and gives families a way to learn together. 

Whether you are reading for pleasure or as part of your homeschool curriculum, here are some ideas for adding the practice of reading aloud in your home:

• Spend a few minutes reading aloud around a family mealtime, like breakfast or lunch. This is a great way to create a habitual time of reading aloud in your home. 
• Read to children during afternoon breaks, while they play with toys quietly as they listen. 
• Read to children in the evenings, between dinner and bedtime. 
• Listen to audiobooks in the car or on long car trips.

Our favorite read-alouds: Essential stories for every family

Here are some of our favorite read-aloud books to read to children. These are classic novels that are suitable for children of any age, which feature beloved animal stories, delightful characters, and tales of survival and coming of age. These wholesome family books will help children explore character as they enjoy reading wonderful works of literature with your family.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White 

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White is about a kind-hearted spider named Charlotte saves a runt pig named Wilbur from slaughter by weaving praising messages about him into her webs. It is a poignant exploration of friendship, sacrifice, and the cycles of life. Check out the coordinating book study here.

Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne

Winnie-the-Pooh and his animal friends go on a series of gentle, funny adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood that celebrate the sweetness of friendship and imagination. Check out the coordinating book study here.

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley 

In The Black Stallion, after being shipwrecked on a deserted island, a young boy named Alec forms an unbreakable bond with a wild, majestic stallion. Upon their rescue, they work together to train the horse for the racing world’s biggest stage. Check out the coordinating book study here.

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett 

In My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett, young Elmer Elevator travels to Wild Island to rescue a baby dragon being used as a ferry by lazy animals. Armed with oddities like chewing gum and lollipops, Elmer uses his wits to outsmart the jungle’s inhabitants. Check out the coordinating book study here.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis 

In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, four siblings discover a magical land called Narnia hidden in the back of a wardrobe, which is trapped in an eternal winter by a White Witch. With the help of the Great Lion, Aslan, they fulfill a prophecy to liberate the kingdom. Check out the coordinating book study here.

Adventures with Waffles by Maria Parr 

Adventures with Waffles by Maria Parr follows 9-year-old Trille and his fearless best friend Lena as they spend a year engaging in wild, often humorous escapades in their small Norwegian coastal village. Beneath the fun, the story explores the depth of their bond and the fear of losing those you love. Check out the coordinating book study here.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a story about a young orphan who is sent to live at her uncle’s gloomy estate. There, she discovers a hidden, neglected garden and, alongside new friends, finds that nurturing the earth helps her own heart heal and bloom. Check out the coordinating book study here.

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George 

Unhappy with his life in New York City, teenage Sam Gribley runs away to the Catskill Mountains to live off the land in a hollowed-out tree. The novel details his survival skills and his deep connection with a peregrine falcon named Frightful. Check out the coordinating book study here.

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls 

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls is a classic story about a farm boy in the Ozarks, who discovers a troop of escaped circus monkeys and sets out to capture them for a hefty reward to buy a pony. His journey turns into a series of comedic and heartwarming lessons about family and what truly matters. Check out the coordinating book study here.

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli 

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli is set in the Middle Ages, where a young boy named Robin must find a new path in life after he is paralyzed by illness and separated from his noble parents. With the guidance of a kind friar, he learns that “a door in the wall” can always be found through courage and service. Check out the coordinating book study here.

Free Printable PDF Booklist: 50 Read-Aloud Novels for Families 

Looking for more quality novels to read-aloud to your children? We’ve put together a list of 50 favorite read-aloud books for families. This list includes classic books featuring:

• Stories with animal friends
• Stories with magic and wonder
• Tales of pluck and spirit
• Adventure and survival stories
• Book with humor and laughter

We hope this list helps you find books your family will love for years to come. Download the free booklist below.

Tips for adding more time for reading-aloud in your home

If you are planning on reading more in your home, here are some things to consider:

• Start small and build from there. You can practice reading aloud in short increments to get your children used to listening quietly. Start with 5-15 minutes and then build from there, gently introducing your children to the practice.
• Choose quality literature. Choose quality literature with rich language and engaging stories, or choose stories that resonate with your children’s interests. Feel free to switch to a different book if a child is not enjoying the book you selected. 
• Leave time and space for reading in your home. Reading, like everything else, is a time commitment. If you are always rushed or on-the-go, it will be hard to build this practice into your family life. Create space in your schedule or daily rhythm for time to read together. 
• Read with an engaging voice. Children will love reading with you if you create voices for different characters or read slowly so they can follow along. Reading aloud takes practice, but reading with excitement and expression will help children delight in the practice and see how much the can learn from books and reading.

For more ideas about reading aloud, consider checking out Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt or Reading Magic by Mem Fox.

Ideas for including little children in family read-aloud time

Read-aloud stories are a wonderful addition to a family rhythm, even for younger children. While read-aloud novels may be more advanced, there is plenty for young children to learn as you read-aloud as a family. 

Younger children have the opportunity to gently become exposed to advanced ideas earlier through listening and participating with their older siblings. As they observe, they are picking up advanced vocabulary, ideas, and concepts. They are also learning how to focus, be patient, and interact in conversation as they observe their older siblings learning.

Another way to help children participate in read-aloud time is by allowing small children to have playtime during read aloud. Children can play with small toys or do hands-on activities quietly as you read aloud, giving them a way to participate with the family while still doing an activity that is well-suited to their level. This blog post has dozens of ideas to help engage young children during read aloud time.

During read-alouds, young children can also color illustrations related to the story, draw or trace pictures in their notebook, or do crafts that are related to the story. Treehouse Book Studies include tons of ideas for crafts, recipes and activities for children to enjoy as you read together.

Using Treehouse Book Studies to structure family read-alouds

Treehouse Book Studies are guides to help your family explore great literature together. 

Here are some ways you could integrate Treehouse Book Studies into your homeschool:

• Literature-based core curriculum: Use the study as your core curriculum by adding a leveled math and language arts curriculum (if desired). Read the assigned chapters aloud. Complete most or all activities, and do an in-depth study of themes in the book that specifically interest your children using additional resources like books, videos, research, and notebooking.
• Supplemental curriculum: Read the assigned chapters aloud or have older children read independently. Use the lesson guide as a menu to select one lesson or activity each day or week to complete.
• Weekly or monthly community book club: Read the book with your family and gather with other families using Treehouse Book Studies after completing the book. Use the discussion questions to guide the conversation, choose activities and lessons to do as a group, and practice presentation skills to share notebook pages and book reports. Refer to the Book Club Meet-Up Guide for ideas.

Does your family read aloud in your home? Share all of your tips and favorite books in the comments below.