Sometimes kids fall in love with a book that becomes the bane of your existence.
“The Barney book about shapes again? Sounds…fabulous,” you sigh. It’s the tenth time you’ve read it that day, and you’re fairly sure that you don’t love Barney, and he’s probably not actually that fond of you anymore either, despite what he sings in that mind numbing song.
Today, I wanted to share some books that aren’t that case for me. Some are classics, some are not. Some are funny, some are sweet. Whatever they are – they are amongst my very favorites. They are ones that never made me cringe when the kids asked to hear them. Actually, they were the books that made me say, “C’mon, let’s hear a story.”
10 Read Aloud Books that I Could Read Over and Over
1. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale – Any book where I get to say “Aggle Flaggle Klabble” and tell about a little girl going “boneless” will tickle my funny bone enough that I have to read it over and over.
2. Falling for Rapunzel – Another one that cracks us up! I’m a big fan of books that make us laugh. Upon the Prince calling to Rapunzel for some rope (exasperated that other means haven’t worked), she mishears and throws down a cantaloupe.
3. Goodnight Gorilla – This is a great one for kids to read when they are just beginning to read because there are so few words. They will love being able to read a real book all the way through. Again, this is a giggler.
4. The Missing Piece – One of my favorites as a child, I sing the songs just like my Mom used to sing them to me, in particular – the one that will probably make your kids laugh. (It’s hard for It to sing with a piece in It’s mouth.)
5. Llama Llama Mad at Mama – Llama Llama does not have a good time while shopping with Mama and throws a fit. Mama deals with it like a pro. This sweet rhyming book makes us laugh and say “Awww…” all within the span of a couple of pages.
6. Chrysanthemum – I love all the Kevin Henkes books that involve his mice characters. Chrysanthemum, the story of a little girl mouse, was the first of his books I heard and I was in love. Try to read this book and not fall in love with the name Chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum.
7. Olivia – She’s cute and full moxie. She’s Olivia! I love the illustrations, and the wild whimsy of Olivia.
8. You are my I Love You – I’m an emotional gal, and my kids have pretty tender hearts too. This book makes us all smile and fills our heart with love for each other. (This one would make a great gift for new parents to add to their baby’s book collection.)
9. Frog and Toad Together – While we love all the Frog and Toad books, Frog and Toad together features a couple of our favorite stories – The List and Cookies.
10. Goodnight Opus – This story’s illustrations are amazing, and the story tickles me. It’s a reminder to think outside the box. Or, should I say to, “get carried away and depart from the text.”
So, here’s the thing. I just couldn’t stop with ten this time. To keep with the top ten theme, I won’t talk about them (you’ll just have to go read about them), but here are nine more books that also got pulled from our bookshelf as I was trying to pick my ten favorites…
- Where the Wild Things Are
- Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type
- Wemberly Worried
- Koala Lou
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
- If You Give a Pig a Pancake (Eric thought this should have made the list above instead)
- Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
- Stellaluna
- The Monster at the End of This Book
Many of these books (on both lists) are part of Amazon’s Special Offer, which means that when you buy four books that are part of the offer, you get one free.
Hey! Speaking of books, want to see a sneak peek at something? Shhh…this is the first time I’m posting about an ebook that I have on the Kindle now (although it’s also available for download through my site), as well as a brand new ebook that I just finished last week. (There’s even an affiliate program.)
Not only is this post the hub for Top Ten Tuesday, but it’s also linked up with iHomeschool Network’s 10 in 10 (10 weeks of top 10 lists).
This post contains a whole lot of affiliate links. They don’t change the price you pay, but they do help keep us in books. We really appreciate that! (Disclosure Policy)
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“I Love You, Stinky Face!” by Lisa McCourt
“Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?” by Dr. Seuss
“Piggy’s Belly Button” by Faulkner & Lambert
“Lessons from the Farmyard” By Emilie Poulsson
Oh what a wonderful, happy list!
What a great list! There are a couple I have not read and I am writing them down to check out at the library.
Congrats on your books. I’m glad you put your Home Ec series into a book.
we LOVE the Llama, Llama books. and Frog & Toad. and Farmer Brown’s crazy animals.
Great List!!!
I have a board book of Goodnight Gorilla for my kids. I must have read it 100 times before bed. It taught my son how to say several of his first animal words. Great memories. I’ll have to look up some of those other ones.
LOL- I have only heard of about four of the books on your list. (May go to show that my kids are getting old-not me). I totally loved The Monster at the End of this Book. I remember reading that to my cousin when she was little. I will need to revisit this list when I have grandbabies.
May I just say how much I LOVE your list? The problem I had with this particular “Top 10” is that there are SO MANY good children’s books out there, it is hard to just pick 10…
We all love Llama Llama Mad at Mama (and Red Pajamas!) around here too. We have Give a Pig a Party which I’ve heard is along the same lines as Give a Pancake. I wasn’t crazy about it, but my daughter loved it and I read it over and over to her.
As much as we hope the kids will love the books we get for them… I suppose *we* love these books as much, if not more!
Thanks for hosting! 🙂
When I started reading this post, I immediately thought of my favorite kids book to read aloud – The Monster at the End of this Book! I love, love, love to read that book to my kids!! I think I enjoy reading it more than they enjoy listening to it!!! : ) I also love to read anything by Sandra Boynton, especially Pajama Time!!
Great list! Seeing yours makes me think of all the ones I “left out.”
Have you read any of the Minnie and Moo books? Skippyjon Jones keeps us laughing too, especially if I read it with an accent. I also love the Frog and Toad series you mentioned.
You know, I’m not sure I’ve read any of these? (Except for pieces of Frog and Toad…) I guess I need to get busy. =)
Oh my goodness Angie! What an amazing turn out 90 Blog Posts to read! This will take me all week! Lol But what fun!
One of my sisters used to read The Monster At The End of This Book and she would do it in a spot on Grover voice. I read that one as close to that way as I can for our kids, as well as Another Monster at the End of This Book (though when you have to do Grover AND Elmo alternating, it gets tough).
Angie – thanks so much for this lovely list! We read about half of them, but your post motivated me to chase up the books that we have not read yet!
Read Aloud Dad