Note: We’re excited to welcome back longtime contributor Jeremy Anderberg, who will be writing occasional articles for AoM once again.
Reading aloud to your children provides a host of benefits for little ones and adults alike. Beyond even the measurable advantages is the simple pleasure of connecting with your kids and engaging in the ancient tradition of sharing stories.
When kids are ages 4 and under, getting through read-aloud stories can honestly feel like a chore. The same board books repeated again and again and again . . . one can only handle so much Pete the Cat and annoying rhyming ditties.
Ages 4 to 7 bring some relief. Kids can enjoy longer, more engaging tales, plus they can start to read words and sentences themselves, which adds a special magic to the experience.
Somewhere between ages 7 and 9, things change yet again. Kids are usually reading on their own and may not “need” stories read aloud — heck, they might even ask you to drop the nightly routine. But if you keep the practice going, you’ll find it becomes even richer and more fun than before because they’re ready to listen to more interesting middle-grade chapter books.
It’s when kids get to this crucial age that they can truly start learning some of life’s most important lessons about love, courage, relationships, and more — and those lessons don’t change much as you age. It’s no accident that many of the classic novels in this category are among the best-selling titles of all time. Their blend of timeless lessons with compelling adventure has made them favorites in our own household too.
Below are four we’ve read aloud to our kids that they really enjoyed.
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Tolkien’s classic children’s book is generally seen as the appetizer to the immense Lord of the Rings trilogy. But when read with kids, you’ll (re)discover that it makes for a fantastic story of its own that doesn’t just need to be a stepping stone to its door-stopping follow-up.
Introducing Middle-earth and all its inhabitants — hobbits, elves, orcs, dwarves, wizards — readers are immediately drawn into a world that combines whimsical adventure with rather serious battles between good and evil. (Tolkien knew his age group, though: this story doesn’t get as dark or scary as Lord of the Rings.) At its core, The Hobbit is a tale of a quiet fellow who discovers a well of courage and resolve to do good and daring deeds.
While any version of it works well, our family especially enjoys the edition illustrated by Jemima Catlin.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
If the movie Interstellar were a children’s novel with a little more fantasy and a little less sci-fi, it would be L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. This book has a bit of everything: time travel (and tesseracts), aliens, sibling conflicts, mitochondrial science, and a darkness vs. light theme running throughout. What makes this story really stand out are its beautiful meditations on love, family, and accepting who you are. A Wrinkle in Time is perhaps our household’s most beloved story; I’ve read it aloud at least three times, and I expect I’m not done yet.
The graphic version, adapted by Hope Larson, is fantastic. We started with it before moving onto the full, unabridged novel. And although we’ve tried the sequels (there are five books in the series), none have been enjoyed nearly as much as the original.
The Odyssey by Homer
This ancient Greek epic is not your standard children’s fare. But I know a bunch of kids, mostly boys but not entirely, who love learning about Greek and Roman mythology in school. They eat up all those old stories of heroes battling monsters and fighting next to their brothers in arms. What better book to read, for this group, than one of the oldest and most powerful narratives in the history of world literature.
Now, don’t jump right into the full text of the Odyssey. That’s enough to make an adult’s head spin, let alone a 10-year-old. For this book, I recommend going with an abridged graphic version that hits all the narrative highlights while retaining the classic poetic writing style. There are a few options, but the best of the bunch is Gareth Hinds, who has adapted a number of famed novels and plays into accessible graphic editions. If that goes well, consider trying the real thing — Emily Wilson’s translation is great — but don’t be too discouraged if it doesn’t hit the same.
By now you’ve seen I often recommend illustrated or graphic editions. Some people worry about this trend in children’s literature, but I see them as a great bridge between picture books and chapter books. If it keeps kids reading I’m all for it, and the visuals usually make the story stick even more.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis’s most famous book is also the shortest and most accessible title on this list. Combining mythologies and religious ideas, Lewis gave the world the kind of story that anyone and everyone can enjoy.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a rich, beautiful tale about four kids who find themselves in a hidden world that’s been plunged into an epic conflict. They’re drafted into that battle and are forced to find deeper reserves of bravery and love than they thought possible.
Our kids love all things Narnia, including the whole seven-book series, along with a few movie adaptations. But the book that started it all is still their favorite — and mine too.
Here are a few more recommendations from Brett and Kate that the McKay children especially enjoyed:
- The Call of the Wild by Jack London
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
- My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
- Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
- The Curse of the Blue Figurine by John Bellairs
Reading aloud doesn’t have to end when kids learn to read on their own. In fact, these middle-grade classics show that it can get even better. They remind us that stories aren’t just entertainment — they offer adventure, tradition, and lessons that last a lifetime.
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