10 Amazing, Read Aloud Books to Delight Your Kids over Winter Break
So you want to read a book aloud over the winter break…
You have the picturesque view in your head, of you and your littles curled up in your favorite reading spot, perhaps with hot cocoa, or a few candles lit, with the family pet curled up at your feet. You managed to corral everyone into the room, and you’ve convinced them to put down their screens long enough to hear that this is not up for negotiation.
But how to keep them here? What book will you choose? Will it be fast-moving enough to keep their attention, with characters witty and charming enough to spark their imaginations?
What book to choose?
Here is a list of winners to help you make this winter break’s read-aloud tradition become a heartwarming memory, and not a heart-breaking disaster, in no particular order:
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Misfits to the rescue! A classic tale with endearing charm - (who among us hasn’t been lured to an event with the promise of snacks?) - where the kids who “aren’t quite right” end up making a classic pageant better with their participation.
A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L’Engle
A fantastical wunderkind, with stretched realities, good vs. evil, and a family love story. A must-read at some point, so why not now when you can curl up together and discuss tessering.
Redwall by Brian Jacques
Who doesn’t love a world with anthropomorphized creatures? This is an excellent book for anyone who loves adventure, and a reliable hero winning out.
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The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales
Magic, mystery, and family traditions meet strange and adventurous when Sofia receives a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school, and her culture crashes up against a world of privilege. Using her roots as a guide, the choices Sofia needs to make sheds new light on where she came from and the unique gift of her traditions.
Full of Beans by Jennifer Holm
1934 and the middle of the Great Depression, Beans and his gang know that adults lie. This barefoot, movie-loving Florida conch, has big, big plans, and young readers will love the humor and trouble they get in and out of.
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Another classic that will pull on heart-strings, tap into a child’s sense of right and wrong, and thill their imaginations. This book has magical gifts, a monkey, and the eternal hope of being reunited with a loved one. For those that enjoy a book/movie pairing, reading this aloud could continue into an evening of watching the story together.
Fortunately, The Milk by Neil Gaiman
This book is the right amount of ridiculous and hilarious. A time-traveling dad pops in and out of situations, meeting himself, pirates, creatures, and of course, breakfast cereal. The kids will love this, and if you are the reader, you will get to enjoy the fun illustrations the whole way through. This is a quick read and great as a first read-aloud chapter book.
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
This book is a blast. Both for the listener and the reader. With apparent jokes and subtle slides of intellectual brain sugar, the story is a wonder. This book is fast-moving and full of twists and turns. There may be questions about what the heck is going on, as each chapter is full of rancorous characters that will hold their attention and have them asking for more.
The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl
A round-about tale of professionals, aspiring shop owners, and particular eating needs, this charming Roald Dahl book keeps the pages turning with great action, and delightful characters.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Love, danger, sword fights, and magic - if you’ve only ever enjoyed the movie, reading The Princess bride will allow you to fall in love with Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, Westley and Buttercup all over again.
What childhood favorites would you add to this list?
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