10 HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS OF WAYS TO READ ALOUD PICTURE BOOKS
One of your must enjoyable memories will be remembering the books snd time you spend reading to your child. Maybe it was a time when they sat on your lap, or cuddle next to you in a big arm chair, or maybe it was just you reading as your child lay on a blanket on the floor nearby. Wherever that place was, it makes no difference, because the memory of those moments will always be close at heart.
None of us are naturals at reading a loud to a toddler but these few tips may help in making you a pro at reading aloud picture books.
When you first open the book, always begin with the title of the book and the name of the author and illustrator. By doing this you teach appreciation for the book and always become familiar with an author and enjoy other stories that have been written.
Make sure to spend time admiring the cover of the book and even talking about it.
Don’t just read the book, feel the book!
Remember, it is possible you could just not like the book, and that’s fine, we do not have to like every children picture book, you can just change the book for another. There are many reasons that the book may not be a fit. Perhaps, its beyond your child’s comprehension, too many words. Some older, true classic books may seem too dated, harsh, racially insensitive or even sexist. You can still give that book a chance. You can try to replace some parts with more empathic words or with today’s new modern approach to how we see the world.
Just because you are reading the story, you should still allow your child to participate in the process. Have them turn the pages.
Remember, you are reading to a toddler, so slow down the pace, they need more time than you to fully enjoy the book.
Try singing some parts of the book and using silly voices for the characters making them sound funny and make them come alive.
Always point to objects and allow your child the chance to tell you what it is.
If your toddler enjoys certain books, keep re-reading them as that helps with a baby’s memory.
Find a quiet spot in or out of your house where you will not be disturbed.
WHERE TO GO FOR READ ALOUD STORIES
Check out your local library.
Most have regular scheduled Storytime hours for children. This is a get opportunity for children to be read to in a group setting and a wonderful chance to met up with other parents.
If you are lucky enough, your library could also have an author making a special visit.
Look for community events sponsored by library that may be geared to families with young children.
Visit local and big retail bookstores
Like libraries, many bookstores also offer weekly free read-aloud Storytime hours and author appearances
30 GREAT PICTURE BOOKS TO READ ALOUD TO YOUR TODDLER
NEW AND OLD CLASSIC PICTURE BOOKS
The Amazing Bone by William Stein - A pig and her nee friend, a small talking bone, outsmart a bunch of robbers and a very hungry fox.
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss - A child learns patience and what’s needed to plant a seed and help it grow
Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag - An old and an old woman decide to get a cat, but they don’t end up with one. Could it be millions, billions or trillions?
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson - With an oversized crayon watch what Harold’s imagination can draw
The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton - An old-fashion farmhouse may get taken down, but won’t be taken down
A Tree is Nice by Janice May Dry - An ode to all that is beautiful with trees in our lives
Frederick by Leo Dionne - A mouse that collects words to make poems
The House of East 88th Street by Bernard Weber - Lyle the Crocodile lives as a human in NYC
Caps for Sal by Esphyr Slobodkina - Monkeys steal a caps from a man trying to sell them
Moon Man by Tommy Ungerer - A moon comes to Earth to join in life as we live it
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! By Mo Willems - An interactive that lets children help the bus driver toot let the pigeon drive the bus
The Stray Dog by Marc Simons - A stray dog finds a new home
Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers - A book that shows babies doing all the cute things that they do
Train, Farm and Beach by Elisha Cooper - A great book for kids who are curious about the everyday world
Flotsam by David Wiesner - A wordless book of a kid who finds a camera on the beach
Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall - Traces the history of one lighthouse over time
Shadow by Suzy Lee - A little girl with a flashlight creates a magical world of shadows
Knick-Knack Paddywhack by Paul O. Zellinsky - A lift-the-flap art book that thrills little ones
Du Iuz Tak? By Carson Ellis - A funny book about the cycle of a plant
They say Blue by Jillian Tamaki - Changing seasons and times of day through color
BEST PICTURE BOOKS FOR BEDTIME
In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak - A child wakes in the middle of the night to barked preparing morning cake
Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann - A wordless book of a zookeeper trying to get a gorilla to bed
10 Minutes till Bedtime by Peggy Rathmann - A book with very few words that can be read many different ways
Time for Bed by Men Fox - Animal parents say good night to their babies
A Book of Sleep by II Sung Na - Painted oils and ink drawings create a dreamscape
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Dusky Tinker - A child who loves vehicles will love this book
Thank you and Good Night by Patrick McDonnell - Three animal friends have a sleepover
I am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed by Lauren Child - Older brother tries to get younger sister to bed
The Way Home in the Night by Akin Miyakoshi - A rabbit is carried home through the city by her parents as the bedtime nears
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell - Three baby owls wake up at night to find their mother missing, but of course she comes back