The Homeschooler’s Library: 10 Books to Read Aloud Before Your Child is Six
My local public library has a reading initiative, challenging parents to read aloud 1000 books before their child starts kindergarten. It’s a cool idea—and one that translates to reading between four and five picture books a week (depending on how little your infant is when you start!)
We tend to think of literacy as something that a child starts working towards when they begin formal education. The truth of the matter is, parents and caregivers can lay the foundation for a life that’s rich in books, long before a child begins learning to read.
If you think 1000 books before kindergarten could be part of that process in your family, then know I’m wholeheartedly cheering you on!
But regardless of your long-term read-aloud goals, here are just 10 titles I hope you make time to hunt out and read, before your child is ready for grade one:
10 Books to Read Aloud Before Your Child is Six
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle—Children love following the ever-increasing feast of a hungry caterpillar, as he transitions from an egg to a beautiful butterfly—and consumes an astonishing variety of food along the way! My copy is picture book sized (although the pages are stiffer than your ordinary picture book, to accommodate little fingers poking through the specially-stamped holes where the caterpillar has “chewed” on each page.) I believe it may also be available as a board book, for an even younger audience.
Dogger by Shirley Hughes—This is possibly the only picture book I can remember reading as a child that tackled an emotionally traumatic topic (at least from a kid’s perspective!) in a way that was 100% comfortable and reassuring. When Davy’s precious toy Dogger goes missing on the eve of the school fair, Davy’s whole world is turned upside-down. Will his family stick together and save the day?
And You Can Be the Cat by Hazel Hutchins—Oh, I love, love, LOVE this story! When Neil comes over the play dress-up, Leanna’s rules are firm. Norman can play too—but only if he’s willing to be the cat. This is a delightfully-told story with a fabulous lesson about fairness that resonates authentically with children of all ages.
Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett—When Annie’s cat goes missing, Annie comes up with an innovative plan. Surely some perseverance, and a dose of cornmeal muffins, will be enough to solve her problem. The trouble is—Annie’s strategy seems to be attracting all the wrong kinds of pets! This was one of my sister’s favourite books growing up.
My First Little House Books adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder—These beautifully-illustrated adaptations have become a classic in their own right. Children love them, and something about the combination of the slow-moving, circumstantial text and the gentle, pastel pictures has an amazingly calming effect as a read-aloud.
Franklin the Turtle Books by Paulette Bourgeois—I’d love to hear from some of our American readers whether these stories are as accessible/popular in the United States as they are in Canada. But where I grew up, it’s pretty hard to imagine a childhood without Franklin! Tackling a wide range of common childhood experiences, Franklin and his woodland friends learn basic lessons about kindness, confidence, and fair play.
Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman—This beautifully-illustrated story is a lovely first introduction to historical/cultural fiction. Joseph’s world in a turn-of-the-century Jewish community is brough to life through this picturesque tale woven around a special piece of fabric—and a discovery about the healing impact of stories.
Big Sarah’s Little Boots by Paulette Bourgious—I wasn’t going to include multiple titles from the same author on this list, but Big Sarah’s Little Boots is apparently the exception. From the creators of Franklin the Turtle, the story of Sarah and her beloved boots navigates the topic of outgrowing a favourite piece of clothing in a way that’s both meaningful and fun. Kids love feeling like they’re “inside” the joke, as they realize what’s happened to Sarah’s “shrinking” boots before Sarah realizes it herself. And the conclusion does a great job of highlighting the way life brings us not only changes, but new opportunities.
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey—When Mr. and Mrs. Mallard arrive in Boston, they’re looking for the perfect place to raise a family of ducklings. What they may not be prepared for is quite how much drama eight ducklings can cause in a big city—especially when they decide to take a walk to the Public Garden.
Brambley Hedge Collection by Jill Barkley—If you love illustrations where you can look for hours without taking in all the details, then the Brambley Hedge collection is definitely for you! Following the ongoing adventures of a sophisticated community of mice, who make their home in the Brambley Hedgerow, this sweet series always reminds me of Beatrix Potter. The one aspect I don’t love is that the author has replaced a couple of “Christian” holidays/customs with nature-based alternatives. (The mice celebrate midwinter, rather than Christmas. The babies have a “naming day” ceremony rather than a traditional British christening.) However, in my opinion, the overall impact is very slight.
What Are Your Top 10 Books to Read Aloud?
That’s my list! It’s definitely not exhaustive, but I can personally vouch that all ten are quality picture books that have stood the test of time.
Your local library probably has most, if not all, of them in their system. But if they don’t, I’d definitely add that these are books that are well worth the cost of purchasing yourself.
And speaking of yourself—I’d love to hear what titles make your own top ten list! Which books are you 100% sure you’d want any child to hear before they turn six? I’d love to hear your picks in the comments section below.
Looking for more family-friendly book recs? See our previous post:
- You Are Not Alone: It’s Okay to Like Picture Books!
- You Are Not Alone: There’s Nothing Wrong with Nice Characters!