by David Richardson and Susan Dove Lempke
Reading aloud allows children to explore many dimensions of the written word and develops their “inner voice.” Few other activities have such a great influence on academic success while fostering a child’s emotional and social well-being. And, it’s loads of fun.
It’s understandable then that when librarian Susan Dove Lempke and bookstore manager David Richardson were asked to give their choices for great read-alouds, they were thrilled to share the books that they’d found successful. Try these suggestions with your children. Build their knowledge. Nurture their spirits. And have fun.
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big by Berkley Breathed (Little Brown, 2005, US$6.99 paperback, ages 6 and up). Berkley Breathed’s comical illustrations add to the fun of this entertaining yarn about a lie that goes horribly wrong. When big brother Edwurd fibs and says aliens broke his mother’s ceramic pig, one alien takes offense and things get so bad that it takes his little sister and the truth to set things straight. Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big is as fun to read aloud as it is to listen to. A word of advice: Practice this one beforehand or you could find yourself tongue-tied!
Parts by Tedd Arnold (Puffin, 2000, US$5.99 paperback, ages 4 and up). No one creates a more enjoyable story than Tedd Arnold, and Parts is one of his best. A simple story of a young boy who believes he is coming apart turns into hilarity for listeners when they find out why he believes this.
Time Stops for No Mouse by Michael Hoeye (Speak, 2003, US$7.99 paperback, ages 10 and up). Michael Hoeye creates an imaginative story about a watchmaker mouse, his pet ladybug, and a beautiful, adventurous aviatrix who stumble upon a mystery. What makes Times Stops for No Mouse the perfect read-aloud is its short chapters (often 2–3 pages long) and cliffhanger endings. Because of this, the story can be used to fill those last five minutes of class or start the class without taking too much time.
Old Turtle by Douglas Wood, illustrated by Cheng-Khee Chee (Scholastic, 2001, US$17.99 ages 8 and up). Old Turtle is a timeless tale of peace and understanding. While there are religious aspects to the story, the main ideas involve the acceptance of all religions and living together in harmony. Using the rhythm and language of storytellers, Douglas Wood makes reading this book aloud a true pleasure.
Too Much Noise by Ann McGovern (Houghton Mifflin, 1992, US$6.95 paperback, ages 3–10). Ann McGovern’s tale of a farmer who believes his house is too noisy to sleep in makes a truly enjoyable, interactive story for kids. When a farmer seeks the advice of a wise man about the noise, he is told to bring a cow into his house (and a sheep, a dog, a cat, and many more). As each animal becomes part of the menagerie, listeners can be prompted to join the fun by making the animal sounds.
The Green Book by Jill Paton Walsh (Sunburst, 1986, US$4.95, ages 10 and up). This brief novel about a young girl and her father who must leave Earth for another planet is sure to make listeners sit on the edge of their seats. While the new world is not threatening, it certainly isn’t what anyone expected. And the people soon learn that much of what they planned for and brought with them has no purpose in their new home, including their books.
Say What? by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Aladdin, 2005, US$3.99, ages 8–12). When their parents begin speaking strangely, siblings Sukie, Reed, and Brian decide to investigate. What they discover is their parents are using a “new age” form of discipline on them. The kids decide to turn the tables, and that’s when the story goes haywire! Filled with amusing twists and clever comebacks, Say What? makes for an entertaining read-aloud for all ages.
David L. Richardson, a former junior high school language arts teacher, is a freelance writer based in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
When a Monster Is Born by Sean Taylor (Roaring Brook, 2007, US$16.95, ages 5–8). In this circular picture book the end loops back around to the beginning, but at every step of the way “there are two possibilities” where the story could turn in one direction, or another. The quickly visible pattern of the text makes this a very interactive book with a group, who will also enjoy Nick Sharratt’s comical pictures.
Toys Go Out: Being the Adventures of a Knowledgeable Stingray, a Toughy Little Buffalo, and Someone Called Plastic by Emily Jenkins (Schwartz & Wade, 2006, US$16.95, ages 7–10). Jenkins’s droll chapter book tells about the adventures of three toys, with lots of dialog and cues for how to say things. The three distinct personalities and the mystery of what exactly Plastic is keep the audience listening closely and laughing frequently.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald (HarperCollins, 1947, US$15.99, ages 7–10). Yes, it’s a bit old-fashioned, where mothers all stay home and fathers all go off to work, but child-loving and ingenious Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle remains very entertaining. As she devises in her upside-down house clever solutions for the desperate parents of amusingly naughty children such as the Answer-Backer cure, children will recognize themselves but will wish they had a Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle of their own living in their neighborhood.
Jack Plank Tells Tales by Natalie Babbitt (Scholastic/Michael di Capua Books, 2007, US$15.95, ages 8–12). Retired pirate Jack Plank regales the people at his boarding house with his mysterious stories of life at sea, including a mummy’s hand (or is it?), a mermaid’s comb, and a pirate who loves his beard so much that he won’t even cut it off when a crab gets tangled in it. The combination of Babbitt’s always-rich language and the thought-provoking stories make this a great choice for audiences who are already accustomed to listening.
Redwall by Brian Jacques (Philomel, 1987, US$23.99, ages 9–12). Its length may preclude teachers from reading the whole book aloud, but by reading at least the first few chapters, adventure lovers will discover a very long series to keep them busy reading on their own. Since Jacques originally wrote this for blind children, the language is very vivid with lots of action.
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket (HarperCollins, 1999, US$12.99, ages 9–14). With its wordplay and tongue-in-cheek manner, Snicket’s first book in the 13-book series makes a fine choice for reading aloud. For children who tend to read books very literally, hearing it read helps them catch the tone and not take the very unfortunate events seriously.
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (HarperCollins, 1953, US$16.99, ages 8–11). I think boys never get a chance to read this book because its image is very girly. Yet this book has a masculine father figure who builds things and goes hunting regularly, and the girl main character lives a life of adventure and drama. One particularly spooky scene has wolves howling outside the family’s cabin. Teachers can use the misperceptions of Laura’s Ma about the Indians as a talking point for enlightening students about Native Americans, but with that caveat, this is one of the most gripping read-alouds around.
Susan Dove Lempke is head of the Children’s Department at the Niles Public Library District in Illinois and a reviewer for The Horn Book Magazine.
Loud and clear. (August 2007). Reading Today, 25(1), 27.
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