Lauren's List: First Chapter Book Read-Alouds

Some of my family's very favorite short chapter books for making the transition from reading picture books to your littles, or starting a new family read-aloud habit with kids who can already read. What would you add? (I couldn't find our copy of The Bears on Hemlock Mountain, so that's what I'd add!)

The list:

My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett

This could be good for a 3-4 year old as well! Fun story, a few sequels, and short chapters make this great.

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me; Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me is friendly to small kids, and Fantastic Mr. Fox has been a great addition in our all boy household.

Grimm's Fairy Tales translated by E.V. Lucas, Lucy Crane, and Marian Edwards

Weird but wonderful! Some are very short; some longer so you can fit them into whatever time window you have. Might be harder to find, but this one is big in my house, as it is symbolically rich and points often to the greater Gospel story.

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

Very cute and a little longer.

The Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson

Great for a mixture of ages! A great follow up to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Homer Price by Robert McCloskey

This is great for 2nd grade and up. Set in the 1940's so may be a little harder to understand. If your child likes Charlotte's Web, they'll love this!

Bonus! Here's what I'm reading to my boys now:

Chinese Fairy Tales and Legends by Richard Wilhelm and Frederick H. Martens

This has been a fun addition and a great read along with Grimm's Fairy Tales.

And what I'm hoping to read to them next:

The 101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith

Dodie Smith is an amazing writer, can't wait to read this to the boys!

What are some chapter books your family has liked? What are some you're looking into? We'd love to hear from you on Instagram @justinwhitmelearley or @laurenmakeslists.

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