8 Enjoyable Family Read-Aloud Books

Reading chapter books with my boys is one of my favorite ways to connect with them. We’ve been doing it on the weekends and in the summers since Grant was about five or six years old. I’ll read to them before rest time and Brent reads to them before bed. It’s rarely a full chapter but we read a little and discuss. It’s so fun to experience the adventures with them.

Here are some books we’d recommend.

Magic Treehouse – Dinosaurs Before Dark (#1 in series)

This is a super popular series about a brother and sister, Jack and Annie, who have all kinds of adventures as they travel through history. The recommended age is 6-9. There are about a bazillion of these books (54 at last count) so if your kids like them there will be plenty to keep them entertained for a while.

The Boxcar Children (#1 in series)

I know this cover looks a little scary, the recommended age is 7-10 years old. The main characters are a family of four children who are orphaned. They encounter mysteries in which they work to find solutions. There are also a ton of books in this series (like 150!). I remember my 2nd-grade teacher reading this to our class. A memorable scene is when the kids pick fresh blueberries and eat them with cream. It’s such a charming book with relatable characters who work hard and share a deep love for one another.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

A sweet boy, a golden ticket, and a factory that makes chocolate; such an imaginative story. I feel like Roald Dahl really understands children and writes in a way that pulls them in completely. We watched the original film adaptation after we finished the book. An easy pick for family movie night!

Toys Go Out (#1 in series)

This is a book about toys that come to life after bedtime. We loved it so much. We anticipated each chapter, we laughed out loud, and the characters found a very special place in our hearts. If you like this book be sure to check out the second and third books in the trilogy.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Oh crazy Mr. Popper and all his penguins! We enjoyed the antics that come by living with penguins. So much silliness! An interesting fact is that the author suffered a stroke before finishing this book. His wife finished it up for him. The movie version is also good although a very loose adaption of the book.

James and the Giant Peach (Scented Peach Edition)

A boy who is in a horrible living situation with his aunts discovers new friends and trials all from within a peach. Again, Roald Dahl’s imagination is fascinating and relatable for kids. How cool that this edition smells like peaches!

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell (#1 in series)

A sister and brother team that face obstacles in real life and in a fairy tale land. It takes the old classic fairy tales and puts modern twists on the characters and reveals some new backstories. We’ve liked this book so much we’re now on book #2, The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns. The age range is from 8-12 years old. Be aware that some adult-ish topics will arise and a few cuss words will be found throughout.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

A heartwarming story of a family of six misfit children who star in a church Christmas Pageant. Since the children didn’t grow up in church they have little knowledge about Jesus and his birth. They bring a fresh take to the stage one which helps everyone see the story anew.

I would love to read Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables but I can’t get my boys interested.

Read Aloud Revival has a quiz you can take to find out what your next read aloud should be.

What books have you enjoyed with your kids?

If you purchase from a link on this blog a small percentage of the sale may come back to me. You are never charged more for the product. It’s a way to keep this site going and I’m very selective about the things I list. It’s mostly things we already own and love or things I think you would enjoy. Thank you for reading!