Category: Read-Aloud

These books are great to read aloud to a younger reader, and is an especially fun time for grandparents. It’s never too early to start!

Published: 2007
Theme: Contentment
Best for: 5 to 8

“After drying her eyes on a leafkerchief, Rani kicked off her sensible walking shoes and slipped into the lagoon. of all the fairies, Rani was the only one who could swim, and that was because she had no wings to drag her under.” A true fairy tale about fairies, by a great children’s author, alas, co-opted by Disney, which means dreadful illustrations, but the story and writing are excellent.

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, Illustrated Books, Read-Aloud

Published: 1963
Theme: Diversity is Good
Best for: 5 to 8

“All the other Tatrajanni …had glittering white hair like snow crystals, and the eyes of every one of them, without exception, were the color of light shining through ice: a cool greenish hue.” This book steps out of the mold of Enright’s other books. It is pure fantasy, with an imaginary land, animals, and people…

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Classics, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 1992
Theme: Equality in Relationships
Best for: 5 and up

“You will become ruler when I die,” the old king said, “for that is the ancient law that cannot be changed. But you will not wear my crown until the day you marry a woman who is your equal in beauty and intelligence and wealth.” This story has all the classical elements of a great fairy tale: an impoverished girl, tending her goats, who outsmarts a conceited prince, and in the end, rules happily ever after.

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, Illustrated Books, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 2013
Theme: Baseball
Best for: 5 to 8

“Marty got her love of baseball from her Great Grandma Martha (Gigi), who loved baseball more than anything. Gigi followed the game faithfully and even kept her own scorebook. She taught Marty everything she knew.” This children’s book is all heart, even as it goes about its mission of explaining the rules of baseball to young boys and girls…

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, Illustrated Books, Read-Aloud

Published: 1992
Theme: Folk Tale
Best for: 5 to 8

“Rich you will surely be,” answered the fortune-teller, staring into the crystal ball on the table. “On one condition: that you earn large sums of money.” In this beautifully illustrated children’s book, we laugh aloud as a naive man becomes a fortune teller. The illustrations of Africa are superb.

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, Illustrated Books, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 1942
Theme: Imagination
Best for: 5 to 8

“Why not use what you already have: your own i-ma-gi-na-tion? It can do any kind of magic – anywhere-at any time. All you have to do is use it.” From the very opening, where the author kindly addresses the reader, I knew I was in the hands of a master writer…

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Classics, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 1997
Theme: Imagination
Best for: 5 to 8

“Wolfgang Amadeus Mouse was the youngest of thirteen children. He was also the smallest. His mother had given the other twelve mouse pups quite ordinary names, like Bill or Jane.” A talented singing mouse is the hero of this small children’s book, written by the author of Babe. It’s a nice read-aloud book for young children..

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 2014
Theme: Bravery
Best for: 6 to 10

“Before they took off, Emma quickly wrote a note to her parents: “Don’t worry. I’m off with a pretty big genie to find his nose ring. And I have Tristan with me…” The “pretty big” was of course an exaggeration…” In this small children’s book, Emma helps a genie regain his power. Great for young readers who are ready for easy chapter books, or as a read-aloud.

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Ages 9-12, Contemporary, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 2011
Theme: Value Yourself
Best for: 5 and up

“The horse already had a question prepared. He shuffled his feet on the ground and said, ‘What is the reason I was made a horse and not some other animal?” The light said, ‘Because we needed another horse.” In this exquisitely painted and carefully crafted children’s book, the essential question of life is asked and answered.

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, Illustrated Books, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 1948, republished 1998
Theme: Imagination, Kindness
Best for: 5 to 8

“He’s got a long tail and yellow and blue stripes. His horn and eyes and the bottoms of his feet are bright red, and he has gold-colored wings.” This children’s book is all about imagination, with a capital I. Just trying to picture the vividly-colored dragon takes all of my imaginative skills! There’s nothing scary about this book…

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Classics, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 1958
Theme: Early Reader
Best for: 5 to 8

“If you can count,” said the big, hungry alligator, “maybe you will count my teeth. I have always wanted someone to count my teeth. I will open my mouth wide. Then you two can get in and count all my teeth. All the way to the back of my mouth.” In this easy reader, a young girl has the ideal way to deal with her two young cousins who are pinching, and fighting, and biting. Tell a tale about crocodiles…

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Classics, First Chapter Book, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 1961
Theme: Early Reader Book
Best for: 5 to 8

“One spring day, when Mother Bear was little, she found a baby robin in the garden. A baby robin, too little to fly. “Oh how sweet you are,” she said, “Where did you come from?” “From my nest,” said the robin…” When a child can pick up a children’s book and read it on their own, it’s as big as learning to ride a bike. The “I Can Read” series is perfect for new readers…

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Classics, First Chapter Book, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 1998
Theme: Peace at all costs
Best for: 9 and up

“There they go,” a voice said. “There go the cowards.” Samuel Russsell clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white but he did not look around…”Cowards”, that was what many people called him and his father and all his people.” This very informed historical fiction children’s book depicts an actual event involving the Quakers in New York State, and their encounter with French Canadian Indians, told through the eyes of two young boys.

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Posted in Ages 9-12, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 1911
Theme: Animal Myths
Best for: 3 to 5

“Danny Meadow Mouse sat in his doorway and looked down the Lone Little Path across the Green Meadows. Way, way over near the Smiling Pool he could see Old Mother West Wind’s Children, the Merry Little Breezes, at play.” Here’s a must-have children’s book for Waldorf parents of young children (3 to 5). Perfect short bed-time stories, this classic collection unfolds little stories about why the mouse has a short tale, or why the chipmunk has pockets in his cheeks…

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Classics, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 1996
Theme: Express Yourself
Best for: 8 and up

“But who says that d-o-g means the thing that goes ‘woof’ and wags its tail? Who says so?” And Mrs. Granger took the bait. “Who says dog means dog? You do, Nicholas. You and I and everyone in this class and this school and this town and this state and this country. We all agree.” Thumbs up to this fast-moving, easy reading children’s book that is sure to delight parents, teachers, and hopefully kids, about language, education, and self-confidence.

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Ages 9-12, Contemporary, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 2012
Theme: Death of a grandparent
Best for: 6 to 9

“I sleep with Lucy [the dog] in Billy’s bed because I promised. She sleeps next to me, sometimes lifting her head to peer at me as if to say ‘You’re not the one I love. You’re all right. But not the one I love.'” In Kindred Souls, once again MacLachlan addresses the journey of a young child dealing with the death of an elder, offering humor and compassion..

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 2011
Theme: Growing up
Best for: 7 – 9

“After her very important call my mom sat on the couch with me and read five whole chapters of a book to me… And when we got to the happy ending, my mom’s eyes got red…My mom always cries at happy endings.” Here’s one of the absolute best early readers/ first chapter books I’ve come across. The writing is simple, laid out with only a few words on a line for ease of reading…

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, First Chapter Book, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 2014
Theme: First Chapter Book
Best for: 5 to 8

“Being an explorer’s assistant is hard work,” said Harold. “Being an explorer is even harder!” said Pigsticks. Harold wasn’t convinced. He hadn’t realized that The Ends of the Earth would be so far away.” Interspersed with delightful illustrations, filled with humor and jokes, this is a fabulous first chapter book…

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, First Chapter Book, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 2014
Theme: Standing up for others
Best for: 6 to 10

“Our Pentagon is a surprise my dad and I are building to celebrate the new baby coming. Our Pentagon is a table, one that will be just right for our new family because it has five sides, one for everybody.” There’s a nice mix of humor, emotions, and easy reading that makes this a very attractive book for young children.

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Ages 9-12, Contemporary, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 2014
Theme: Friendship, First Chapter Book
Best for: 5 to 8

“Under the kitchen sink, where the beetles live, there is an art studio just for Marvin. James gives him paper and ink. He can draw and draw. Marvin loves making pictures. But today he just doesn’t feel like it.” This children’s book succeeds on several counts – imagination (the world as seen by beetles), clear simple writing, and a single message: friendship.

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Appeals to Boys, Contemporary, First Chapter Book, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 2000
Theme: Death and Life
Best for: 9 and up

“Josie often thought of Sanders and then she grieved. But she had never put that grief in the wardrobe…Her memories of Sanders would be the poorer without grief.” This entire book is very much like a dream – hauntingly, melodically beautiful, a long poetic piece of prose about life and death, immortality and love, grief and happiness.

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Posted in Ages 9-12, Contemporary, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 2006
Theme: Love and Loss of Grandparents
Best for: 6 to 9

“‘He can only speak French in my journal,’, I said. ‘I suppose that’s what writing is for,’ said Grandfather. ‘To change life and make it come out the way you want it to.'” This children’s book addresses something so precious – preparing a child for the death of the grandparent. I cry just writing those words. Yet there is nothing maudlin or sad about this children’s book. It is exquisite.

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 1985 – 2006
Theme: Family life on the Plains
Best for: 5 – 8

“Sarah loved the chickens. She clucked back to them and fed them grain. They followed her, shuffling and scratching primly in the dirt. I knew they would not be for eating.” What captured me in each children’s book of this collection was the emphasis on the emotions and feelings of the people. We live through the eyes of each child in turn…

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 2006
Theme: New Baby
Best for: 7- 9

“What if Mama is too old to have this baby? What if this terrible baby makes Mama die like Caleb’s mama died when he was born? I closed the journal as if shutting away the words would make them go away.” The very real fears and emotions of the youngest child towards a new baby are presented with care in book 4 of Sarah, Plain and Tall.

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 1994
Theme: Family Life on the Prairie
Best for: 6 – 8

“Sarah and I sat in the kitchen. The air was thick with the heat, and there was no breeze. There hadn’t been any wind for days. Sarah was writing a letter to the aunts in Maine. I wrote in my journal.” In the second of Sarah, Plain and Tall, the family must deal with a serious drought, and separation from each other and the land.

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned

Published: 2013
Theme: Family Love
Best for: 6 to 9

“We all have our truths, Kidd,” says Henry. “Some are big truths. Most times they’re small truths. But those stories are Maddy’s truths. Your parents have different ones of their own.” This is an exquisite children’s book, written for the ‘early reader’ level. It is heartfelt, honest, and funny, all at once.

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Posted in Ages 5-8, Contemporary, Read-Aloud, Waldorf-Aligned