A few weeks ago during a soccer game, my friend asked, “What books do you suggest as good family read-alouds?”
Bless my friend, for she did not know what she was getting into when she asked this question so innocently. See, sometimes I answer questions with much animation, with many flailing hands, as if I’m hopped up on caffeine and cannot find my way to the ground. Talking about books produces such a reaction in me, even while huddled under a blanket at a soccer game.
I started giving suggestions of books our family has loved through the years. My friend started jotting notes. I got more and more excited. I kept thinking of more books. She kept jotting. I couldn’t stop, and the list grew longer and longer.
I guess this is the part where I confess that when we got home from this soccer game and Malachi asked, “Did you see me score that goal?!” I suddenly came down off my Farmer-Boy–Box-Car-Children high and had to say, “Oohh sorry, Buddy. I was talking again. But remember when we read the Little Britches series?!”
#momoftheyear
Well, he’ll score other goals and I’m likely to see them. In my defense, I have four soccer-playing sons, so no one can expect me to re-live every goal scoring moment with them, can they? And besides, I’ve read a lot of great books to them all through the years, so I haven’t failed entirely.
Books, Books, Books
Today, with the help of a friend, we have put together a most amazing list of book suggestions for you and your family. Whether your kids are babies or teenagers, we’ve got book ideas for you. Beyond that, we’ve got book suggestions for grown-ups because sometimes we all need to grab some iced tea and have some down time in the form of a delicious read.
So peruse this list. Look into these books that my friend and I love. Leave comments on this post to tell us which books YOU recommend so we can all check those out too!
While we love checking books out from the library, sometimes it’s great to own a wonderful shelf (or eight) full of books! So we’ve included the Amazon links to each of these for your convenience. Some of these are listed at great prices!
Infant/Toddler Book Suggestions
I Spy Board Books
Goodnight Moon
Runaway Bunny
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (and other books by Eric Carle)
That’s Not My…series from UsBorne (some of which are available on Amazon)
Sandra Boynton’s Greatest Hits
DK Touch and Feel Series
Pre-School Book Suggestions
Mouse Paint
Bittle
Little Pink Pup
Richard Scarry Collection
Elephant & Piggie Collection
Knuffle Bunny Series
Lego City Book Set
Lift the Flap Bible Story Books from Reader’s Digest
Little Golden Book Collection
Early Elementary Book Suggestions
There is overlap in the Pre-K and the Early Elementary list, so be sure to check both if you have kids in either of these age groups!
Kiss the Cow
The “I’m” Book Series by Kate and Jim McMullan
Mr. Putney’s Quacking Dog
Bad Case of Stripes
Uff Da!
Pinkalicious Storybook Series
Gigi Book Series
Little Bear Series
Frog and Toad Book Collection
Dr. Seuss Book Collection
Make Way for Ducklings
Madeline Book Collection
Curious George Book Collection
Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel
Click, Clack Moo Book Series
Henry and Mudge Book Series
Skippyjon Jones Book Collection
Amelia Bedelia Book Series
Fly Guy Book Series
Diary of a Worm Book Series
I Spy Books
Where’s Waldo Book Collection
Otis the Tractor Book Series
Daddy, Could I Have an Elephant
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Lego Beginning Readers
Later Elementary
Bill Peet Books
Magic Tree House Book Series
Magic School Bus Book Series
Box Car Children Book Series
Encyclopedia Brown Book Series
American Girl Book Series
Tales of Young Americans Book Series
“I Survived” Book Series
Sarah Plain and Tall Book Series
Chicken Squad Book Series
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Clyde Robert Bulla Books
Books by Andrew Clements
Middle School/High School
Books by Cynthia Voigt
Mysterious Benedict Society Book Series
Penderwicks Book Series
Storm Runners Book Series
39 Clues Book Series
Secret Cipher Book Series
LOST (involves magic and wizardry)
Anne of Green Gables Book Series
Cooper Kids Book Series
Mandie Book Series
Grandma’s Attic Book Series
Great Family Read Aloud Book Suggestions
Any of the above books are great for reading aloud as well. In addition, I’ve found that if my kids have a hard time getting into a book or a series, I start out reading it to them and they take it from there!
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Charlotte’s Web
All of a Kind Family Book Series
Little House of the Prairie Book Series
Little Britches (Ralph Moody) Book Series
Swiss Family Robinson
Chronicles of Narnia Book Series
Adult Fiction
Sherlock Holmes and the Needle’s Eye: The World’s Greatest Detective Tackles the Bible’s Ultimate Mysteries
My friend Kim’s review: What if Sherlock Holmes was called in to solve some of the mysteries of the Bible? IN this book, he answers ten different questions from the Bible. Even if I did not agree with his answers, I found the writing well done and, more importantly, I found myself searching the Scriptures to find evidence that supported or conflicted with his answers.
Forevermore by Cathy Marie Hake
Kim’s review: Even though this book is part of a series, you can jump right into this one without reading the others. The main character in this book, Hope, will have you laughing and rolling your eyes at the nonsensical truisms she dispenses. Heartwarming and kind, this book is a feel-good book. (PS- The rest of the series is good, too, but this one is my favorite.)
The Cat Who Book Series by Lillian Jackson Braun
Amelia Peabody Book Series by Elizabeth Peters
Mrs. Pollifax Book Series by Dorothy Gilman
This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti
Kim’s review: This series challenged my thinking on the power of prayer and the unseen world of angels and demons.
Overton Window and Agenda 21 by Glenn Beck
The Illuminati by Larry Burkett
Restoration Book Series by Terri Blackstock
Kim’s review: What if something happened and suddenly there was no electricity, no running water, no cars, no cell phones (or landlines), no computers, no electronics of any kind? What if banks shut down, the post office did not work and there was no more McDonalds or WalMart? Big life changes for many… Where would God be in all this?
Adult Non-Fiction
Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson
Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson
Dare to Discipline by James Dobson
Parenting by the Book by John Rosemond
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover (or take Financial Peace University)
Your Turn!
Leave comments letting us know what books you love and recommend!
Some of these links are my affiliate links.