The 10 Most Amazing Read Aloud Picture Books for Kids!

With 11 children between our two families and having read in more than 50 elementary school classrooms and dozens of those with regularity—here is the list of the very best read aloud picture books!

Read aloud books for classrooms or just your own darling kiddos need to capture imagination and have either a terrific cadence or fun little hook that pulls in the kids. It was excruciating to narrow this list down, because we LOVE so many children’s books, but here are some proven winners that always pull in the eyes, hearts, and the imagination of children.

- Dr. Seuss—of course! There is a reason Dr. Seuss has incredible staying power over the years. He was a master of rhyme and limerick. His imagination is legendary. Plus his simple, yet wild doodles are mind expanding and gravity defying! We have read Dr. Seuss in preschools, as well as Kindergarten through 6th grade classes and these are his books that are perfect read aloud stories:
  1. “Sneetches and Other Stories“ (In this book EVERY story is a delight to read out loud! “What was I scared Of?” at the back of the book is especially quirky and fun–kids love it, but I LOVE to read “The Zax,” “Too Many Daves” and “The Sneetches” of course!) This one is a MUST for a library and an easy way to capture kid’s attention.
  2. “Yertle the Turtle & Other Stories“ This book also captivates the kids from the first minute! My favorite is “Gertrude McFuzz” read animatedly with a fun voice for the uncle doctor as well, but “Yertle the Turtle” and the “The Big Brag” are all amazing read aloud books.
  3. “Oh the Places You’ll Go” This is of course a fun gift for a graduate from apparently any degree from Kindergarten to Doctorate, but also makes a super fun read aloud to your children or an entire classroom. Like all Dr. Suess books it brings up relatable difficulties and dilemmas, but shows perseverance is key to moving forward in life. Amen, Dr. Seuss! Thank you for saying it so well and with a rhyme! We also love “The Lorax“, “Thidwick“, and the “Horton” books as well. Each of those books tends to be 25-30 minutes to read aloud, so we usually save those for a second reading time for a class. However you can read them anytime for your own kids! If you have never read “Daisy Head Maisy“…it is also fun! We read Dr. Seuss to all elementary school ages.

Mo Willems. This talented author & illustrator also gets his own category. His books are silly, hilarious and kids love them! Here are a few of our favorites.
1. “Nanette’s Baguette” Who knew so many words rhyme with Baguette? Who hasn’t occasionally wanted to escape on a jet to Tibet? Such an adorable book that teaches forgiveness, empathy, and to not take ourselves too seriously!
2. “That is Not a Good Idea” Kids LOVE this book, the building anticipation, the apparent danger and the fun twist! This book teaches irony at a first grade level!
3. “Because” by Mo Willems illustrated by Amber Ren. This book is not funny nor silly like many of Willem’s books, but it is powerful and inspiring. It is beautiful and so worthwhile. Every music teacher needs to read this to their class at the beginning of each year. Every parent whose child is venturing into learning a new musical instrument should also share this read. We could go on and on about Knuffle Bunny (there are 3) and other books, but we will let you explore the charm of Mo Willems. While these books are intended for younger readers, we have found they captivate the older elementary school readers too.
The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman Illustrated by Marla Frazee. This book is chock-full of home appeal. The illustrations are beautifully chaotic, just like life, and the rhyme of the story delights kids. The story centers on a growing family and the pickiness of children when it comes to food. Watch how combining their messy and imperfect efforts results in something special in the end. I’ve read this countless times and it’s always a hit among all elementary school ages.
Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer. Olivia the pig is such a great character! She is full of spunk and relatable to K-4th grade. Falconer does a great job capturing the ridiculous and fun with his illustrations, even with a 4 page spread in the middle. They always pull a chuckle from kids and me! There are other Olivia books, each of them sure to make you smile!
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney. This book is one of my favorites. Alice makes a promise to make the world more beautiful and I love how we learn with her through the pages of this book. This book is captivating in the alluring story, there is not rhyme or humor, but wonder and beauty. It makes a wonderful read aloud as well as a great conversation starter when it’s over. What will you do to make the world better? This book is for all elementary school ages.
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. This is a quick trip on the bus with a boy and his grandmother to the last stop on Market Street. It is an eye-opening glimpse into the beauty the world holds all around us, even on a city bus. This is for all elementary school ages.
The Sweetest Fig by Chris Van Allsberg. This book is definitely for 4th grade and up as kiddos will grapple with the unkindness of the main character and magnificent plot twist. From the creator of the book Jumanji, The Polar Express and countless others! The illustrations in Van Allsberg’s books are amazing, and obviously he can tell a story! There is always an audible gasp from the class when you read this one out loud! (And the Z was Zapped is one of my very favorite ABC books.)
Don’t Blink by Tom Booth. This is a fun and interactive book that can be a bedtime read for your kiddo, but a fun one for classes too! Just remember–Don’t Blink! This is intended for a younger crowd like 2nd grade and under, but we know that 5th and 6th graders also become engaged in the fun.
Chicks and Salsa by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Paulette Bogan. This is just a fun read aloud! Kids love to shout Olé- and they know from the book’s pattern it’s coming. It’s a fun little jaunt into the farmyard where the chickens and rooster get a hankering for Mexican food and the silly mischief that ensues. Your kids will love it and classrooms love it too! This can be read to all ages in elementary school. Olé.
Cloud Country by Bonny Becker and illustrated by Noah Klocek. This book is what dreamy picture books should aspire to be. It has majestic and imaginative illustrations and a wonderful story about finding what you are good at and having the persistence and courage to do it. It can be for young readers of course, but we have found it appeals to all ages.

I really want to make a mile long list of honorable mentions because there are hundreds of picture books that are amazing and wonderful to read. However, after reading numerous times to kiddos, these are the ones I go back to for my first-day-in-front-of-the-class reads that I know widely appeal to kids and teachers. Plus they are books that I have on my shelf to read at any time to kids who come by. Enjoy expanding your library. I love a good book! 🙂 If you want to read more about the what reading can do for your kiddos, check this one out!

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