5 Beloved Books Parents Should Read To Their Kids

Inside: There will come a time when your children are too old for picture books. Now it’s time to move onto longer books and you are in for a wonderful time. These 5 beloved chapter books are sure to be a hit, because they’re timeless.

Mother reading to two children in their bedroom

Do you remember being read to as a child? I had parents and teachers who read to me regularly. What a blessing!

I remember listening enthralled as the story slowly unfolded and my imagination took flight. Then there was the agony of having to wait until the next day to find out what happened next.

I was introduced to so many wonderful characters through those books- Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Puddelglum, Aslan, and Charlotte the Spider to name just a few of my favorites.

Reading to your children is one of the easiest ways to connect with them. There is something magical about sharing a book together. Still there will come a time when your children are too old for picture books and will be starting to read by themselves.

Don’t stop reading aloud to them.
The fun is only just beginning.
It is time to move onto chapter books and you are in for a wonderful time.
And the good news is that there are many wonderful books to choose from.

Below I have listed five of my favorites. These were books that were read to me when I was a child and I, in turn, read them to my own children.

5 Beloved Books to Read With Your Kids

(Or to revisit yourself when you need a dose of magic and wonder)

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien This is the story of Bilbo Baggins who is drawn into an unexpected adventure by Gandalf the wizard and a company of dwarves. Be prepared for orcs, giant spiders, magic rings, elves, gnomes, and all manner of wild adventures. This prequel to the Lord of the Rings is a rollicking adventure that will grip you from the start.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White “Wilber, I forbid you to faint!” The delightful story of a bashful pig named Wilber and his best friend Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. Wilber is horrified when he discovers the terrible fate that awaits him once he has fattened up. Determined to save her friend Charlotte comes up with a clever plan to convince the farmer and surrounding community that Wilber should be saved. This is a story of friendship, loyalty, and the wonder to be found in ordinary things. As an added bonus Charlotte will also introduce you to some delicious sounding words.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis The story of four children who go through a wardrobe and find themselves in the magical world of Narnia. The land is under the spell of an icy witch, who has decreed it should always be winter and never Christmas. A story full of mythical creatures and talking animals, this book progresses at an exciting gallop. You can expect your children to beg for just one more chapter. If possible read the book to your children before they see the movie. Let them picture Narnia in their imagination first.
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren Tommy and his sister Annika have a new neighbor, and her name is Pippi Longstocking. She lives alone and her father is away traveling as a ship captain on the Seven Seas. She has crazy red pigtails, no adults to tell her what to do, a pet monkey, a horse that lives on the front porch, and a flair for the outrageous. This book will have you laughing and laughing.
The Story of Doctor Dollittle by Hugh Lofting A swallow arrives in Puddleby-on-the-Marsh with the terrible news that the monkeys of Africa are very sick. Only the doctor who talks with animals can save them. The good doctor sets off with his animal companions to save the day.

These are some of my favorite read aloud stories, but there are many fabulous books out there. What titles would you add to the list?

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