Reading aloud to our kindergartners is still important, even as they get ready to read on their own. So here are some of the best read aloud books for kindergartners that you can enjoy together.
Thump! The backpack hit the hall floor with a bang as she headed to the table without a backward glance. My oldest, 5 years old at the time, loved nothing more than a good snack after a tiring day in kindergarten. Her little brother, whose preschool class was right next door, felt the same.
As they munched on grapes and cheese sticks, I went through their bags, looking for any notices or drawings. I pulled out a paper from hers that had me sitting down hard.
It was a letter from the teacher asking that all parents read with their kids for 30 minutes a night and fill out a reading log. Uh-oh. 30 minutes? Really?
Don’t get me wrong, I loved reading to my kids, but with an active 2-year-old and a newborn keeping me busy, I was lucky to sit down for 5 minutes, let alone 30.
Making the time to read aloud
But somehow we did it. Every night. My husband juggled the kids while she and I curled up on the couch and worked our way through simple chapter books, like Junie B. Jones, and through more involved books, like Charlotte’s Web.
Looking back, I believe that that note from a kindergarten teacher changed the course of my daughter’s life – and taught me something important, too. Because she is now a very prolific reader, with excellent reading comprehension. She loves books, and I credit those nights back when books were just starting to get really interesting for her.
However you can manage it, read aloud to your kindergartner. They want you to and they need you to. Even 10 minutes a night is better than nothing. Open their minds and their imaginations to new worlds – ones they’re not yet ready to enter alone, but which they can still enjoy with you.
This list is to help parents who are looking for good read aloud books for kindergartners. But I also encourage you to check out Read Aloud Revival for more great choices, and even see what your local librarian suggests. I’ve gotten some great ideas from them myself.
It may be a challenge to get a 5 or 6-year-old to sit down with a book, but be consistent and persistent. It will pay off in the end – for both of you.
Best Read Aloud Books for Kindergartners
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Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault
This is a great book for beginning readers who are just getting their legs. The rhythmic style of the story, about lowercase letters hurrying to the top of a coconut tree, makes the book fun for adults and children. Your kindergartner will quickly pick up the story and will soon be reading it to you.
Frog and Toad series
Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel
There are a number of books in this series, but Frog and Toad are Friends is the best place to start. It’s a great story about friendship and simple enough that, over time, your kindergartner will be able to read it themselves. And later, enjoy the whole series on their own.
Elephant and Piggie series
Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems
This is the complete collection of these adorable and funny books. Simple dialogue and illustrations make this another great transition series as your kindergartner begins reading to you at story time.
A Bear Called Paddington
A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
This classic story of a stuffed bear and his fun misadventures has been a favorite for decades. This is a great book to enjoy together. A kindergartner can follow the story, even though it may be a few years before they can read it themselves. That’s the best part of read aloud time – you are your child’s conduit to other worlds.
Junie B. Jones series
Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park
This series follows an incorrigible and opinionated Junie B. from kindergarten to first grade. It’s very relatable and well-liked by kids this age. However, even though I read them to my girls, I edited some of the dialogue because we try not to use words like “stupid” and such. Otherwise, it’s a fun and silly read, and a good transition for when they’re ready for easy chapter books.
Stuck
Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
A boy gets his kite stuck in a tree. He throws his shoe at it, which also gets stuck. So does the other one. What else can he throw, he wonders… This picture book is another early kindergarten favorite that can start with you reading it to your child and end with your child reading it to you.
Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
This classic about Wilbur the pig, a little girl named Fern who saves his bacon (literally), and all the animals living in Zuckerman’s barn is such a wonderful read aloud for kindergartners. This age is fascinated by animals, and the stories of their farm life and relationships is fun and interesting. It may be challenging, especially as it’s more involved than others on this list, but don’t sell your kids short. You might be surprised by their interest in this story. Plus, the animated movie is great to watch after you’ve finished the book!
Gooseberry Park
Gooseberry Park and Gooseberry Park and the Master Plan by Cynthia Rylant
The location of this story, Gooseberry Park, is an intriguing place full of various animals and their oversized personalities. I discovered these books when my children’s elementary school did a school-wide reading of Gooseberry Park and the Master Plan, grades K-5. I loved reading it as much as they did and I think your kindergartner will, too. The stories also carry a solid moral theme that was a plus.
Honorable mention: Poppleton in Winter or any of the books in the Poppleton series by Cynthia Rylant. These fun stories about Poppleton the pig and his friends are easy to read, will make your child laugh, and have a rhythmic quality that make them a great place to start when your child is ready to read on their own.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
This is another great read aloud for kindergartners. Follow curious mouse Ralph as he has a series of (mis)adventures on a toy motorcycle. This is particularly loved by little boys who can relate to the main characters, but it’s a fun classic for all 5 and 6-year-olds who like adventure.
My Father’s Dragon
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Did you read this one as a child? I know I did. The entire trilogy is exciting and fun, and reading it to your kindergartner will give you both a thrill. This is the first in the series about Elmer Elevator, who goes on a hero’s journey to free an enslaved dragon. In a couple of years, your kids may be reading this one on their own, but for now, you can open their world to the jungles of Wild Island.
Read aloud books for kindergartners can be easy or challenging. They can be the fodder for your beginning readers or a chance for them to just sit back and enjoy. But whichever type of book you choose, just make sure you read. Your child is at the age when the world is growing larger, and books are the passport to all those faraway places. And you can take the trip with them.
Happy Reading!
Did I miss any of your children’s favorite read aloud books for kindergartners? I’d love for you to add to the list so leave a comment below!
More book lists for young readers:
- The Best Books for Your Beginning Reader
- 10 Best Book Series for 2nd Grade Boys
- 10 Best Book Series for 2nd Grade Girls
- The Best Books for 4th Grade Girls
- 10 Best Books for 3rd Grade Boys
Looking for more suggestions and ways to encourage your child to read? Check out these posts:
How to Inspire Curiosity, Creativity, and a Love of Reading in Your Children
How to Create a Reading Area in Your Home
[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links. So, if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]
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