Reading aloud to children is one of the best ways to instill a love for books and storytelling. It helps improve language and literacy skills, stimulates imagination and curiosity, and creates a bond between the reader and listener. In this blog, we’ll share 30 of the best read alouds for kindergarten that are sure to captivate young minds and inspire a love for reading.
30 Best Read Alouds For Kindergarten
- “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak
- “Corduroy” by Don Freeman
- “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss
- “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss
- “Curious George” by H.A. Rey
- “Caps for Sale” by Esphyr Slobodkina
- “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle
- “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss
- “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein
- “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” by Judith Viorst
- “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg
- “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams
- “Frog and Toad Are Friends” by Arnold Lobel
- “Stellaluna” by Janell Cannon
- “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt
- “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” by Jon Scieszka
- “National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Animals” by Catherine D. Hughes
- “The Story of the Blue Planet” by Andri Snaer Magnason
- “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper
- “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats
- “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña
- “Hair Love” by Matthew A. Cherry
- “All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold
- “The Book with No Pictures” by B.J. Novak
- “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff
- “The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister
- “How to Be a Friend” by Laurie Krasny Brown
- “A Sick Day for Amos McGee” by Philip C. Stead
- “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn
- “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” by Mo Willems
| Also read: Kindergarten Graduation Songs |
The 29+ More Best Read Alouds for Kindergarten
Classic Stories
- “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss – This classic story is fun and easy to read, with a mischievous cat that will leave children laughing.
- “Curious George” by H.A. Rey – Follow the adventures of a curious monkey as he explores the world around him.
- “Corduroy” by Don Freeman – This heartwarming story follows a teddy bear on his quest to find his missing button.
- “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak – Join Max on his journey to a land of wild creatures and imagination.
Educational Stories
- “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle – Follow the journey of a caterpillar as he transforms into a beautiful butterfly, while learning counting, days of the week, and healthy eating habits.
- “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein – This touching story teaches the importance of kindness, generosity, and gratitude.
- “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss – A motivating and inspiring story that encourages children to follow their dreams and explore the world.
- “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss – This funny and rhyming story teaches children to try new things and not be afraid of the unfamiliar.
Animal Stories
- “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter – Join Peter on his mischievous adventures in Mr. McGregor’s garden.
- “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis – A magical story of a group of children who journey to Narnia and encounter talking animals and mythical creatures.
- “The Berenstain Bears” by Stan and Jan Berenstain – Follow the bear family on their everyday adventures and learn important lessons about family, friendship, and kindness.
- “Winnie-the-Pooh” by A.A. Milne – A charming tale of a silly old bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.
Fantasy and Adventure Stories
- “The Magic School Bus” by Joanna Cole – Join Ms. Frizzle and her class on their wild adventures through the human body, space, and more.
- “The BFG” by Roald Dahl – Follow the adventures of a friendly giant and a young girl as they try to stop the other giants from eating children.
- “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling – A magical story of a young wizard who discovers his true identity and battles the forces of evil.
- “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien – Join Bilbo Baggins on his epic quest to reclaim the dwarves’ treasure from the dragon Smaug.
Science and Nature Stories
- “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss – A cautionary tale about the importance of protecting the environment and the consequences of greed and pollution.
- “The Magic School Bus Inside the Earth” by Joanna Cole – Learn about the layers of the earth and geological formations in this exciting adventure with Ms. Frizzle and her class.
- “National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Animals” by Catherine D. Hughes –
Science and Nature Stories (contd.)
- “National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Animals” by Catherine D. Hughes – This colorful book is filled with stunning photographs and fun facts about animals from around the world.
- “The Story of the Blue Planet” by Andri Snaer Magnason – This eco-conscious story tells the tale of a planet where all creatures live in harmony, until they discover a new visitor – humans.
Diversity and Inclusion Stories
- “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats – Join Peter as he explores a snowy wonderland in this simple yet profound story about the joys of childhood.
- “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña – A heartwarming story about a boy and his grandmother’s journey on a bus ride that teaches them both important life lessons.
- “Hair Love” by Matthew A. Cherry – This sweet and relatable story follows a young girl and her father as they learn to embrace and love her natural hair.
- “All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold – This book celebrates diversity and inclusion, and encourages children to embrace different cultures and perspectives.
Friendship and Empathy Stories
- “The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister – This visually stunning book teaches the importance of sharing and generosity through the story of a beautiful fish who learns to be less selfish.
- “How to Be a Friend” by Laurie Krasny Brown – A helpful guide for children on how to make and be a good friend, with practical tips and relatable examples.
- “A Sick Day for Amos McGee” by Philip C. Stead – This heartwarming story tells the tale of a zookeeper who takes care of his animal friends when he’s home sick.
- “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn – A comforting story for children starting school, about a mother raccoon who gives her child a special kiss to carry with them all day.
Funny Stories
- “The Book with No Pictures” by B.J. Novak – This hilarious book has no pictures, but is sure to make children laugh with its silly sounds and unexpected twists.
- “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” by Mo Willems – A fun and interactive story that invites children to participate by telling the pigeon why he can’t drive the bus.
Conclusion
Reading aloud to children is a wonderful way to engage their imagination, improve their language and literacy skills, and create lasting memories. The 30 best read alouds for kindergarten that we’ve shared in this blog offer a wide variety of stories that will captivate and inspire young minds. From classic tales to science and nature stories, from funny books to stories about diversity and inclusion, there’s something for everyone. So go ahead, grab a book and read aloud to your little ones today!