As the countless bookshelves and over-stuffed library bags in our home will tell you... our family LOVES books. We have always cherished the time we get to spend listening to a book read aloud together. There is nothing quite like the shared adventures we take in our minds through the book treasures we read. We have had so many favorites over the years, but I find many people asking what chapter books we have loved. (In choosing books, I have pretty strict standards for appropriateness. One of the great things about reading aloud is the ability to edit as you go. I often change a word here or there (for example- we don't say "stupid") or skip unnecessary lines that refer to smoking- a widely accepted habit a century ago).
Here is a list of some of our favorites. (Just as a reference I have a 7yr old daughter and a 10yr old son. This particular list goes back to when they were around 5yrs old.) They are in no particular order, well except for the first one- our top favorite! Seriously good! Grab your Kindle, download it today, and curl up and read to your kids! Enjoy and happy reading!!
Here is a list of some of our favorites. (Just as a reference I have a 7yr old daughter and a 10yr old son. This particular list goes back to when they were around 5yrs old.) They are in no particular order, well except for the first one- our top favorite! Seriously good! Grab your Kindle, download it today, and curl up and read to your kids! Enjoy and happy reading!!
GROWLY: BEGIN (Book 1) and WIDEWATER (Book 2)
by Philip and Erin Ulrich
These are our new favorite books! They are the perfect mix of intriguing and well-developed characters, friendships, adventure, imagination, suspense, and great storytelling. They have captivated everyone in our family and appeal to boys and girls of all ages and interests. We talk about these characters and the unfolding story lines all the time and cannot wait for more books in the series! So thankful for these authors and their incredible contribution to wholesome, quality family literature.
SARAH, PLAIN and TALL series
(SKYLARK, CALEB'S STORY, MORE PERFECT THAN THE MOON,
and GRANDFATHER'S DANCE)
by Patricia Maclachlan
A classic well-loved book most everyone has read. It's an easy read in simple speak telling of life during the Dust Bowl from the perspective of the children in the family. Most people know the first few but do not know there are more books to the story.
TEDDY'S BUTTON
This is the first book we read from the acclaimed Lamplighter Ministries. These books are from a variety of authors and genres and are designed to disciple and build character in children and adults of all ages. This was our first selection from dozens available. It is a book from the 1800s and sometimes the writing style was challenging, but my elementary age children were captivated by the story, moved by the plot, and touched by the Gospel message. It was a book none of us will forget and prompted many heartfelt conversations. We can't wait to read more from this publishing house! Next up for us is The Boy Who Never Lost a Chance.
FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS series
by Margaret Sidney
My children loved these tales of the five little Pepper children and their poor mother who struggled to provide for them. Their lives are simple and hard, yet full of love and fun. There are many books in their series and they are often free for Kindle or offered as an inexpensive set.
MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS
by Richard Atwater
A fun tale of a crate of penguins delivered into suburbia. Now a movie, but first a classic book and a fun read.
BETSY-TACY series
(BETSY-TACY, BETSY TACY and TIB,
BETSY and TACY GO OVER the BIG HILL,
BETSY and TACY GO DOWNTOWN)
by Maud Hart Lovelace
Classic tales of the simple life of young neighbor girls growing up in the early 1900s. These are well-loved books that have been read and reread by so many. We all enjoyed the first 4 books in the series. There are more but the plots become more mature as the characters become teenagers so we will save those for the future. They sell a treasury book that includes all 4 of these books and extras about the author's life.
ALL OF A KIND FAMILY
by Sydney Taylor
Another classic family story about a family full of girls growing up Jewish in NYC at the turn of the century.
FROM the MIXED-UP FILES of MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER
by E.L. Koningsburg
This was one of my very favorite books read aloud to me by my 4th grade teacher. I reread it at least 6 times myself. It tells of the adventures of 2 children who get locked in the Met on a school field trip. AN award winner, a classic, and a solid piece of literature.
IN the YEAR of the BOAR and JACKIE ROBINSON
by Bette Bao Lord
Another favorite from my grade school days. Shirley Temple Wong is a young girl in 1947 who moved from China to Brooklyn. This book humorously and touchingly explores what it is like to be a part of the American melting pot from the eyes of a child.
MRS. PIGGLE WIGGLE series
by Betty Macdonald
An all time favorite series from my childhood and my days as a teacher. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle has creative and fun solutions for all the neighborhood parents to address their children's troublesome behavior. Love the mix of imagination, good manners, natural consequences, fun, and fantasy. These will be requested over and over.
DR. DOOLITTLE
As a mother of an animal-lover I knew we would read this book at some point. I actually picked it up at Barnes&Noble from their Classic Starts Collection. I know some people are adamant about reading books in their original form, but we have read several of these and love them. To quote the seller they are "expertly retold to appeal to 2nd to 4th graders as well as older reluctant readers". I thought they were a great way to expose classics at a young age without trudging through thick books, tough vocabulary, and unfamiliar sentence construction. We have since added several more to our collection.
THE TROLLEY CAR FAMILY
by Eleanor Clymer
I have a copy that actually belonged to my mother. This was one of the first books I read aloud when my kids were preschoolers. It was a book we didn't want to end because we knew we would miss the characters and wanted to hear more about their lives.
GOONEY BIRD GREENE series
by Lois Lowry
As the new student in second grade, Gooney Bird's classmates are attracted to her unique style and personality. The book is a series of stories she shares with her class- each one absolutely true! I loved this book because in the process of sharing her tales, Gooney Bird teaches about the art and skill of storytelling in a format very relevant to children. I wish I had found this gem of a book sooner! Will definitely read more of the series.
EVANGELINE MUDD and the GOLDEN-HAIRED APES of the IKKINASTI JUNGLE
by David Eliot
An unusual tale about a young girl raised by primatologist parents. After a unique childhood, her parents disappear and Evangeline sets out to rescue them. This book is full of crazy and well-developed characters a bit of absurdity, humor, and adventure all stirred into one. This book now has a sequel with a new ecological adventure.
THE ELEVATOR FAMILY
by Douglas Evans
A playful book about a family that lives in an elevator for 3 days. A great silly story to prompt some fun "what if...?" conversations with your kids.There are lots of free activities and lesson plans available online, too.
MY FATHER'S DRAGON
by Ruth Gannett
A whimsical tale about a boy who runs away to Wild Island to rescue a baby dragon. Written in the nonsensical logic of a child and full of fun, heroic escapades and lots of artwork. This is the first book of the trilogy.
CRICKET in TIMES SQUARE
A timeless classic about Chester, the country cricket who ends up on the subway headed to Times Square. A tale of adventure, beauty, and friendship told through the lives of a cricket, a cat, a mouse, and a little boy.
GIFTED HANDS for kids
by Ben Carson
I loved everything about Ben Carson's biography and as soon as I finished reading it I told my husband I couldn't wait until our kids were old enough to read it. Problem solved- they made a kids' version! This story tells the inspiring and sometimes raw story of Ben's journey from inner-city Detroit to the chief neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins. His story is filled with truth, perseverance, overcoming obstacles, tremendous faith in God, and good old hard work. I love this book and this man!!
ANIMAL ARK series
by Ben M. Baglio
We have loved this series. At first glance it may look like another dime a dozen series written just to sell to the elementary crowd, but these stories have so much more to offer. Mandy is the daughter of two vets who own a practice in a quaint English town. She and her best friend, James, share the same "vet passion" and find themselves rescuing animals of every imaginable type and tackling problems as they arise. The stories are well-written with great character and plot development. As you continue to read you get to know the townspeople and their community as well as you know your own. The books are no longer in print but can be easily found in abundance in libraries and used book stores. They do not need to be read in any particular order. Many have become cherished favorites and we have read them more than once already. (Note: there is a sub series of these books that are haunted stories, but those are not part of the originals.)
THE PONY PALS series
My daughter is a horse lover and we have cherished these books. They are written about three young friends and their ponies. The girls have a variety of adventures, solve problems, set and achieve goals, and model good friendship. We did skip a few a the books that had scary themes (ex. ghosts). Our only real frustration is these great books are no longer in print so we have had to find them at used bookstores and libraries. Their popularity can make them hard to find, but the effort is well worth it. We did find it helpful to read the books in order, too.
THE FAMILY UNDER the BRIDGE
by Natalie Carlson
This touching story tells of a homeless hobo in Paris who's path crosses with three homeless children. It is a book about love and family, but also the reality of homelessness. A tender book with a great message.
MISTY of CHINCOTEAGUE series
by Marguerite Henry
A timeless classic with characters that find a place in your heart and never leave. We read the three books in the Misty series and loved every one. As much as I love the books, I also love their authenticity and historical credibility. I know we will read them again and cannot wait to visit Chincoteague ourselves one day! 
HUMPHREY series
by Bettey G. Birney
This new series has become a fast favorite in our family. They were written by a teacher who also includes questions and activities in the back of each book. All the books are written from the perspective of Humphrey, a classroom hamster in the second grade. Birney does an incredible job of developing the characters of the hamster and his frog buddy-Og; but also every one of the students in the class. You will grow to know and love each child and their unique talents, struggles, and personalities.The students take turns taking Humphrey home for the weekend and the author explores the many different home situations the students come from. We can't wait to see what Humphrey accomplishes next- such a smart hamster! And next on our list...
What are you reading now? What were your family's favorites?
