Summertime Listening Delights: Engrossing Books for Audiobook Enjoyment!
For families looking to keep their children entertained and engaged during the summer months, a variety of read-aloud books cater to different age groups and interests. Here are some top picks for your summer reading list.
Younger Children (PreK-3)
Engaging read-aloud sessions with young children can be a joy, and there are several popular picture books and early readers to consider. The beloved Elephant and Piggie series, Eric Carle's picture books, No, David!, Fancy Nancy, and Ish are all great choices. Additionally, practical titles like Frog on a Log and I Forgot: The Day I Forgot to Wash My Hands (Scholastic, 2025) offer fun and educational content.
Elementary Readers (ages 7-12)
Recent middle-grade books and graphic novels cater to a variety of genres, such as fantasy, mystery, animal stories, and contemporary themes. Notable mentions for this age group include The Liars Society, Max in the House of Spies, The First State of Being, Not Quite a Ghost, and Medusa by Katherine Marsh, which blends adventure and mythology.
Older Children and Early Teens
For older children and early teens, a mix of classic and contemporary favourites offers captivating narratives suitable for summer reading. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, The Princess Bride, and Anne of Green Gables are all well-known choices. The Vanderbeekers series by Karina Yan Glaser is also highly praised as a cozy and heartwarming read-aloud option for family reading sessions.
Sequels and Suggestions
For those who enjoy historical fiction, Roger MacBride's Rose Years books serve as a sequel to Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series. Fans of Eleanor Estes will appreciate her books, including The Moffats, Rufus M., The Middle Moffat, The Moffat Museum, Ginger Pye, and Pinky Pye. For those seeking adventure, Gone Away Lake and its sequel, Return to Gone Away, are suggested reads. The Miracles of Maple Hill is another book worth considering.
Lastly, it's worth noting that reading to kids for just 30 minutes a day can inspire them to create their own imaginative adventures based on the book. Picture books like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn are timeless classics that have captivated readers for generations, and the whimsical Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books continue to be recommended for their engaging stories and life lessons. Enjoy these summer reading recommendations and create lasting memories with your children!
Exploring 'home-and-garden' books, one can find practical titles like 'Frog on a Log' and 'I Forgot: The Day I Forgot to Wash My Hands' (Scholastic, 2025) that can be read aloud during family reading sessions, offering both entertainment and education for younger children.
Relationships between families and their children can be strengthened through shared reading experiences. For instance, reading to kids for just 30 minutes a day can inspire them to create their own imaginative adventures, as demonstrated by classic books like 'Tom Sawyer' and 'Huckleberry Finn'.
When family dynamics shift towards bonding over books, it can lead to exciting discussions about various aspects of lifestyle, such as the life lessons in 'Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle' books or the adventure-filled 'Gone Away Lake' series.
