Ten fun read-alouds for young children

Our previous Writer in Residence Michelle Robinson shares her favourite books that are brilliant to read aloud with children.

Great writers have a way of weaving words that work wonders when read aloud. Pick the right story and you’re guaranteed to have fun reading together. Here are a few books I always enjoy sharing with young children. 

Michelle recommends

Stomp, chomp, big roars! Here come the dinosaurs! by Kaye Umansky and Nick Sharratt

This picture book is full of short, snappy poems, all about dinosaurs. Children can join in with the actions and will quickly parrot them back to you – a great way to get kids reading’. Pick a page or two for a really quick story time, or read the whole thing easily in one go. 

Puddling by Emma Perry and Claire Alexander

Rainy days are wonderful for reading, as well as for getting out and splashing in puddles. This lovely book can be used as a springboard for putting on wellies and exploring outdoors, or for curling up indoors and chatting about the highs and lows of wet-play days. 

Stanley’s Stick by John Hegley and Neal Layton

John Hegley writes the funniest, down-to-earth poems. This one – about a boy, his companionable stick and endless imagination – is perfect to share with children. Lose yourself in the brilliant illustrations while Hegley’s words roll around your mouth like sweets. Glorious. 

We’re Going To Find The Monster by Malorie Blackman and Dapo Adeola

Who doesn’t enjoy a book that invites a real-life tickle fight? Eddie and Charlie’s boat looks a lot like a cardboard box, and the tiger they encounter looks rather like a cat… There’s plenty of adventurous story to enjoy, without being so long it wears down the adult reader. 

The Diddle That Dummed by Kes Gray and Fred Blunt

This mischievous book is just the right kind of naughty. The illustrations are full of very funny feelings, and the story itself is surprising and full of cheeky chuckles. Diddle, diddle, diddle, diddle, diddle… dum! 

Hoot Owl, Master Of Disguise by Sean Taylor and Jean Julien

Children love being smarter than the characters they read about. Hoot Owl is adorably daft as he disguises himself as a carrot and even an ornamental birdbath in search of dinner. There’s a mix of simple and more challenging language in this book that makes reading it a really rich experience – as well as a very funny one. 

I Am Bat by Morag Hood

This is a book of few words, but there are lots of easy ways to spin out the fun. Give Bat a funny voice, count the fruit and have a go at guessing what will happen over the page. Pair it with any of Mo Willems’ Pigeon books for a fun and interactive story time. 

King Jack And The Dragon by Peter Bently and Helen Oxenbury

Nostalgic and sweet, this book is a great choice for story time. There’s something about the gentle rhythm that soothes and reassures, especially when paired with Helen Oxenbury’s cosy illustrations. Reading this one out loud makes you feel like a master storyteller. 

Tiddler by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

This is my absolute favourite book by this duo because it is amazing to read aloud. It skips and bounces along and always makes me smile. I read it repeatedly to my kids before they were even born, just for the pleasure of speaking the words. Pure joy! 

Fox In Socks by Dr. Seuss

Every word is short and simple, but the way they’re put together makes them a hoot to say aloud. There’s lots of repetition and silliness, and the pictures relate directly to the words. A great choice to share with children who are learning to read. 

  • Puddling!

    by Emma Perry, illustrated by Claire Alexander 

    2022 2 to 4 years 

    • Picture books

    This delightful celebration of splashing in puddles is a joyous book, full of community, friendship and the pleasure of being outdoors, whatever the weather. Parents and carers of little ones will know how fun puddling” is and it’s nice to see this popular game reflected in a picture book.

  • Tiddler

    by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler 

    2016 2 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Although he looks small and ordinary, Tiddler is a fish who loves to tell tall tales. But one day he is swept up in a fisherman’s net and then thrown back in to an unfamiliar part of the sea.

  • We’re Going to Find the Monster

    by Malorie Blackman, illustrated by Dapo Adeola 

    2021 2 to 6 years 

    • Fantasy
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    A lovely slightly fairy tale-inspired tale about a family with two younger siblings and a teenager getting ready for breakfast, featuring the wonderful storytelling and word wizardry of Malorie Blackman and the illustrations of prize-winning Dapo Adeola.

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