Children's Audio Books - Portals to a New Galaxy

Children's audio books were a chance discovery.

It was a fluke.

Kate Winslet can help parents, but you remain Reader no. 1

But before you accuse me of being dimwitted, let me explain myself.

Of course, I knew about audio books.

But what I did not know about was the amazing power of children's audio books.

They have quadrupled the amount of reading aloud/listening that we can do in a single day.

It's no longer just me reading to my kids.

Nowadays, my kids are enjoying the voices of Kate Winslet, Kelsey Grammer and Ted Danson reading to them.

Did I mention that Tim Curry, Walter Mathau and Billy Crystal also drop by from time to time?

Yes, we are having a blast enjoying read alouds from all these amazing actors and many more. 

They share the spotlight with Read Aloud Dad now.

The Wind in the Willows - Some of The Best Illustrated Children's Editions

The mission statement was clear.

Find the best-illustrated hardcover edition of Kenneth Graham's masterpiece The Wind in the Willows for my twins.

I also had to make sure the book was an unabridged version very suitable for read-alouds that can entrance my listeners on the force of its illustrations alone.

Simple, I thought.

Before you read any further I must admit that I failed in part of my "mission" - at the end I opted for a very carefully abridged version of The Wind in the Willow, on the strength of illustrations alone.

Yes, for fans of unabridged editions - hereby I admit I have sinned.

But in my defense, I must say that I did it purely for the sake of the enjoyment of my twins - who adore lavishly illustrated books.

It is such a beauty that I am simply enthralled with it.

The book I've chosen is a version of The Wind in the Willows illustrated by ...

Hilarious Book-sets: The Wayside School Collection

Every kid loves to giggle.

You know they do - their chuckling even gets on your nerves, especially when you hear those muffled little snickers at the wrong time.

I won't blame you if you try to forget those days when the little chortles get on your nerves.

But do remember how much they enjoy laughing, when your are choosing read-aloud material.

It's THE key to their undivided attention.

So, if your reading aloud sessions are becoming too boring - not only to your child, but to you too - turn to laughter.

It never fails.

If you only focus on reading masterpieces of children's literature to your kids - without leaving some space for pure, mindless fun - reading might become too much of a chore for all involved.

The Story of Doctor Dolittle - Amazing Illustrated Children's Edition

Some children's books simply amaze me.

The Story of Doctor Dolittle
illustrated by Michael Hague

You know that glorious feeling when you unexpectedly come across a wonderful example of children's literature?

A book that expands your horizons.

Take, for example, The Story of Doctor Dolittle that was published back in 1920.

I know what you are thinking...

Read Aloud Dad ... that is so passé!

But wait a moment, great books are never passé.

Admittedly, everyone knows about Doctor Dolittle.

There are twelve books in the series and The Story of Doctor Dolittle is the first, but not the most famous book from the Doctor Dollitle series.

In fact, its sequel The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle won the Newbery Medal in 1923.

So, you ask... is there really something special about this first book, The Story of Doctor Dolittle?

Or is it merely 'the boring sibling' from the Doctor Dolittle book series?

A Little History Of The World - A Lavish Illustrated Edition

Is there a more beautiful story for a child - than the story of the world?

Opt for this lavishly illustrated version
of Gombrich's masterpiece!

Ever since my twins were born in July 2007, I've considered telling them this ultimate story, but I wasn't sure how to start and from where.

Finally, I understood that it would have to come from a book.

I knew it had to be a great read aloud, but that was clearly a tall order.

A history of the world that reads like a children's story?

Clearly, there couldn't be a book that fits the bill.

If you want to tell the story of the world to your child, what you need is a book that will fan the flames of the fire for learning - as you read it aloud.

You do not need a comprehensive Bore-me-to-death-paedia.

So, Read Aloud Dad set off on one of his adventures to find THE ultimate read aloud book to initiate children in the story of human life on our planet.

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain

Some books are simply unforgettable experiences for boys and girls.

This is a fantastic moody thriller that builds suspense gradually, but never goes too fast or too far.

Yes, many children's books may be guilty of being simply to hard to follow or being too boring.

This one demonstrates how an author can find the perfect measure.

Perfect timing and effortless storytelling go arm in arm to create a read-aloud gem that is superb for all ages.

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain helps children address their hidden fears and also builds confidence in their own judgement.

Readers are thrust in the shoes of young Jonathan who is constantly reminded by his family that there are no bears on Hemlock Mountain, yet he suspects the answer could be different.

After we get to know Jonathan and the story of his large extended family, one day his mom sends him over Hemlock mountain to visit an aunt. Jonathan's task is to bring a pot that his mom needs to cook stew for 20 relatives.

And yes, this is Jonathan's first time to cross the mountain on his own.

It is early spring and even if there were any bears they would still be hibernating, mom said.

Or would they?

The grain of suspicion is planted in our minds that there could possibly be some bears on Hemlock Mountain.

But were there really any bears on the mountain?

What was hiding up there?

Horrible Illustrated Histories: Bloodcurdling Box of Books

OK, let me get something straight.

Reading aloud should be fun.

Always keep in mind that if your sessions are not fun - they are doomed.

And a salvage operation is always more "expensive" than a little additional investment right now - in the form of your time and good books.

This week I am recommending a "horrible" book set that will help your kids enjoy history, while having fun and learning.

This is a book set that I didn't want to miss out on, even though my twins are still not ready for it. So I ordered as fast as I could and now I am reading through it on my own.

History can be horrible.

And the further back in time you go,

the more horrible it becomes in some ways!

I keep it high on my wardrobe (despite the bewildered looks that I am getting from my wife) and I can't wait to start reading it aloud one day, as this book set will serve as proof that history can also be loads of fun.

But, it is not easy finding fun books that are suitable for every point in time. It is a game of hit-and-misses.

           

So you are allowed to play a trick that will buy you time, lots of time.

Enid Blyton's The Enchanted Wood & Faraway Tree series

This is the one.

This is THE book.

The book that made my 3 and half year old twins fall head over heels in love with chapter books.

A book of:
248 pages,
32 chapters
and each chapter about 7-8 pages.

The real deal.

Previously we had read a couple of chapter books that they enjoyed immensely - Two Times the Fun and Three Tales of My Father's Dragon - but this was the one that closed the deal.

The Enchanted Wood (the first of the three Faraway Tree books) steamrolled its way straight into the hearts of my two little pumpkins.

Although it didn't surprise me, I guess their mom was caught unprepared!

Three year olds running after me around the house, asking for one, two, three more chapters? More, more!!

"Read, Dad, read!!!!"

"Next chapter... Next chapter!!!"

Well, it did happen.

When you chose an early read-aloud chapter book for your kids, leave this delicate job to a professional.

Complete Chronicles of Narnia: My Picks of the Best Illustrated Children's Editions

Post update: Since I published the original post several years ago, there have been some important changes. 

My new favorite version

First, we managed to read aloud three of the seven Narnia Chronicles!

Second, we took a short hiatus from the book in order to switch to other literature. 

Now my twins are asking me from time to time when are we going to continue Narnia - so the moment is coming when we will continue reading Prince Caspian. I can't wait!

Third, our favorite version of The Complete Chronicles of Narnia in one book is no longer available from booksellers as new. Which means that you can only find it used. 

That is bad news.

However there is some good news, too!