Otis by Loren Long: the quiet little tractor that keeps finding his way back into our reading pile

Otis is not a book that announces itself loudly.

It’s subdued, calm, and almost unassuming and that turns out to be exactly why it works so well as a read-aloud.

Deeeeeep breeeeaaath.... and lets continue.

 
And what about the art?

Dare I tell you how the stroke of Loren Long's paintbrush, coming from afar brings smiles to the faces of my twins? 

Now, please stop reading this post. 

Kindly look again at the pictures. 

Now let's say it together.... 

Wow. 

The Five Chinese Brothers: Parent Read-Aloud Review + How to Handle It in the 21st Century

This is a favorite book for a lot of families and that’s exactly why it’s complicated. If you’re asking “Can I read this today?” you’re already being the right kind of parent. Here’s how I read it aloud now, and why.

"Dad, do you know what is my favorite book?" 

Cover of *The Five Chinese Brothers*

I was surprised. Did I hear well? 
 
A favorite book?

Wow, among hundreds and hundreds of books, my little boy has a favorite?

And he never told me about it.

I wanted to know.
 

If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss: Read-Aloud Review + What Parents Notice Today

I picked up If I Ran the Zoo expecting classic Seuss nonsense. 

Then the “nonsense” turned out to be… a little too familiar. 

Here’s what still works brilliantly aloud, and what I’d frame for kids today.

But let me start at the beginning. 

Stumbling upon a good Dr. Seuss book is not exactly a surprise, but for me this book was precisely that.

 
A double surprise, in fact.

The Munschworks Grand Treasury (Robert Munsch): 15 Stories That Detonate a Roomful of Kids

If you want a book that changes the mood in a room, this is it. The Munschworks Grand Treasury is basically a “laugh switch” you can flip at will. 

And because it’s a treasury, you can pick a story that matches the exact energy level you need tonight.

Wait, did I say treasury?

I meant a grand treasury!

Grand.

What a lovely word for a children's book!

The Gardener (Sarah Stewart, David Small): a Caldecott Honor Read-Aloud That Lingers

My son picked this picture book out for reading one night, and that act surprised me. 

The Gardener looks gentle… and then it starts doing serious work on the heart. 

The Man Who Lost His Head (1942): Claire Huchet Bishop + Robert McCloskey at Their Weird Best

What do you think?

Isn't this a scrumptious book cover?

This story grabs children by the collar in the first line and doesn’t let go. 

And McCloskey’s drawings? They punch.

I simply adore this classic!

The KnowHow Book of Spycraft: Make Your Home a Spy Den With Code-Breaking Fun

Do you know that warm feeling of fondly remembering a book you adored while you were a kid?

But now ... you simply do not know where it ended up?

That is exactly what I felt every time when my mind wandered back to one of my childhood favorites - The KnowHow Book of Spycraft.

It was one of those books that one knew was a keeper, even as a child.

Alas, I "lost it" (polite way of saying that my parents probably got rid of it).

Fortunately, I stumbled upon The KnowHow Book of Spycraft recently after I was able to piece two and two together and remember its name.

The Wretched Stone (Chris Van Allsburg): The Picture Book Warning About Screens (Without Saying “Screens”)

This is Van Allsburg at his most polite… and most unsettling. 

The Wretched Stone never points a finger, never gives a speech, and somehow still delivers a warning kids actually feel. 

Read it aloud once and you’ll know exactly why.

Ish by Peter H. Reynolds: the Read-Aloud That Fixes 'I Can’t Draw'

The day a child says “I can’t,” something precious cracks. 

Ish is my antidote book. 

I pull it down fast, read it aloud, and you can almost watch the shoulders rise again.

As we all know, few things are as heart-wrenching as seeing your child demoralized and disheartened.

Press Here - The Interactive Book that Trumps All & Why This “Anti-App” Book Still Wows

Looking for a perfect children's gift?

Press Here by Hervé Tullet

Look no more.

You don't have to listen to me.

Let me describe to you what my five-year old twins think.

The Two Cars: Why You Should Read This 1955 Classic Aloud (and Why It Lasts)

Can you lose and still be a champ?

This is a book that will leave you scratching your head.

It's a bit unnerving, in fact.

Andrew Henry’s Meadow (Doris Burn): The Picture Book That Makes Kids Want to Build Things

What a picture book!

This is the kind of story that makes children look around the room differently - as if every chair, box, and string is suddenly a building material.

Wow!

Read Aloud Dad was floored after reading this one.

Reading The Fire Cat (Pickles) with Kids - Why This Early Reader Still Sings Aloud

What I discovered might surprise you.

Most of you know about my deep love for the little delicate black cat with the red scarf, Jenny Linsky.

Esther Averill's creation is a dream come true for read aloud families around the world.

But, what I wasn't aware was that Jenny Linsky was merely the tip of a read aloud phenomenon.

Double Trouble in Walla Walla: The Tongue-Twister Read-Aloud That Broke My Brain (in a Good Way)

Howdy dowdy my friends!

You are about to learn about a hilarious book full of pure unadulterated fun.

Fun that you can have with words!

But before I tell you about it, I have something to admit.

The Caboose Who Got Loose: Rhyme on Rails, Big Vocabulary, and a Perfect Tree-Top Ending

Some read-alouds are a real rollicking ride.

Challenging the brain the first time around, yet they manage to remain a wonder many months and years later.

Can there be anything better than a book that stands out for several decades in the fast-paced world of picture book publishing?

As you may know, I only review children's books that we buy for our home library.

Yep, it is a pretty limiting rule.

Reading “The Little House” Today: Change, Place, and a Perfect Out-Loud Rhythm

A middle-aged man is seated at his desk, working alone in his office.

The phone rings.

A four-year old boy is on the line.

Officer Buckle and Gloria (Peggy Rathmann): Caldecott Medal Read-Aloud That Makes Kids Roar

This is the safety talk kids actually want. Not because of the tips, but because of Gloria.

Read it aloud once and you’ll hear the giggles arrive right on schedule… and then the listening happens.

King Hugo’s Huge Ego: When Rhythm, Humor, and Humility Click

If you have never read a children's book written by Chris Van Dusen, you have missed out on something big.

And no, I don't mean King Hugo's humongous head.

Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man (Robert McCloskey): Why This “Slow” Book Hooks Kids

This one doesn’t sprint. It sails. 

Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man has an old-fashioned pace. Yet, that’s exactly why it feels so satisfying aloud. 

If your child can sink into a story, this book quietly pulls them under.

Hello friends, my name is Read Aloud Dad and I love children's books.

And I am talking about a strange dependence here.

I Love You Through and Through: The Picture Book That Shows Kids Love (Not Just Says It)

Yes, just stop saying it - on autopilot. The three words are easy. The hard part is making them land. 

This book is my favorite shortcut to the real thing.

Use this book to make your point heard.