It’s a question we hear a lot around here… how on earth is it possible to read aloud to the big kids when there are toddlers mucking about? And reading with those toddlers themselves- well, that’s a whole ‘nother ball of wax.
Girl, I hear you. I have six kids, and three of them are in the toddler set, so I get the challenges you’re facing when trying to build your family culture around books.
In this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, we discuss:
- strategies for keeping toddlers busy while you read to your older kids
- ideas for how to make read-aloud times with little ones successful
- the BEST books for little wigglers!
Click the the play button below:
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from the Read-Aloud Revival
More free resources and booklists
Get the best episodes and reources
from the Read-Aloud Revival
Books from this episode:
(All links are Amazon affiliate links.)
Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book
FROM SARAH
When a child asks the zoo for a pet, they keep sending animals, but none of them seem just right. Well, maybe until the end? Kids love lifting the flaps to reveal the animals!
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Young readers love lifting the flaps to discover the animals the zoo has sent—a monkey, a lion, and even an elephant! But will they ever find the perfect pet?
With bright, bold artwork, a catchy refrain, and a whole host of favorite animals, Dear Zoo is a must for every child’s bookshelf.
More info →Honey for a Child’s Heart
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Since its publication in 1969, this has been an essential guide for parents wanting to find the best books for their children. This family favorite is now revised and updated, including an annotated list of books for ages 0-12.
More info →Good Night, Gorilla
FROM SARAH
Follow the zoo’s night watchman as he tucks in all the animals for the night. But, uh-oh...did that gorilla just nab his keys?
FROM THE PUBLISHER
It's bedtime at the zoo, and all the animals are going to sleep. Or are they? Who's that short, furry guy with the key in his hand and the mischievous grin?
More info →Yummy Yucky (Leslie Patricelli board books)
FROM SARAH
Funny and down-to-earth, your child may very likely read this one to you after you've read it together once or twice!
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Learning about opposites has never been more fun — or funny — than with this winning board book. Yummy!
More info →Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business
Just a perfect little picture book! A peddler has given up on selling his caps for the day when they disappear right off his head. The culprits? Monkeys! Rhyming rhythm makes this a favorite amongst little ones.
More info →The Snowy Day
A 1963 Caldecott Medal winner, The Snowy Day is simple and beautiful. Explore the city as it is blanketed in snow. Perfect for winter, of course.
More info →Sheep in a Jeep
FROM SARAH
Silly sound-effects and and sheep hijinks make this series a favorite among pre-schoolers!
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Out for a drive in the country, Nancy Shaw and Margot Apple's well-known and beloved sheep run into some mishaps with their sturdy red jeep.
More info →A Turkey for Thanksgiving
Mr. and Mrs. Moose invite all their animal friends for Thanksgiving dinner and the only one missing is Turkey. When they set out to find him, Turkey is quaking with fear because he doesn't realize that his hosts want him at their table, not on it.
More info →Three Little Kittens (Folk Tale Classics)
**Description from Amazon: Three little kittens, they lost their mittens, and they began to cry. The three little kittens may be a bit careless, but they always manage to correct their mistakes in this favorite Mother Goose rhyme.
More info →Are You My Mother? (Bright & Early Board Books(TM))
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
This easy-to-read, must-have classic about a baby bird in search of his mother is perfect for every day! A baby bird goes in search of his mother in this hilarious board book edited by Dr. Seuss.
More info →Where’s Spot?
**Description from Amazon: Already available in board book format, this very first Spot book now has a brand-new cover in a fresh, vibrant color that makes it jump off the shelf.
More info →Little Blue Truck board book
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Meet Blue. A muddy country road is no match for this little pickup--that is, until he gets stuck while pushing a dump truck out of the muck. Luckily, Blue has made a pack of farm animal friends along his route. And they're willing to whatever it takes to get their pal back on the road.
More info →The Going-To-Bed Book
**Description from Amazon: Getting ready for sleep is tons of fun in this Sandra Boynton classic.The sun has set not long ago. Now everybody goes below to take a bath in one big tub with soap all over—SCRUB SCRUB SCRUB! This classic bedtime story is just right for winding down the day as a joyful, silly group of animals scr...
More info →Mr. Gumpy’s Outing
**Description from Amazon: Mr. Gumpy's Outing is a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner and an American Library Association Notable Children's Book. In England, illustrator John Burningham, with Mr. Gumpy's Outing, became the first artist ever to win England's Kate Greenaway Medal twice. Mr. Gumpy lives by a river. One sunny d...
More info →Links from this episode:
- Read the first three chapters of my book, Teaching From Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace for FREE
- To learn about gift subscriptions to the Read-Aloud Revival membership, head here and click on the “Gift” button
- RAR #19: Reading Aloud with Toddlers (The Why and How)
- My post: The Best Board Books for Toddlers
- Pattern Blocks
- Unifix Cubes
- Toddler Puzzles
- Twistable Crayons
- Glitter Crayons
- Safari Limited Toobs
- RAR #14: For Parents who Don’t Like Reading Aloud, Mystie Winkler
- RAR#1: Reading Aloud to Older Kids, Andrew Pudewa
- For more information about membership, head here: Read-Aloud Revival MembershipSaveSave