Brainstorm in Bloom

Where Mommas and Kiddos stay happy one Project at a time!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Great Chapter Books to Read Aloud for Ages 4-8

So I have been working on compiling a list of great chapter books for reading aloud to 4-8 year olds and I'm finally ready to share it!

I have read many great chapter books to my 6 year old (Hornet) and we love the snuggle time where we explore new places and people by reading and listening to wonderful stories! My four year old (Roly Poly) and I just started with Stuart Little and he feels like he is such a big boy for listening to these longer stories with less pictures.
The list has books listed in order of their reading level - this is if they were independently read and doesn't necessarily mean that their content is that grade level. I used the Book Wizard from Scholastic to determine their grade level. It is always great to read aloud books that are at a higher reading level than your child can independently read to increase exposure to more developed vocabulary and plots. The tricky part comes into play though when the subject level is also above their level so always preview the books to make sure that they are appropriate for your child. Hornet and I are almost finished reading Cricket in Times Square which is a 5.9 grade level which may seem high for a 6 year old but it has been a great book and just right as far as content - with some great vocabulary and description (just what you want in a great read aloud)!

You are free to print and share! Click Here for Printable Version


Enjoy this List for 

Great Chapter Books to
Read Aloud to 4-8 year Olds!


Great CHAPTER Books to Read Aloud to 4-8 year olds

TITLE
AUTHOR
Grade
Level
Notes
Rating
(0-5 *)
Your Notes/Rating
The Littles (series)John Peterson
2.1
Easy, adventure, we like these
****
Mouse SoupArnold Lobel
2.2
****
Two Times the FunBeverly Cleary
2.2
Cute, good start to chapter books
***
Junie B. Jones (series)Barbara Park
2.2
Funny, many like but not my fave
***
Mercy Watson (series)Kate DiCamillo
2.3
Easy, funny, with pictures
***
Calendar Mysteries (series)Ron Roy
2.5
Simple, rural life, adventure
****
Cam Jansen Mysteries (series)David A. Adler
2.5
Easy mysteries
****
Russell and Elisa (series)Johanna Hurwitz
2.6
Magic Tree House (series)Mary Pope
2.7
Fantasy, travel, adventure
****
Minnie and Sophie: All Around TownMiriam Cohen
2.9
The Misadventures of Seldovia Sam (series)Susan Woodward Springer
3.1
Alaska coast adventure, Love them!
*****
The Chalk Box KidClyde Robert Bulla
3.2
A bit slow but good story
***
The Stories Julian Tells (series)Ann Cameron
3.5
Wildfire!Elizabeth Starr-Hill
3.8
Encyclopedia Brown (series)Donald J. Sobol
3.8
****
Stuart LittleE.B. White
3.9
Adventure, fun
****
A Lion to Guard UsClyde Robert Bulla
3.9
Mouse and the Motorcycle (series)Beverly Cleary
4.1
Funny , adventure
*****
Chibi: A True Story from JapanB. Brenner and J.Takaya
4.1
Ramona (series)Beverly Cleary
4.1
Funny, must read
*****
Betsy-TacyMaud Hart Lovelace
4.2
The MoffatsEleanor Estes
4.2
Little House (series)Laura Ingalls Wilder
4.2
Farm life, wholesome
****
Flat StanleyJeff Brown
4.4
The Reluctant DragonAdapted by Inga Moore
4.4
Mrs. Piggle WiggleBetty MacDonald
4.5
My Father’s Dragon (series)Ruth Stiles Gannett
4.8
Chocolate FeverRobert Kimmel Smith
4.8
Charlotte’s WebE.B. White
4.9
Classic, sweet
*****
The Puppy SisterS.E. Hinton
4.9
Fantastic Mr. FoxRoald Dahl
4.9
Mr. Popper’s PenguinsFlorence and Richard Atwater
4.9
The Hundred DressesEleanor Estes
5.0
The Water HorseDick King-Smith
5.2
Pippi LongstockingAstrid Lindgren
5.2
SocksBeverly Cleary
5.4
****
BFGRoald Dahl
5.8
Funny, thoughtful
****
Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryRoald Dahl
5.9
A Cricket in Times SquareGeorge Selden
5.9
Sweet, friendship
***
James and the Giant PeachRoald Dahl
6.7
****


Bookmark Version (without notes/rating)Click Here for Printable Version of Bookmark


BOOKMARK - Great Books to Read Aloud to 4-8 year Olds

TITLE
AUTHOR
Level
The Littles (S)
John Peterson
2.1
Mouse Soup
2.2
Two Times the Fun
Beverly Cleary
2.2
Junie B. Jones (S)
Barbara Park
2.2
Mercy Watson (series)
Kate DiCamillo
2.3
Calendar Mysteries (S)
Ron Roy
2.5
Cam Jansen Mysteries (S)
David A. Adler
2.5
Russell and Elisa (S)
Johanna Hurwitz
2.6
Magic Tree House (S)
Mary Pope
2.7
Minnie and Sophie: All
Around Town
Miriam Cohen
2.9
The Misadventures of
Seldovia Sam (S)
Susan Woodward Springer
3.1
The Chalk Box Kid
Clyde Robert Bulla
3.2
The Stories Julian Tells (S)
Ann Cameron
3.5
Wildfire!
Elizabeth Starr-Hill
3.8
Encyclopedia Brown (S)
Donald J. Sobol
3.8
Stuart Little
E.B. White
3.9
A Lion to Guard Us
Clyde Robert Bulla
3.9
Mouse and the Motorcycle (S)
Beverly Cleary
4.1
Chibi: A True Story
from Japan
B. Brenner and J.Takaya
4.1
Ramona (S)
Beverly Cleary
4.1
Betsy-Tacy
4.2
The Moffats
4.2
Little House (S)
4.2
Flat Stanley
4.4
The Reluctant Dragon
Adapted by Inga Moore
4.4
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Betty MacDonald
4.5
My Father’s Dragon (S)
Ruth Stiles Gannett
4.8
Chocolate Fever
Robert Kimmel Smith
4.8
Charlotte’s Web
E.B. White
4.9
S.E. Hinton
4.9
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Roald Dahl
4.9
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Florence & Richard Atwater
4.9
5.0
The Water Horse
Dick King-Smith
5.2
Pippi Longstocking
5.2
5.4
BFG
Roald Dahl
5.8
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahl
5.9
A Cricket in Times Square
George Selden
5.9
James and the Giant Peach
Roald Dahl
6.7




A must read for every teacher and parent is The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease! He encourages reading aloud picture and chapter books to your children and explains the great many benefits! I encourage you to check it out from the library or make the purchase (it is worth it).


Please BRAINSTORM any further book recommendations in the COMMENTS below for the
Great Chapter Books to Read Aloud to 4-8 year Olds!


Happy Reading
~Sara

9 comments :

  1. What a wonderful resource you are Sara! Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I had fun doing it! I plan to add pictures of the covers later so that we can print them after we read them and put them around our maps bulletin board with a string from the book cover to the place the story took place. Stay tuned for that post. :)
    We can chat later about what books would be good ones to start with when you start reading chapter books to your little ones. I think twinkle toes would like Charlotte's Web!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great post. Thanks for your hard work. I would add The Biscuit series of easy chapter books by Alyssa Satin Capucilli available at amazon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, yes The Biscuit Series will be a great addition to the list!

      Delete
  4. I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me..

    ReplyDelete
  5. It’s a very informative post to us, I have visited.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi!!! I love your blog! Great content.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I must say you’ve done a very good job with this.

    ReplyDelete

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