This is the year we started to take reading aloud seriously.
It’s not that we haven’t always, always, read aloud to our kids. It’s been our practice to do so every night before bed as long as they’ve been able to sit and listen. We’ve had months and years where we read Bible stories. Times when it was picture books. And lately – for the last year plus – we read the entire Harry Potter series. (We finished last weekend!)
But after an episode of What Should I Read Next?, where a mother and college-aged daughter talked about their reading times together, I decided maybe a little extra reading was exactly what my daughter and I needed.
She turned 9 this past fall, and our relationship has always been a little challenging. We both have hot tempers, and it felt like we were having a lot more fraught times than tender ones. We needed some one-on-one time, and with six people in the house that can be hard to come by. So one afternoon I asked her to come to my room and just let me read to her.
She fought it. She thought it was a trick, I suppose. But, her trust won, she gave in. We started reading Frindle by Andrew Clements; it was new to both of us, and we were charmed.
Quickly we realized the afternoon reading time was probably not going to work most days for our family, but I turned to reading just to her before bed. We’ve traveled through Ramona’s Oregon, Pippi Longstocking’s crazy home, the dollhouse home of a family of mice, the fantastic world of Arlo Finch, and more.
Some time during these nights, I suggested my husband read to our sons, who share a room, during this same time. Their books are vastly different, but also much beloved; my husband is mainly trying to hook our 7-year-old on new series that he can devour. (And it’s worked!)
We have loved this, and it’s been a wonderful point of connection for us with the kids. I feel closer to my daughter than I have in a long time, and the fact that I can simply mention that I see her “tattletale cloud” and it makes us both laugh is delightful. (And she loves that her brothers have no idea what we’re talking about. It’s a Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Magic reference.)
I didn’t really understand it all, though, until I started to devour The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie. Her thesis is that reading aloud to kids, all the way until they leave the home, is the best way to create family connection. Reading aloud is proven to improve grades, writing, and more, but her first point is that it makes a family culture. You have a whole series of “inside jokes” and references. You have stories to discuss and love and reread.
It clicked for me. I love having those points of connection. Talking about books is basically my favorite thing in the world, and to do it with my kids makes my life so much more enjoyable. Our memories of reading Harry together will last a long time, and I’ll remember how much the kids enjoyed running around putting unforgiveable curses on each other when they are far past that phase.
I love that my 9-year-old wants me to come to her room each night and read to her. I hope we’ll keep doing it another 9 years, until she graduates. And maybe even past then.
It’s our own family book club, and I treasure it.
series (and I would assume 
series as well) - I love the OH SO PINK illustrations in the Gigi books as well as the message. Mr. V tells Libbie every night now, "Good night, princess. Sweet dreams." I just love Sheila Walsh's sense of humor that makes these books readable for parents, too. 
by Liz Curtis Higgs - A recommendation from 
series by Melody Carlson - Melody Carlson is another author who writes for children, teens, and adults. This set of four books convey stories in rhyme and help teach basic Bible lessons: sharing, caring, giving. 
by Susan Hunt - We haven't been real methodical about this book yet, especially since the stories are longer with only one picture. Plus, the Bible verses are in KJV. But it teaches practical lessons and I like the idea of doing letter Bible verses! (And we're going to do these 
- Sometimes I wish that EVERY Bible story were in this wonderful Bible. But otherwise, it's pretty perfect. Every single story points to Jesus and His salvation of the world. Stories are usually three to four pages long, perfect for bedtime. And having Libbie come up to me and say, "Will you read me the Bible?" is just ... perfect!
