First Grade Read-Alouds

I'm always on the lookout for age-appropriate reading lists. Good, classic literature. Stories to feed our children's natural inclination towards imagination, a rich vocabulary, and wholesome values. Reading IS the curriculum around here. We read picture books before naptime and bedtime. We read to immerse ourselves in all the subjects we study:  science and nature study, math, the lives of artists and musicians, history, Bible stories, stories of people of great virtue, and so on. The list below is the list of chapter books that I read aloud to the kids meant to expose them to classic literature. Perhaps it may be helpful in helping someone out there in composing a list of her own.

We enjoyed all the books. "Alice's Adventures" was a bit over the top for first graders, I thought. But the kids sat through the whole thing and seemed to be interested. I am glad we read it but I found it a little painful at times because the descriptions do get long at times. I probably should have waited a year or two. The rest of the books were fantastic! As you can see, we are HUGE fans of Thorton Burgess. Sage took quite a liking to the "My Father's Dragon" series as well.


"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" Carroll

"The Courage of Sarah Noble" Dalgliesh

"The Adventures of Buster Bear" Burgess

"The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" Hoffman

"The Adventures of Reddy Fox" Burgess

"The Hobbit" (with dad) Tolkien

"The Jungle Book" Kipling

"My Father's Dragon" Gannett

"Elmer and the Dragon" Gannett

"The Dragons of Blueland" Gannett

"The Little Lame Prince" Craik

"Old Mother West Wind" Burgess





Audio Books:
"Raggedy Ann"
"Mary Poppins"
"The Wizard of Oz"


I mostly have our read-alouds chosen for next year. If you are interested, let me know, and I can share what I have planned out so far. Best wishes on your own planning!!