Great Family Read Alouds Part I
Family read-alouds were a central part of our family’s day-to-day life. Some books we read were favorites from my own childhood, and several were newly discovered by the whole family. Though most of the reading happened during our school hours, some of the sweetest times my husband had with the boys were reading to them before bedtime. Our youngest son, who is now well into his 20s, still talks to my husband about how he wants to “tumble into bed” at night, a reference to a warm and comfy scene in "Wind in the Willows."
As a first-time author, I wanted my book to become a family classic that was worth many rereads. While developing the story and writing my book, "Pippin, You Are Just ALL Right!", I reflected on what made books worth investing our time by reading to our sons. I noticed a pattern. There are five common characteristics that they share.
Relatable Characters
These characters can come in the form of an orphan girl, a hyperactive Tigger, or a naughty rabbit. They are never perfect, so we get to see these beloved characters grow throughout the story. Some must learn how to navigate friendship; others are learning how to handle big emotions, and some must learn that they need to listen to those who are wiser than themselves. All are things that concern the world of children. How wonderful it is for a child to be able to see that others are learning big lessons and having adventures just as they are every day.
Draws you into the wonder of nature
It is glorious to be transported from your own home to rivers, woods, and gardens. What child would not want to pilot a boat down a river, live in a tree, or have access to their own secret garden? A child can learn a lot about animals and how they live, even when the said animals have a full suit on and chat regularly with each other. When a child hears a story that tells of a character protecting nature, they will begin to understand the value of all things GOD created from flora to fauna.
Gives you a story to hang truths on
We need this more than ever. As the world tugs on our children’s conscience and soul, they need to be reminded there are solid truths. The right kind of stories show there is a clear line between good and evil, there are consequences for their actions, and that they can persevere through uncomfortable situations. A good family read-aloud allows you to explore these truths without it coming off as preachy. When we need to bring these truths up in our day-to-day, it is easier for the children to remember them when we associate it with one of their favorite scenes or characters from a book.
Humorous characters and situations
These books contain all sorts of humor. It can be the laugh-out-loud silliness of a toad recklessly driving a motor car in the British countryside. Maybe it is giggling at the predicaments a country vet finds himself in as he cares for many types of animals. Perhaps it is the grin on our own faces when we realize the silly little bear is a lot wiser than we realized. It does not matter how your enjoyment is expressed. It is more about you expressing enjoyment with your child and tucking away memories of your time together.
Great Illustrations
Technology has brought us some wonderful ways to communicate, but it also has brought us some pretty awful illustrations. I watched our local library’s book collection grow. Some of the new editions were beautiful, but several were filled with disconnected and unfeeling illustrations. I guess I do not blame an author who has a passion for telling a story choosing to go with a more affordable way of illustrating. However, I knew that I needed the illustrations of "Pippin, You Are Just ALL Right!" to enhance the reading experience, not detract. This is especially true in a book you will be reading out loud to your children. Beautiful pictures help to keep the attention up and the wiggles down to a manageable level.
One last thing to remember when picking out a family read-aloud is that it is okay for your child not to understand every word. Charlotte Mason, a British educator from the 1800s, was spot on with the idea that sometimes we need to read above a child’s level. If we keep the reading material to their level, they miss the opportunity for growth. It is always acceptable for a child to stop the reading and ask what a word means or why something has happened.
Are you ready to explore some favorite family read-alouds from my family to yours?