2014 Read Alouds

Angel Food for Boys and Girls: Volume I by Father Gerald T.  Brennan

The Angel Food for Boys and Girls series is an absolute favorite in our house. I don't think that I have ever finished reading a tale from this series without hearing, "Please read just one more story." All of my children have delighted in hearing these stories over the years. Fr. Brennan has a gift for writing books that entertain and teach at the same time.

A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home by Henry Cole

We learned about this entertaining book from Jen. My children enjoyed hearing about Celeste's adventures and her narrow escapes. They liked the illustrations too.

The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, illustrated by Roberto Innocenti

My husband and I saw this book on a library shelf and we were intrigued by the detailed and realistic illustrations of Tuscany. Our older children were happy to listen to this classic story of Pinocchio once again, and our younger children learned a thing or two by listening to the story of Pinocchio.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by E.H. Shepard

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this classic story as a child. I spent hours looking at E.H. Shepard's illustrations. My children delighted in the adventures of Toad, Rat, Mole, and Badger, marveled at Toads narrow escape, and occasionally shook their heads at his antics. One of my sons thought "the washerwoman" was hilarious. The Wind in the Willows is a book that all children should read or hear read.

New Catholic Picture Bible by Lawrence G. Lovasik

When Catherine was younger, my husband used to read a children's bible to her and eventually her brothers and sisters each night. After reading a story, my husband would ask questions. My dad used to delight, when he and my mom visited, in asking Catherine questions about various stories from the bible. She was always able to answer his questions. Somewhere along the way, the nightly bible reading stopped. Well, in February, we decided to start our old tradition again. The children are enjoying listening to their father read the bible after our family rosary each night and they are taking pleasure in answering his questions.

Stories of the Child Jesus from Many Lands by A. Fowler Lutz

We gave this book to Bernadette as a Christmas present a few years ago. She has read it and reread it over the years. This year, I asked her if we could use it as one of our morning read alouds, she was happy to oblige. The book includes beautiful inspirational stories of the Child Jesus from various countries.

Legends and Stories of Italy by Amy Steedman

The faith-filled stories in this book lend themselves well to narration. After I finished reading, I asked, "What can you tell me about the story?" One of my children would respond by retelling the story that I read. If they left anything out of their retelling, another child was happy to add a little more to the retelling. I highly recommend Legends and Stories of Italy. The stories are wonderful to read aloud or quietly.

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Sixty Saints for Girls by Joan Windham

A friend gave me this book after I told her about Sixty Saints for Boys. My children and I thoroughly enjoy the memorable stories in both of these books.