Favorite New Read-Alouds

Reading-aloud to a child is one of the most important things you can do to build a love of books, language, and help prepare them for learning to read. It's also such a fun way to laugh, share, learn and bond together!

There are so many wonderful books to choose from. If you need more ideas, two great books to turn to are Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook and Esme Raji Codell's How to Get Your Child to Love Reading.

A few of our favorite read-alouds at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library include:

Baby Bear, Baby Bear, what do you see? by Bill Martin, Jr.

The final collaboration between Bill Martin, Jr. and Eric Carle. Colorful collage art and rhyming text follow a baby bear and its mother as they meet numerous North American animals. Fans of previous Martin/Carle collaborations (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?) will want to check out this book. Place a hold today - the title is on order!

Chewy Louie by Howie Schneider

Anyone who has ever had a puppy that tried to eat them out of house and home can relate to the family of the adorable, hilarious character of Chewy Louie! In this book, a family may have to get rid of their new pet, a cute puppy that eats everything in sight, including toys, bowls, and porches.





Dooby Dooby Moo by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin

While Farmer Brown sleeps, his animals prepare for a talent show at the county fair. Be prepared to laugh and sing with this book! Author Doreen Cronin always presents funny, yet wise animal characters that challenge and surprise people!






Emily's Balloon by Komako Sakai

A little girl's new friend is round, lighter than air, and looks like the moon at night. This understated, beautifully illustrated book by Japanese author Komako Sakai is sure to resonate with toddlers.







The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster

The first picture book by the author of the classic "The Phantom Tollbooth" tells the story of a little girl who finds a magic gateway in the kitchen window of her grandparents' house, and the voyage of discovery she takes. Winner of the Caldecott Award.





How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen

Following the tradition of Jane Yolen's other dinosaur books (How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? and How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?), this picture book illustrated by Mark Teague depicts dinosaurs eating their food in a variety of ways. The questions and rhythmic text offer table manner suggestions in a fun, positive way to young children. These books are always a hit at storytime!



Hurry! Hurry! by Eve Bunting

Hurry! Hurry! Come meet the new addition to the barnyard! All the animals of the barnyard community hurry to greet their newest member, who is just pecking his way out of an egg.





I Could Eat You Up! by Jo Harper

How do I love you? Like a sugar lump, like a juicy berry, like a plump little peach. Mothers and fathers love their little babies so much, they could just eat them all up! This winsome picture book depicts loving moments between human parents and babies, mare and pony, hen and chicks, as well as other cuddly friends from the animal kingdom.




I Stink! by Kate & Jim McMullan

A big city garbage truck makes its rounds, consuming everything from apple cores and banana peels to leftover ziti with zucchini. Get ready for a roaring, stinky time!





It's Okay to be Different by Todd Parr

Illustrations and brief text describe all kinds of differences that are "okay," such as "It's Okay to be a different color," "It's Okay to need some help," "It's Okay to be adopted," and "It's Okay to have a Different nose." Todd Parr's bright, colorful drawings illustrate the meaning behind each reaffirming sentiment well.




Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

When Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk, she ends up tired, wet, and hungry trying to reach it. Kevin Henkes black and white illustrations landed him the Caldecott Award for this sweet picture book.





Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

In this infectious rhyming and read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama-drama. Young children will relate to Baby Llama's need for comfort, as much as parents will appreciate Mama Llama's reassuring message.





Looking for a Moose by Phyllis Root

This hunt for an elusive moose through woods, swamps, bushes, and hills is just as fun as the final surprise discovery of moose en masse. Children will laugh at the running visual joke--what is that little dog looking at?




Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner

Move over, Eloise and Olivia. Make room for SkippyjonJones, a Siamese kittenboy who can't resign himself to being an ordinary cat. Having a time-out in his room, he resorts to his imagination. Taking on the superhero persona of the great Spanish sword fighter Skippito, he has the adventure of his life, and readers are invited along. Zany, wild, and over-the-top, this utterly original book truly begs to be read aloud. [Syndetics]

Traveling Babies by Kathryn O. Galbraith

Follow the toddling babies through a photographic and illustrative journey past cuddling babies and parents of all kinds. Celebrates both animal and human babies and the variety of ways they travel - bouncing, hopping, clinging and swinging...

A good title to be enjoyed with little ones!