World Read Aloud Day, celebrated on February 5th, is all about bringing people together through the power of stories! Whether in classrooms, libraries, or at home, reading aloud connects us by fostering a sense of community. It’s a chance to laugh, learn, and explore new worlds together. When we read aloud, we create bonds, make memories, and celebrate the power of storytelling. So grab a book, and let’s make the world a better place by bringing people together through a shared story.
Touch the Sky
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3
“Lucianovic demonstrates a keen, child-friendly understanding of what it’s like to master a new skill. . . The energetic, loosely drawn mixed-media illustrations zing with color. . . It’s swing, hit, and no miss with this rip-roaring charmer.” — starred, Kirkus Reviews
And, Too, the Fox
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3
U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón has a keen eye for the natural world.
“The wonder and reverence conveyed through the text and the fluidity of the illustrations result in a smooth and calming experience that will leave readers awed at the beauty of nature. A grounded yet ethereal blend of verse and vulpine sentiments.” —starred, Kirkus Reviews
The Mistakes That Made Us: Confessions from Twenty Poets
Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
“The strength of this collection comes from the authors admitting their mistakes and going on to explain the value of the resulting learning opportunities. A gentle reminder of the stepping stones making up the path to growth, discovery, and creativity.”—starred, Booklist
Bear’s Big Idea
Interest Level: Preschool – Grade 2
Every day that Bear and Fish spend together is a good day. Fish always has the perfect idea for what to do!
From the creators of Big Bear and Little Fish, Bear’s Big Idea celebrates the power of imagination, play, and friendship, reminding us that-even when we can’t see them-the most important things are always with us.
“A winning tale of friendship and creativity unleashed.”—Kirkus Reviews
Slippery, Spicy, Tingly: A Kimchi Mystery
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3
“Based on Korean author and illustrator Choi’s relationship with her own grandmother, the story’s playful drawings and writing create a fun, lighthearted feel. The gentle pastel illustrations capture Halmoni’s quirky personality through her facial expressions and movements, as well as Keo’s curiosity and wonder.”—starred, Booklist
Starlight Symphony
Interest Level: Preschool – Grade 3
Eee-oh-lay! Chirp-a-chirp! Rat-a-tat!
Nature is full of music. Listen in as a wood thrush, a cricket, a woodpecker, and many other animals perform a symphony under the stars. Rhyming verse and eye-catching photos will draw in animal lovers and music lovers alike!
Bear’s Lost Glasses
Interest Level: Preschool – Kindergarten
“Readers get to enjoy their own comparative outlook, the silliness of Bear’s near-misses, and the satisfaction of a running gag resolved.”—Publishers Weekly
“A humorous, delightful tale about finding wonderful new ways to see the world.”—Kirkus Reviews
The Rock in My Throat
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 4
At first, no one noticed when I stopped talking at school.
In this moving true story, Kao Kalia Yang shares her experiences as a young Hmong refugee navigating life at home and at school.
“A heartfelt story that teaches children about diversity and reflects difficulties with being different, understood, and accepted.”—starred, Booklist
Freedom Braids
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3
Gather the midnight strands,
tend the roots that gave you life,
weave hopes into pathways—
paths that lead you home.
A picture book of love, liberation, and legacy inspired by the true story of enslaved African women in Colombia braiding maps to freedom.
The Love of the Moonlight
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3
“If we loved, much like the moon, then would we be as kind?”
“A nighttime poem rooted in a city landscape, encouragement to be compassionate, and, of course, moonlight. . .. The palette of blues, reds, greens, and black is expertly shaded, conveying a dreamy mood appropriate to the subject.”—Kirkus Reviews
We’re Celebrating Fiction with Read-Aloud Videos in February
Throughout the month of February we’ll be sharing free read-aloud videos of our favorite fiction books! We’ve hand picked this year’s content, including read-alouds from both picture books and chapter books. You’ll receive weekly emails with read-alouds and free downloadable teaching guides.