Special Edition: Amy's Read-Aloud Book List

A living document of picture book recommendations.

In recent discussions of children’s books, both in person and online, I have found myself recommending the same titles again and again. Occasionally I scribble them on paper, but more often I send an email or a text. It occurred to me recently that I could save myself a lot of time—and maybe offer some other families some delightful new reading recommendations—by making a master list, to which I can add as new books appear on our shelves or as I remember old favorites from my own childhood.

Okay, technically I’m mostly remembering old favorites from my youngest sister and brother’s childhoods. I read aloud to them for thousands of cumulative hours, and added more to those when I started babysitting and nannying in high school. I have no librarian credentials, and I do not work in publishing (YET) but I have read a good solid ton of picture books, and here are some of the best and brightest in my memory. The link below will take you to a Google spreadsheet with author, title, short summary, and a key descriptor.

Amy’s Read-Aloud Book List

At present I am the only person who can edit this list, but anyone with the link may view it; it is both shareable and public.

I tried to think of books a little bit outside the common Classic Children’s Books that we’ve all heard of and can probably recite from memory, so don’t thwack me with an indignant pool noodle if you can’t find Corduroy or Curious George or Make Way For Ducklings therein. I’m not ignoring them. I’m not even dismissing them. I like them! But you already know about them, so they didn’t make the cut.

Also, if you already know but vehemently dislike any of the titles on this list, please feel free to leave an enraged comment about how I am singlehandedly destroying future society with my inappropriate and boring book list. Interaction and attention feeds the algorithm.

I think that’s about it. As mentioned in my previous newsletter, I am taking a break from writing and from social media this month, so I don’t have much else to throw at you. I’ll see you on September 1st with a recap of my restful (lol) month of non-productivity!

Thanks as always for reading,

Amy

P.S. I love positive comments too, by the way. Just in case that wasn’t clear. And if you have book recommendations you didn’t see on the list and think I ought to know about, please do comment with those!