Do you want spend more quality time with your kids but don't want to organize events and activities? The answer is between the pages of a book. Set a goal to read aloud with your kids every day. For those of you who enjoy structured guidance when it comes to setting goals and following through, this 2023 Family Read Aloud Challenge is for you!
We've done a Poetry Reading Challenge, a Poetry Writing Challenge, even a Summer Library Challenge and now (drum roll) a family read aloud challenge. Given how pushy I am when it comes to reading aloud to your kids, I must confess I was shocked to discover I had yet to offer you this resource!
This 2023 reading challenge is designed to be flexible enough that you can easily complete it. All you have to do is read aloud to your kids one novel or chapter book each month.
Now, you might be saying, "Too easy! I read aloud at least one War and Peace-length novel to my kids each week!" To which I respond, "That's so good! You'll be able to complete this challenge for sure."
Others may be saying, "Too hard! My kids won't sit still for 5 minutes at a time." To which I respond, "I hear you. That why I've kept wriggling kids in mind with suggestions that will always include a short novel or chapter book." In addition, at the end of this post, I'll give you some handy tips for fitting read aloud time into your busy day.
See? This is gonna be so fun and so easy.
Would all your 2023 goals be so attainable!
How it works:
You already know you only have to read one book per month to be a winner. Each month has a special prompt to help you choose a book. Just before the start of each month, I'll email a few suggestions for books based on age groups. You can use one of my recommendations, or find your own.
If you're not already subscribed to our email newsletter, fill out this form and when you get the read aloud challenge printable, you'll also be subscribed.
Note that this is a novel or chapter book challenge. Go ahead and read all the picture books you want, but they don't count towards the challenge. They do, however count towards your "Best Parent in the Word" certificate.
Read Aloud Challenge Monthly Prompts
Each month has a unique reading prompt. You'll choose a book that aligns with the prompt. Some of these prompts have corresponding book lists, and my email reminders will include additional titles and maybe even new books I will have just read!
January: a book that was turned into a movie
There's a catch here. Your kids should have already seen the movie but not read the book! So if you've all seen The Wizard of Oz, but not read the original, it's time to pick up a copy of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The good news here is that there are hundreds of books/movies from which to chose!
Useful list: Books made into movies you can watch with tweens
February: a book written by a Black author
In the United States, February is Black History Month. This is a great time to pick up a book written by a Black author. It can be a book in any genre. Historical fiction, fantasy, science-fiction, sports-themed, memoir–anything!
Useful list: Middle grade novels by Black authors
March: a book set in a different country
Get ready for some jet lag-free traveling by reading a book set in a foreign country. Maybe it's a country your kids would love to visit someday, or maybe it's someplace they've been before. The locale is up to you.
Useful list: Middle grade books set in countries around the world
April: a novel written in verse
April is National Poetry Month. Long time readers of this blog know I am super pushy when it comes to demanding encouraging you to read poetry with your children. If you've never read aloud a book written in verse before, you may have reservations. However, I am making you a non-legally binding guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised. Free verse is easy to read aloud and as a bonus, these books tend to fly by!
Useful lists:
May: a detective story
Who doesn't love a good whodunit? The suspenseful nature of detective story makes them excellent choices for any read aloud. And there are so many different types! You can go for a classic like The Westing Game, an outrageous drawing-room mystery, like The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place, or a mysterious gothic mystery like, The Clockwork Crow.
June: a classic that is new to you
Choose a classic that neither you nor your kids have ever read. That could be something as well known as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, or a newer classic from when you were a kid.
July: an animal story
What's your child's favorite animal? Dog? Cat? Mountain Goat? There are some wonderful animal stories out there.
August: a fairy tale retelling
Castles, magical transformations, gnomes, wishes, and other lands. These are all classic features of fairy tales. Choose a read aloud book that gets you and your family looking at a well-known fairy tale from a new perspective.
September: a book written by a Latinx author
In the US, we honor Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. Pick up a book which puts the Latinx experience at the forefront. Fortunately there are loads of excellent books to choose from.
October: a book in translation
I have a deep love for books originally written in languages other than English. If you aren't regularly picking up books from other cultures, you are missing out on a treasure trove of great children's literature!
Publishers are often reluctant to solicit translations of international books into English. But, "Foreign books further the understanding and emotional experience of cultures, linking people together ‘imaginatively, intellectually and culturally’." Translations can be expensive and difficult, so let's show our support for the endeavor by reading these books!
Useful list: Children's novels and chapter books in translation
November: a book written by an Indigenous author
November is Native American History Month, a great time to introduce your children to one of the many stellar Indigenous children's book authors. There has been a burst of new publishing by indigenous authors in the last few years so you'll find some wonderful titles to choose from.
December: a novel set in winter
It's time to cozy up under the blankets and warm your hands will a mug of hot cocoa! Whether you choose a Christmas read aloud book or a non-holiday specific winter novel, this is one of my favorite times of the year to read aloud, and it will be yours, too!
How to Find Time to Read Aloud Everyday
Even if you have the best intentions, finding time to fit in reading aloud to your kids can be a challenge for some. The best way to start is to make a commitment to read aloud for 15 minutes every day. And you never know, it might be easier to find 15 minutes than you think!
Tips
Read aloud at bedtime. This is probably the most popular way parents take time out to read to their children. Everyone is (hopefully) relaxed, it's a great way to get kids to stay in bed (well, for 15 minutes at least) and it's easy to keep to a schedule.
Read at meal times. This is one of my top tips for reading aloud to children of different ages. Everyone is at the same place at the same time and you have a captive audience. Sure, you may not be able to get you dinner or lunch consumed, but I found this to be a very helpful technique for my kids who have a 4 year age difference.
Read aloud while waiting. This strategy is harder to keep to a regular schedule, but look at your children's activities. Do you sit on the sidelines with your youngest while your oldest has their music lesson? Are you waiting for one kid to finish up at the dentist while the other one waits for their turn? Stick a book in your purse or in the car (or use an e-reader on your phone) and you'll be able to read aloud during those moments where you might otherwise hand a screen over to keep them busy.
Read aloud during chores. Their chores, not yours! Perhaps you require your child to pick up their room and make their bed every day. Can you read aloud to them while they perform the task? It will make the chore more enjoyable for them and perhaps with the prospect of story time, you won't have to ask them forty-five times to make their bed!
I hope you join the challenge!
Charlotte says
Hi Erica! Thank you so very much for the lists of books you always share. I have been using your recommended books and tips on reading. As I write now, the kids have developed a love for reading. Even those who would never open a book to read on their own! Many Blessings to you for your had work!
Erica says
Hi Charlotte! That's wonderful to hear. I'm glad the book lists have been helpful. Happy reading!