4 Books Kindergarten Teachers can Read Out Loud

Reading aloud to Kindergartners can be a fun and relaxing part of the school day, but it should still be a highly educational part of the day. It gives students the opportunity to expand their reading receptive abilities, which will directly influence their active reading efforts like learning letters and sounds. When selecting books for reading aloud, teachers should look for ones that will captivate the students. It is also important to note that if the reader is engaged in the text, it will increase the chances of the listener feeling engaged as well.

The following is a list of four good books for teachers to read to their Kindergarten students. These books have been chosen for their relatively simple text, their fun story-lines, and their compelling nature.

1. Tikki Tikki Tembo

This is a Chinese fable retold by Arlene Mosel and illustrated by Blair Lent. Published in 1968, this book is just as entertaining for modern day children as it was for those a generation ago.

The story details the tale of two brothers. Tikki Tikki Tembo-No Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi-Pip Peri Pembo is the eldest son and his mother’s delight. His long name serves as a verbal badge in his honor. However, when he falls in the well, his long name makes it almost impossible for anyone to spread the message about his predicament. Finally, his brother with the monosyllabic name tells the Old Man with The Ladder, and the boy is rescued. Thanks to the great sounds in the names and an easy to understand story, this book is one of the best go-to books for teachers to read aloud to students from Kindergarten to third grade.

2. Where The Wild Things Are

This Maurice Sendak book, first published in 1963, has been one of the favorite books for teachers to read aloud for nearly 40  years. It tells the story of Max “who wore a wolf suit” and made “mischief of one kind and another.” After Max is sent to his room, he sails away to where the wild things are. The text is simple, which allows children’s imaginations to dominate this story, and the colored illustrations are some of Sendak’s best work. Teachers who enjoy this book should also consider reading Sendak’s other works, including “In the Night Kitchen,” to their students.

3. Don’t Let the Pigeon Ride The Bus

This modern classic by Mo Willem will delight children with it’s fun story line. It tells the tale of a pigeon who really, really, really wants to drive the bus. The pigeon begs, whines, and finally throws a tantrum to get his way. Children may learn something about making requests politely, and after the first or second reading of this book, they will surely jump in and join in the chorus of no’s that wind through the story. This is a truly fun and delightful book to read aloud just as is Willem’s other fun picture book “Knuffle Bunny.”

4. Corn is Maize: The Gift of the Indians

This nonfiction book by Aliki is the perfect way to bridge the gap with Kindergartens who enjoy facts more than fiction. While listening to this book, children will learn a simple and scientific story about the history of corn. They will learn how the American Indians harvested corn and some of the ways in which they used it. If your students enjoy this book and you are searching for more good books for teachers to read that are nonfiction, you should check out the rest of Aliki’s work. Her topics range from milk to Shakespeare to mummies and more. The stories are never dry, and all of the concepts are well explained in simple terms.