Reading Aloud

I like to read. 

A lot. 

I haven't always been an avid reader, but in the past 10 or so years, I've begun keeping track of what I read and I average one book a week. Sometimes I have several books going at once, and other times I try to limit myself to focus on one thing at a time.

When I became a mother seven years ago, I discovered a new joy ~ reading aloud to my kids.

First it was board books, then picture books and now we've ventured out into chapter books. 

I love reading children's literature. Sometimes I read it to myself, for myself. Sometimes the girls aren't interested, or in the case of the Mistmantle Chronicles, Kevin had already read the books aloud to the girls. I was feeling left out and wanted to know what all the hype was about. I'm so glad I took the time to read figure it out.

I love that we have kept up the practice of reading together. Reading can be such a solitary experience, and it's fun to share in the joy of a story together. When you read aloud to your kids or family members, you engage in reading at a whole new level. We cuddle, laugh together, reminisce and even act out the stories as we go through our days. 

I hope my girls don't out grow this activity because I don't want it to end anytime soon.

Here's a list of what we have read together since the beginning of this school year (September 2011). This list doesn't include picture books, only the longer chapter books.

• Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary
• Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary
• Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary
• Ramona and Her Mother by Beverly Cleary
• Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
• Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White
• The Blue Hill Meadows by Cynthia Rylant
• Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
• The Tale of Despereax by Kate DiCamillo
• Babe the Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith
• Angus and Sadie by Cynthia Voigt
• Young Fredle by Cythia Voigt
• The True Gift by Patricia MacLachlan
• The ShoeBox by Francine Rivers

What are some of your favorite books you've read aloud to your kids?