14 Must-Read Books for Families
Throughout June, we’re not just taking the garbage off the children’s shelves in our libraries with “Hide the Pride,” but we’re also replacing it with great literature.
The books we consume as children stay with us our whole lives – the images, characters, heroes, and villains! Even better… reading aloud as a family gets everyone off the screens and laughing together.
Here are some not-to-be-missed family read-alouds that you and your kids will remember forever.
Look for them at your local library (or parish library, if you’re lucky enough to have one!) or favorite bookseller!
1. The Book of Saints and Heroes
Andrew Lang
Discover St. George and the Dragon, St. Columba and the Loch Ness Monster, St. Francis and the Wolf and St. Jerome with his friendly lion… among many others!
2. Cautionary Tales for Children
Hilaire Belloc
Short, amusing poems offer morality tales for the entire family with a rather British twist and dark humor. If you love Roald Dahl, you’ll love Belloc.
3. Fairy Tales
Hans Christian Anderson
A collection of classic fairy tales including the Little Mermaid, the Ugly Duckling, and many more! Enjoy reading the first rendition of these stories which have been told so many times.
4. Alice in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
Follows a curious girl and her adventures down the rabbit hole. If you enjoy wordplay or anything whimsical, you will love the unexpected adventures of Alice!
5. Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by Ernest Shepherd
Follow the adventures of Mole, Ratty, and Badger as they attempt to keep the motorcar enthusiast out of trouble! Heartwarming tale of adventure, friendship, and the beauty of nature.
6. Uncle Remus
Joel Chandler Harris
A collection of African American folktales written with the dialect of freedman Uncle Remus. Follow the adventures of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and more!
7. Tales from Shakespeare
Charles Lamb
A prose form of Shakespeare’s plays designed and written for children. This charming book retains much of Shakespeare’s beautiful language.
8. Winnie the Pooh and others in the series
A.A. Milne
Travel to the Hundred Acre Wood and spend a day with Winne the Pooh, Piglet, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo, and Tigger too!
9. Treasure Island
Robert Louis Stevenson
After discovering a treasure map in the belongings of Bill Bones, young Jim Hawkins sets out to search for buried treasure. The perfect excuse to break out your pirate voice when reading aloud!
10. Cheaper by the Dozen
Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
While living in a large family is familiar to most Catholics, this semi-autobiographical tale of twelve children and their antics will still delight and entertain those of all ages!
11. The Children of Noisy Village
Astrid Lindgren
Follows a year in the life of six children living on three farms in the country-side. Gently humorous, and masterfully written, the novel recalls a simpler time of life, when we were more connected to nature.
12. The Five Children and It
E. Nesbit
Tells the adventures of five siblings who encounter a sand-fairy which will grant one wish every day for as long as the sun is up. What do they wish for?
13. The Wheel on the School
Meindert DeJong
Lina writes an essay in school asking why there are no more storks in their little village. The other children begin to wonder as well, and together work to bring the majestic birds back.
14. Swallows and Amazons
Arthur Ransome
Two families of children come together one fateful summer to sail, camp, fish, explore and vanquish pirates…specifically Uncle Jim, who has become particularly unfriendly…
>> Want More? Check out all of our CatholicVote reading lists for kids!
18 Must-Read Books for Very Young Children
24 Must-Read Books for Elementary School Children
19 Must-Read Books for Middle School Children
22 Must-Read Books for Teen Girls
22 Must-Read Books for Teen Boys
14 Must-Read Books for Struggling Teens
