Reading is an amazing resource. It:
- Builds empathy (Scientific American, 2013)
- Develops vocabulary. Just 10 minutes = 1 million additional words! (Logan et al, Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 2019)
- Improves focus, stress, memory, & academic success (NCU, 2015), (ASCD)
- Is the key to life success according to Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. (CNBC, 2018)
Reading also demands active attention, critical thinking, and moves at the pace of real life. This makes it an excellent replacement activity for unhealthy Drool Tech habits. So make time to read, whether aloud or alone, and model healthy reading habits for your children.
Ages >5
- Berenstain Bears, by Stan and Jan Berenstain
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Bill Martin Jr.
- Busy Town, by Richard Scarry
- Chrysanthemum, by Kevin Henke
- Clifford the Big Red Dog, by Norman Bridwell
- Corduroy, by Don Freeman
- Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, based on the work of Fred Rogers
- Encyclopedia of Animals, by Jules Howard & Jarom Vogel
- Goldfish on Vacation, by Sally Lloyd-Jones
- Good Night, Good Night Construction Site, by Sherri Dusky Rinker
- The Day The Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt
- Little Blue Truck, by Alice Schertle
- Once Upon an Alphabet, by Oliver Jeffers
- Otis, by Loren Long
- Steam Train, Dream Train, by Sherri Dusky Rinker
- The Going To Bed Book, By Sandra Boynton
- The Jesus Storybook Bible, by Sally Lloyd-Jones
- The Peter Rabbit Collection, by Beatrix Potter
- Tikki Tikki Tembo, by Arlene Mosel
Ages 6-9
- A Bear Called Paddington, by Michael Bond
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory / James and the Giant Peach / Matilda, by Roald Dahl.
- Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White
- Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis (7 books)
- Little House On the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder (9 books)
- Mr. Poppers Penguins, by Richard Atwater
- Peter Pan, by J.M. Barrie
- Stuart Little, by E.B. White
- Strega Nona, by Tomie dePaola
- The Incorrigible Children of Ashton place, by Maryrose Wood (6 books)
- Who Was biography series books (eg: Helen Keller, Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Seuss)
- The Vanderbeekers, by Karina Yan Glaser (4 books)
- My Father’s Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett (3 books)
- Trumpet of the Swan, by E.B. White
- Winnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne
Ages 10-13
- Ann of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery
- Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
- A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleines L’Engle
- Epseranza Rising, Pam Munoz Ryan
- Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling (Books #1-3)
- Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen
- Holes, by Luis Sachar
- Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry
- Redwall, by Brian Jacques
- The Bark of the Bog Owl, by Jonathan Rogers (The Wilderking Trilogy, #1)
- The Call of the Wild, by Jack London
- The Giver, by Lois Lowry
- The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom
- The Island of the Blue Dolphin, by Scott O’Dell
- The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum (The Wizard of Oz Collection, #1)
- Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls
Ages 14-16
- Divergent, by Veronica Roth (Divergent Book #1)
- Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card
- Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling (Books #4-7)
- I Am Number Four, by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies, #1)
- Maximum Ride, by James Patterson (Maximum Ride, #1)
- Michael Vey: Prisoner in Cell 25, by Richard Paul Evans (Michael Vey, #1)
- Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe
- The Circuit, Francisco Jimenez
- The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis
- The Lightening Thief, by Rick Riordin (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, #1)
- The Swiss Family Robinson, Johann David Wyss
Age 17+
- 7 Woman and the Secret to their Greatness, Eric Metaxas
- A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
- Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte
- Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkein
- Out of the Silent Planet, C.S. Lewis (The Space Trilogy, #1)
- The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
- The Power and the Glory, Graham Greene
- The Three Musketeers, by Alexandre Dumas
- Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe
- Until We Have Faces, by C.S. Lewis
Some more resources:
- Read Aloud Revival Booklists: Prepared lists of books to read with your child.
- Honey For a Child’s Heart: Suggested readings broken down by age and interest.
- Good Reads: A great resource for finding books like ones you already enjoy.
- Plugged In Media: A wonderful source for reviews and insights on potential reads.
- Analog Adventure Guide: Books: The reading list I reference in the podcast.
- Four Steps for Finding a Great Book: Resources to help you deep-dive on your own!
- Podcast: Board Games as Analog Adventures: We talk through what makes a great game and how you can pick one for your family.
Listen to the full conversation about books as analog adventures in the Gospel Tech Podcast: Season 3, Episode 13.