50 Books I read in 2023: (part 3 of 3)

the Read-alouds

Reading Girls, Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky

If you would have told my 29-year-old self a decade ago that I was going to read 50 books in a year, I probably would have cried. At the time I had a 3-year-old, a 1-year-old, and a 2-month-old baby, and I’m not sure I read any books at all that year. To every thing there is a season, and I am entering a wonderful season bursting with reading of every kind. So if you’re feeling discouraged with where your reading life is currently, don’t dismay. A year without reading doesn’t mean that you will always be without. Start small, plant a seed, and read for ten minutes a day. Watch it grow. You may end up as amazed as I am with where you end up.

To wrap up my year of reading, here are the books I read-aloud in 2023:

Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois

A charming, humorous, imaginative story of a schoolteacher who takes off on a year-long journey around the world in a hot air balloon, and the adventures he has due to an unexpected early crash landing on a uniquely settled island. A short, fun family read-aloud that we all enjoyed.

The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis, read by Kenneth Branaugh

When you marry the literary genius of C. S. Lewis with the theatrical prowess of Kenneth Branagh... you get this masterpiece. I couldn't have loved it more and I cannot wait to experience it again. I am incapable of tiring of Lewis' prose, no matter how many times I've read it. It's just that good. [Update: we are listening to this again right now!]

Our Island Story: A History of Britain for Boys and Girls by H. E. Marshall

An incredible, narrative-style history of England starting with the invasion of the Romans (around 55 BC) through the year 1901. I used this as a read-aloud for all of my older four children (ages 7-12) during Morning Time, and I think I actually loved it more than they did. Let's just say I didn't get a fantastic overview of British history during my own education, but I'm getting one now as a homeschool mom.

The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

This was a story that I wanted to step inside of and embody. I loved Moonacre Manor and all of the quirky, interesting people in it, and the beauty of the gardens and the castle itself was the stuff of every girl's dreams. The description of each meal and tea was exquisite. If you're looking for a fast-paced, action-packed story, this isn't the book for you. But if you want a beautiful story of love, adventure and redemption, with a touch of enchantment, look no further. I can't wait to discover more books by Goudge.

The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

My husband read this aloud to our children, and shockingly, this was my first time through it. I can’t wait to read the other two. I think my favorite themes (thus far) from the series are friendship and hospitality.

The Story Girl by L. M. Montgomery

This was quite fun to read aloud to my children because it was one that I read repeatedly myself as a child. It doesn't have much of a plot at all; --this book is one that conveys a time and place and a mood so well and I just love it. The children are so carefree & anchored to the place they live; I love all the stories woven throughout, especially the ones about the children's ancestors. One of my favorite details is the orchard, and how each tree there was planted when a baby was born, and the fruit that tree bears is named after that person. So they talk about eating Aunt Olivia's sweet apples, or Uncle Alec's plums. How lovely is that? Montgomery tells beautiful stories about enchanting, magical places, and captures with this story the magic of a carefree childhood summer with perfection.

Fifty Famous Stories Retold by James Baldwin

Wonderful collection of short stories introducing children to famous historical figures such as Alfred the Great and Alexander & Bucephalus. These stories are best for the 10 and under set, since later reading will flesh out these characters with more detail.

Birchbark Brigade: A Fur Trade History by Cris Peterson

Fascinating overview of the North American fur trade with great primary sources included throughout. Ideal for grades 5-8, but would be useful as a resource for older students as well. I will definitely will revisit this one in a few years with my younger kids who missed it this time around.

Viking Tales by Jennie Hall

This book describes the adventures of King Harald of Norway as well as various Viking adventures from Iceland to Greenland to America. Great introduction for children to the Vikings.

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford

Beautifully written adventure story following two dogs and a cat across the unforgiving Canadian wilderness, intent on reuniting with their family. Highly recommend this as a read-aloud for all animal-loving/nature-loving families.

The Children’s Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Padraic Colum

The perfect introduction to Homer (both The Iliad and The Odyssey) for children of all ages. Highly recommend, especially the audio version.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Absolutely fantastic read-aloud, and I can't believe it was my first time reading this classic. Full of suspense, adventure, thrills, and all the fun pirate tropes. I would recommend having a dictionary handy to look up the unfamiliar sea-faring terms which come up frequently. [Note: this definitely is full of violence/murder, so be aware of that if you have sensitive children.]

Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Fantastic read-aloud; although I think I enjoyed it more than my children did. I loved this story of an overprotected young girl and how she became courageous and self-confident through the wonderful help of loving family members. We will definitely be reading this one again.

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Can't believe this was my first time through this classic. I read it with my 10-year-old, and while it started slow and she complained about it at first, it really picked up about halfway through and she zoomed through the second half. Great adventure story, and an easy read. [There is some cannibalism in here, so be aware/pre-read before handing it to a child.]

Bambi by Felix Salten

Salten was obviously a keen observer of nature; his descriptions of animals and various details of the forest and the seasons are impressive in their clarity and detail. This is emphatically not a story for very young children; it presents realistic and at times bloody scenes in the forest for the animals who must deal with the reality of man as hunter.

Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen L. Taylor

This is actually an account of two separate young Pilgrims (Christian & Christiana) and their journeyings to the Celestial City. A read-aloud to all of my children, we enjoyed this adaptation of the John Bunyan classic, but next time we read it I will only read the first account (Christian's). Reading both journeys back-to-back grew a bit tedious and repetitive. The analogy of our journey in life to a perilous quest is a useful one, and I think we will be ready for the real Pilgrim's Progress very soon.

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

This is a perfect introduction to the wilderness survival/naturalist genre; there really isn't an age too young for this one--even my five-year-old son was engaged as I read this aloud. Sam Gribley, the protagonist who runs away from home to live in the Catskill mountains, never faces anything perilous, making it a safe read for the entire family, no censoring necessary. The descriptions & observations of nature are truly the shining stars of this wonderful story.

Do you read-aloud? If so, I’d love to hear your favorites!