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Reading out loud to your children can be a most cherished time for you and your family.  It’s not just the enjoyable stories that make this a memorable experience, but the time well spent with those you love most!  Reading one or two chapters each night enables a listener to anticipate a long and exciting story that could last for several weeks. And picture books allow younger listeners to experience the great read aloud books that beg to be read aloud.

I've prepared a list of some of the best and newest picture books that are perfect for reading out loud. However, these outstanding picture books will be enjoyed by all ages. In fact, I'll bet there will be many English and Speech teachers in higher education that will love these books for their students.  Each of these books is rich with lush language, dialect, humor and colorful pictures. And the great thing about these picture books is that they are perfect for a quick read that can easily be started and finished in one sitting.

"The Toughest Cowboy", by John Frank, is so fun to read aloud that you'll have your youngest to oldest buckaroo rollin’ in laughter. The rollicking western slang is rich and full and fun to read. “Grizz Brickbottom was the toughest cowboy ever to drive a herd of cattle across the open range. He drank a quart of Tabasco sauce a day, flossed his teeth with barbed wire, and kept a rattlesnake in his bedroll to cool his feet at night.” With the story starting out like this, you get the message that Grizz is one ornery feller. But what happens to him and his cowpoke buddies will have even your sourest listener smiling (and probably laughing) at the end!  Also, the incredible oil paintings, by Zachary Pullen, fill the pages.

"Mr. George Baker", by Amy Hest, is a clever first person dialogue told from the viewpoint of a little boy. As he sits on a porch with an old man, both are waiting for the school bus that will take them to school to learn how to read. “…George can't read. A hundred years old, and he never learned how. ‘That must be corrected,’ says George.’” You soon learn that George was a drummer back in his day because the rhythm of his tapping and dancing. This little gem of a book will not only inspire all to appreciate the ability to read, but enhance relationships between the young and the old!  The rich and warm watercolors are done by one of my favorite award-winning illustrators, Jon J. Muth.

"There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Boot", by Linda Smith and illustrated by Jane Manning, is a hilarious rhyming read aloud. The verses are set in perfect rhythm so that as you read the funny text, you easily fall into the rhythm of the story. (You might even begin to sing the words!) “There was an old woman who didn't like children. Who lived in a musty old, crusty old boot, Who had an old cat who didn't like kittens, who didn't like anything little or cute.”

"Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse", by Linsay Barrett George, is a quick read with very few words on each page. But don’t let the simplicity of the book take away the clever text. The story has two different mice, one from inside a house and the other that's outside. The different perspectives are illustrated on a 2-page spread illustrating each mouse as he progresses towards an unknown location. Where is each mouse going? There’s a surprise at the end.

"Sure As Sunrise: Stories of Bruh Rabbit & His Walkin’ Talkin’ Friends", by Alice McGill and illustrated by Don Tate, will surely have your listeners on the edge of their seats as they learn about all of the entanglements Bruh Rabbit and his friends get themselves into! These stories from the South are based on tales and stories that have been passed on to the author from her parents and grandmother. There are 5 tales and each will take a little longer, but still can be completed in one sitting and well worth it!

"The Three Silly Billies", by Margie Palatini, is a riotous read that is filled with luscious language. Three Billy Goats by the name of Billy Bob, Billy Bo and Just Plain Billy, are attempting to cross a bridge. A very nasty looking troll, illustrated with comedic deftness by Barry Moser, insists on payment from the goats. So, they wait until others can come along to help pay the fee. “With a splish, a splash and a slosh, the Three Silly Billies grabbed their rubber duckies and jumped into their car pool.” (I only wish that the illustrator hadn't drawn little heart tattoos on the arms of the goats. Luckily they can only be seen on one page.)

“Dusty Locks and The Three Bears", by Susan Lowell and illustrated by Randy Cecil, is a western version of the familiar fairy tale except that this little heroine is in need of a bath. This one is great fun to read aloud!

“Detective LaRue: Letters From the Investigation", by Mark Teague, is another edition of the famous "Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters From Obedience School"  Mr. Teague has ingeniously written sad letters from a dog that feels wrongly accused as he writes to his vacationing owner. The illustrations are comical as one shows a colorless picture depicting the treacherous life Ike, the dog, is leading. But on the opposite page, the colorful pictures demonstrate the reality of Ike’s life, which is quite pleasant!  Kids will love this one!

“The Royal Mice:  The Sword and the Horn", by Loretta Krupinski, is a magical tale about a queen who hires a very sinister and crafty cat to rid the castle of some rather nice and benign mice. The story is fun and interesting and the pictures are delightful.

So happy reading out loud! But beware, this will probably turn into a nightly habit. So, make TIME!