When children learn to read on their own, it opens up a world of possibilities for them. Their imaginations grow, their vocabulary expands, and their ability to entertain themselves grows exponentially. But, as a mom, it can be hard to let go of reading out loud, as it's such a precious activity to share with your kids. But there are so many books your kids can and should read on their own. Because while reading to your children is a wonderful way to get them started, it's also important to foster a sense of excitement over reading things themselves.
My mother instilled a love for reading in me at a very young age, and when I learned to read on my own, I devoured books at an alarming pace. I owe so much of my personal progress as a child (and an adult, to be honest) to the books I read. Reading on your own as a child gives you a chance to stretch your imagination, to spread your wings, and to travel to far off lands. It also gives you a chance to come to your own conclusions about things. Sometimes, children learn the best lessons when you give them the chance to fly on their own. So if you're ready for your child to spread their wings in the library, why not check out some of these great books for kids to read on their own.
1
'Goodnight Moon' by Margaret Wise Brown
Goodnight Moon is a classic that you can start your kids out by reading it to them before bed, then let them take over and read it to you as they learn themselves.
2
'Harold And The Purple Crayon' by Crockett Johnson
Full of imagination and adventure, Harold and the Purple Crayon is the perfect book to encourage your children to create a world of their own within the pages of a book.
3
'Madeline' by Ludwig Bemelman
Madeline began my life long love affair with the city of Paris at a young age. Not to mention, the rhyming makes it so fun to read.
4
'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory' by Roald Dahl
With a protagonist that is honest and brave, and a backdrop so wild and magical that it sucks readers in immediately, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a wonderful book that encourages not only morals in young readers, but imagination too.
5
'Stuart Little' by E.B. White
Shy and thoughtful, Stuart Little takes readers on an adventure when his best friend disappears. A lovely and exciting read for any child who might not be the most extroverted of kids, showing them that even the littlest mouse can save the day.
6
'Where The Sidewalk Ends' by Shel Silverstein
Both incredibly funny and incredibly profound, Where the Sidewalk Ends is a beautifully illustrated classic collection of poetry that will not only make your kids laugh so hard they cry, but teach them the joy of poetry in the process.
7
'Anne Of Green Gables' by L.M. Montgomery
One of the first chapter books I can remember re-reading multiple times, Anne of Green Gables finds herself mistakenly in the care of a couple who were expecting a boy. A must-read for every child.
8
'A Wrinkle In Time' by Madeleine L'Engle
Before dystopian fiction ran rampant, there was A Wrinkle In Time. Equal parts adventure and education, this classic book will never grow old.
9
'Walk Two Moons' by Sharon Creech
Weaving together two tales, Walk Two Moons is a tale of love, loss, and how to deal with it all at a tender age.
10
'Wonder' by R.J. Palacio
In a society where bullying is too common a tale, Wonder stands out as a winner, trampling stereotypes and teaching kindness at its heart, leaving readers with food for thought.
11
'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee
Yes, chances are good that your child will have to read this in school. But offering To Kill a Mockingbird to them as an option before they make it to the curriculum stage of the book will not only help prepare them, it'll help them appreciate the themes of the book even more.
13
'Bridge To Terabithia' by Katherine Paterson
Loss can be so hard to deal with as a young adult, and even harder to understand. Bridge to Terabithia does an excellent job of working through loss, and teaches a few sentimental lessons along the way.
