Read Alouds

Nicole Maxwell & Tiffany Watson
While read alouds are worthwhile for children’s literacy development at any time of the year, they are particularly fitting for starting off a new school year. Whether you are looking for a book to teach lessons about friendship, classroom behavior, or just to make students laugh, consider reading one of the books reviewed here.

Caboose. Travis Jonker. Illus. by Ruth Chan. (2025). Abrams Books for Young Readers.
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This entertaining book is perfect for the start of the school year, as it focuses on where students fit in the classroom line. Cedric, the hippo, loves being first in line because of all the power it gives him. He will go to considerable, comical lengths to ensure that he is at the front of the line, regardless of how it impacts the array of animals in his class. However, he soon learns that not using one’s line leader power responsibly will get you sent to the back of the line. Now he has to figure out new shenanigans to fit his position in line as the caboose. With simple sentences and plenty of repetition, Travis Jonker weaves an engaging tale that readers may relate to, given their own experiences with lines. Ruth Chan uses ink and digital color illustrations to accentuate the chaotic and amusing storyline. PreK-Gr 2

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Dream a Dress, Dream a Poem: Dressmaker and Poet, Myra Viola Wilds. Nancy Johnson James. Illus. by Diana Ejaita. (2025). Cameron Kids. 
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A beautifully written biography of Myra Viola Wilds, this picture book pairs an inspiring story with brilliant artistry from both author and illustrator. Nancy Johnson James uses a free verse style that mimics the main character’s own poetry to tell her inspiring story of creativity. The poem follows Wilds as she leaves her home in Kentucky to become a dressmaker in a time of turmoil for Black people. The reader experiences the creativity that continued to flow through Wilds, even as she lost her sight and became blind. The story concludes with a charge for the reader to find and harness their creativity, like Wilds did. Just as the story is layered into the poem, Diana Ejaita’s bold images are layered onto a silhouette, representing the dressmaker. She uses colors and textile patterns to weave the images deeply into the story. Gr 3-5

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​Lawrence & Sophia: Big & Bold. Doreen Cronin. Illus. by Brian Cronin. (2025). Rocky Pond Books. 
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Lawrence and Sophia are back as the best of friends. They spend all their time together acting “big and bold” in their adventures and even breaking the rules at times. When Lawrence embraces different adventures with a new friend named Sydney, Sophia feels left out. Sophia decides not to sit around while Lawrence has all the fun, so she endeavors to be “big and bold” on her own and brings Frog along with her. What will become of Lawrence and Sophia? This relatable and amusing tale of friendship is perfect for reading aloud and sparking discussions about expanding friendships. Using poster paint in a mainly pastel color palette, Brian Cronin’s illustrations are eccentric and complement the humor in the storyline well. PreK-Gr 2

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Little Freddie Two Pants. Drew Daywalt. Illus. by Lucy Ruth Cummins. (2025). Philomel.
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In this silly picture book, a dog named Freddie cannot decide how many pairs of pants to wear or where to put them. Readers are sure to laugh out loud as Freddie tries on one, two, and even three pairs of pants at once, along with wearing his underwear in various places. The narrator attempts to guide him as he gets dressed, and his monkey friend joins in the fun, too. Drew Daywalt’s typical humor is on display in this book, and the use of varying sizes and colors of print makes this text work well for story time. The illustrations by Lucy Ruth Cummins are simple yet entertaining, adding to the hilarity of the story. PreK-Gr 2

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The Interpreter. Olivia Abtahi. Illus. by Monica Arnaldo. (2025). Kokila. 
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Cecilia is bilingual–she knows two languages! She loves playing with her friends and helping her family by interpreting English into Spanish at all their important grown-up meetings, such as the doctor, the DMV, and even her own parent-teacher conference. The story follows Cecilia as she does her best to navigate a busy day of interpreting with a good attitude and time for friends. When she just can’t do it all, her family bands together to help. This bilingual book depicts the additional challenges a dual language student may face in day-to-day life. Olivia Abtahi brings light to an experience that, while ever-present in our schools, is underrepresented in children’s literature. Abtahi gives bilingual students a chance to see themselves in a book that is engaging and culturally respectful. Monica Arnaldo blends colored pencils and watercolor to add beautiful illustrations to the story. Gr 3-5

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The Peanut Man. Carmen Agra Deedy. Illus. by Raúl Colón. (2025). Margaret Quinlin Books. 
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Carmen Agra Deedy shares memories from her childhood of el manisero (the Peanut Man), who would visit every night when she lived in Havana, Cuba. They had a special bond, and she is heartbroken when she learns that her family is immigrating to the United States. Deedy recounts how homesick she felt while adjusting to her new life in Decatur, Georgia. One bright spot was listening to baseball games on the radio with her father, especially when their favorite player, Henry “Hank” Aaron, was playing. More cherished memories awaited when Papi took her to a baseball game at the Atlanta Stadium. Raúl Colón’s textured illustrations of watercolor, colored pencil, and lithograph help bring the story to life. Among those illustrations is a powerful double-page spread that depicts her family’s immigration journey from Havana to Decatur with a couple of stops in between. The afterword in the endpapers shares yet another related memory from Deedy’s adulthood. PreK-Gr 3

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The Wild Robot on the Island. Peter Brown. (2025). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
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Adapted from The Wild Robot novel, Peter Brown has created a simpler version of Roz and Brightbill’s story. Roz, a robot who inhabits the island by chance, learns to live in a place for which she was not designed. She builds a home in the land and a community among the wildlife. Roz develops a very special parent-offspring relationship with an abandoned goose, whom she names Brightbill. Roz and Brightbill’s story follows the seasons as they change through the year. Brown uses simple sentences and sweet dialogue bubbles to bring his novel to life as a picture book, and the story is enhanced with deeply colorful, detailed digital images. While Roz and other characters are represented quite simply, the setting is more ornate as the seasons change on the island. An unlikely pair, the robot and the goose show readers what true companionship can be. PreK-Gr 3

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To See an Owl. Matthew Cordell. (2025). Random House. 
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Matthew Cordell uses his ink and watercolor illustrations to bring to life the story of a passionate, persistent young girl. Janie loves owls. She has read books about owls, drawn pictures of owls, and searched for owls in the woods. She has never seen an owl, though. Janie has become discouraged until Mr. Koji inspires her. Mr. Koji is a teacher who shares Janie’s interest in owls. He says to see an owl is magical. He encourages Janie’s passion. Janie takes her learning beyond the classroom, doing all she can to learn more about owls and finally see one. One day, Mr. Koji sees Janie’s map and tells her where she may find owls in the woods. Janie and her mom go out on another search for owls, and this one is unlike the other. This time, Janie sees the hidden creatures of the night. She finally sees an owl, and it is magical, just as Mr. Koji said. PreK-Gr 3

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Willow takes on the Weather. Rachel Noble. Illus. by Annabel Tempest. (2025). Page Street Kids. 
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Willow is an expressive, charismatic little girl who is looking forward to fun in the sun. The weather quickly changes her plans and her emotions. Willow quickly becomes frustrated as Rachel Noble makes Weather an early antagonist through the use of personification. Willow and Weather engage in a push-and-pull battle of wills. Willow wants sun, but Weather doesn’t want to be sunny. Willow’s persistence and a beautifully written character arc take Weather from foe to friend, as Willow learns to make her own fun with wind, rain, and clouds. This lively story aligns well with science standards that require students to observe the weather themselves. Annabel Tempest’s colorful digital illustrations bring Willow’s active imagination to life. The lines used to portray Weather flow across the pages to match Willow’s dancing charisma. The energy of the characters and illustrations is matched through the placement of words and use of onomatopoeia across two-page spreads. Gr K-2

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Wish in a Tree. Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Illus. by Nancy Carpenter. (2025). Nancy Paulsen Books. 
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Lynda Mulally Hunt brings characters from her novel, Fish in a Tree, back in this picture book that honors neurodiversity. Oliver’s brain works differently from the other kids in his class as he imagines his pencil as a rocket and struggles to sit still. He is afraid that he will never fit in at school because of it. While some kids laugh at him, his friend, Albert, reminds him of the beauty that comes from our differences. Albert helps Oliver see how amazing brains like his have led to meaningful inventions, discoveries, and pieces of art. Nancy Carpenter’s detailed illustrations, created from a myriad of materials, help the reader follow the thoughts that race through Oliver’s head and showcase the impact of encouraging friends. This story is a touching tribute to the value of uniqueness and friendship, ideal for reading aloud. PreK-Gr 2

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Nicole Maxwell is a professor specializing in literacy instruction in the Elementary and Special Education Program at the University of North Georgia.
Tiffany Watson is an Early Literacy Specialist whose career has focused on enhancing instructional practices in foundational reading and writing skills across the elementary grades.