During a recent talk on reading aloud to our kids as a ministry, I was delighted and surprised to see how hungry attendees were for resources to help them discern which storybooks and novels would guide their kids to the true, the beautiful, and the lovely.

If you’re struggling to decide upon the next read-aloud for your family, or want to start a read-aloud routine and don’t know how to make it happen, the following sites and books may help. Blessings to you!

Websites:

Redeemed Reader

• Highly recommend, excellent source of book reviews for Christian parents

Good Book Mom

• Offers excellent reviews of kids’ books, as well as podcast and article content for subscribers

Read-Aloud Revival

• Extensive book lists and tips for reading with your kids. Subscription required for access to some content

Story Warren

• Started by S.D. Smith, focuses on “holy imagination” and offers both book reviews and inspirational articles about pointing kids to the gospel through stories

Little Book, Big Story

• Blog of Christian editor and writer Thea Rosenberg, offers reviews on children’s books with a preference for picture books

Westminster Kids | Discover Biblically Faithful Books for Children

• New companion site to Westminster Books that exclusively curates kids’ literature. Check out their beautiful trailer — narrated by Nancy Guthrie! — for a sneak peek!

Books for Inspiration and Guidance:

Wild Things and Castles in the Sky: A Guide to Choosing the Best Books for Children

• Beautiful collection of essays on children’s literature, with book recommendations and practical tips throughout

The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in an Age of Distraction

• Written by a children’s book critic for the Wall Street Journal, an inspiring discussion of the merits of reading aloud. Not expressly from a Christian perspective, but a lovely and helpful guide.

Steeped in Stories: Timeless Children’s Novels to Refresh Our Tired Souls

• By Mitali Perkins, who credits children’s literature with opening her heart to Christ. Here she delves into the riches of a handful of classic books that helped shape her.

On Fairy-Stories  (J.R.R. Tolkien)

• This is not a light read, but is worthwhile if you have some time to yourself (and a cup of coffee on-hand!). In this long essay, Tolkien exposits his thinking on the merits of stories, and unpacks how the best stories delight us because they echo the gospel.