What makes a series good for reading together
A series is a natural fit for family reading. Once everyone knows the characters, you can pick up the next book without a long warm-up, and children often look forward to the next installment. A good family series tends to have:
- Characters children care about, whether they are siblings, friends or animals.
- Short, satisfying chapters that work for a single evening.
- Language that sounds good aloud, with rhythm, humor and voices.
- Something for the adult too. Wit, warmth and good storytelling keep the reader interested through repeated read-alouds.
- Content that suits the youngest listener. Check this, as it matters most when siblings of different ages listen together.
Age ranges below are general. Many of these series can be read aloud to younger children than their independent-reading level, and children vary a lot. For more on adjusting up or down, see why age-appropriate books matter.
Series for younger children (about 3 to 6)
At this age, “series” often means a character who returns in many short books.
- Elephant & Piggie by Mo Willems. Two friends, mostly told in speech bubbles, with big feelings and plenty of humor. Great for taking turns reading the parts aloud.
- Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel. Gentle stories about friendship in easy-reader format, often shared by parents and also read by new readers.
- Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne. Quiet, funny stories about a bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. The language is older and gentle, which suits calm reading.
- Paddington by Michael Bond. The adventures of a polite bear who joins a family in London, full of comic mishaps.
If you are looking for books that help young children build vocabulary and speech, our guide to books to help language development lists more picture-book options.
Series for early elementary (about 6 to 9)
- Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne. A brother and sister travel through time and to different places in short, fast-moving adventures. It is popular for children moving into chapter books.
- The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner. Siblings make a home for themselves and solve small mysteries. It is a classic; some older editions reflect their time, so you may want to preview.
- Heartwood Hotel by Kallie George. A gentle animal-hotel series with a seasonal feel, often described as cozy with a touch of suspense.
- Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo. Short, funny books about a pig and her neighbors, with lots of illustrations.
- Ramona by Beverly Cleary. A spirited young girl’s everyday life with her family and school, with humor that adults often enjoy.
Series for older children and the whole family (about 8 and up)
- The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. Siblings discover a magical land in this classic fantasy series. Because it involves battles and some serious themes, many families begin with a slightly older child or preview first.
- Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Stories based on the author’s childhood on the American frontier. These books are widely loved, though some passages depict attitudes toward Native Americans that readers today find troubling. It helps to read with a conversation in mind.
- Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling. A long fantasy series that grows darker as it goes. Families often read the early books together and decide about later ones based on the child’s maturity. Note that opinions of the author’s public statements vary, which some families take into account.
- The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. A story about four sisters and their summer adventures, with a classic, comforting feel.
Series about big families
Readers sometimes want stories about large families, either to see their own reflected or to enjoy the lively chaos. Options include:
- All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor. A series about five sisters growing up in a Jewish immigrant family in early twentieth-century New York. Suitable for around ages 7 to 10 as a read-aloud.
- The Penderwicks (above), centered on four sisters and their widowed father.
- Little House on the Prairie (above), which follows a family through hardship and everyday life.
- Ramona (above), whose family is as important as the school stories.
Age labels vary by publisher and reader. For the youngest listeners, a good rule is to preview the first chapters and see how the child responds.
Picture books about families
Not every family read is a series. Picture books about family life are a good fit for younger children and can lead to conversations about your own family.
- The Family Book by Todd Parr: a bright, reassuring look at the different kinds of families.
- Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson: a tender story about waiting for a parent’s return.
- Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram: a gentle parent-and-child exchange about love, popular at bedtime.
For board-book options that reflect many kinds of families, see diversity board books.
Tips for reading a series together
- Start at book one, unless the series is clearly meant to be read in any order.
- Set a routine. A regular time, such as after dinner or before bed, helps books stick. More routine ideas are in our guide to promoting reading for pleasure.
- Do voices, but don’t stress. Enthusiasm matters more than acting skills.
- Pause for questions. Stop to ask what a word means or what might happen next. See interactive read-aloud picture books for techniques that also work for chapter books.
- Let children draw or build while listening. Many listen better with quiet hands busy.
- Take turns. Older children may enjoy reading a page or chapter.
- Watch for sensitive parts. If a book brings up something hard, pause and talk it through.
- Switch if it isn’t working. There is no obligation to finish a series that nobody enjoys.
Frequently asked questions
What are some of the best read-aloud books for children?
Popular choices include picture-book series for younger children and chapter-book series such as Magic Tree House, Narnia and Little House for older ones. The best read-aloud is one your child asks you to continue.
What’s the most popular book series?
Popularity varies by country and age group, and sales lists change. Harry Potter is often cited as one of the best-selling children’s series, but popularity is not the same as suitability for your child.
What age are the “large family” books for?
It depends on the book. Many classics about big families, such as All-of-a-Kind Family and The Penderwicks, are often enjoyed as read-alouds from about age 7 and up, while younger children may prefer picture books about families.
What are some good books about families?
Picture books such as The Family Book by Todd Parr, and series about sisters and siblings, are good places to start. Consider your own family’s structure and look for books that include it.
Can I read a series to children of different ages?
Yes, but choose a book that suits the youngest listener’s emotional readiness. Previewing helps.