Best Read Aloud Chapter Books Series for Kids and Families
Reading aloud to early elementary school students is not only a cherished tradition but also a crucial aspect of their development. It fosters a love for literature, enhances vocabulary, improves comprehension skills, and strengthens the bond between the reader and the child. Choosing the right chapter book series can make this experience even more magical. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best read-aloud chapter book series for early elementary school students, each offering engaging stories, memorable characters, and valuable life lessons. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, these series are sure to captivate young minds and inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Reading is my favorite activity, and I am so glad that my children agree. Having two independent readers in my household has been so much fun! Even though they can read on their own now, my favorite routine of the day is snuggling up and reading together. With children close in age, we often all read the same book serious which is so much fun for meaningful conversation and a lot of laughs.
15 Best Read Aloud Chapter Book Series for Early Elementary Readers
These 15-book series are going to be sure fire hits with your early elementary aged readers that your family will want to read together, or your child can read independently. These books are full of adventure, lots of laughs, and will be picked up from your child’s bookshelf over and over. Adults reading these chapter book series with their early elementary aged readers will love these cute stories as well!
Chapter Book Series That Your Family will Love
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The Questioneers Series
From family favorite Author Andrea Beaty picture books, comes the beloved chapter book series called the Questioneers. This series has 6 books total and is chock full of your favorite well known characters Iggy Peck, Rosie Revere, Ada Twist, Aaron Slater and Sofia Valdez. This is a unique and exciting series of children’s chapter books for children, parents, and teachers who want to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fun. If your child loved the picture books with these main characters graduating to these equally as amazing chapter books for early elementary aged readers are the best purchase. This teachers pick book series also highlights diversity and girls in science which is a huge A plus in my book!
Magic Tree House Series
Magic Tree House is the #1 selling chapter book series of all times. Jack and Annie are siblings and the main characters in this chapter book series. They adventure around the world back in time to complete missions all beginning from a magical tree house in the woods near their Pennsylvania home.
Magic Tree House is a longtime favorite written by Mary Pope Osborne and one that readers will be sure to love. I enjoyed reading this series with my children as much as they did. In fact, we have reread this best red aloud chapter book series start to finish a few times. If you need the whole set, I recommend buying them in bulk as it saves a ton of money.
Eerie Elementary Chapter Book Series
My boys love this early chapter books series, where an elementary school comes alive with adventure and mystery perfect for even reluctant readers. This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Set Includes: The School is Alive, The Locker Ate Lucy, Recess is a Jungle, School Freezes Over, The Science Fair is Freaky, Sam Battles the Machine, Classes Are Canceled, The Hall Monitors Are Fired, The End of Orson Eerie? This chapter book series has tons of pictures which are great for younger children!
Dragon Masters
Dragon Masters is packed full of fun and adventure, magic and lots of, you guessed it, dragons! Drake is 8 and the main character of this series. In the first book in this fully-illustrated series, 8-year old Drake is snatched up by King Roland's soldier and taken to the castle. He is to be trained as a Dragon Master. At the castle, he is joined by three other young Dragon Masters-in-training: Ana, Rori, and Bo. The Dragon Masters must learn how to connect with and train their dragons--and they must also uncover their dragons' special powers. Does Drake have what it takes to be a Dragon Master? What is his dragon's special power? The chapters featured bigger size text as well as illustrations on every page and are geared towards age 6-8 and are a Scholastic Branches series.
Junie B. Jones Series
Laugh yourself silly with Junie B. Jones' hilarious classroom adventures! Now, for the first time ever, ALL 17 of the Junie B. Jones kindergarten adventures are available in one hilarious boxed set! Junie B. Jones heads to kindergarten with her silly style and comic interactions with her teacher and classmates as she navigates what going to school is all about. Perfect for holiday, birthday, back to school, kindergarten graduation, and teacher gifts!
I do not think my family has laughed as hard as we did when we read Junie B. Jones. This teacher recommended book series is a total hoot and makes reading fun for readers of all ages. It is geared towards ages 5-7 and ranks as a #1 bestselling chapter book series for 25 years and counting. This book series has sold over 65 million copies.
Zoey and Sassafras
Even boys will love to follow the adventures of Zoey and her cat Sassafras in this fun early reader chapter book series highlighting a diverse main character.
With magical animals, science, mystery, and adventure -- the Zoey and Sassafras series has something for everyone! Easy-to-read language and illustrations on nearly every page make this series perfect for a wide range of ages.
Each story features a new magical animal with a problem that must be solved using science. There isn't a set formula for each book; Zoey sometimes needs to run experiments, while other times she needs to investigate a mystery, and yet other times she needs to do research. Zoey models how to keep a science journal through her handwritten entries in each story. Each story is complete with a glossary of the kid-friendly definitions for scientific terms used. The series highlights child-led inquiry science and the topics covered align with both Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.
This early elementary independent reader book set is great to have in classrooms and at home!
Fort Builders
We read the entire 4 book series in one day because my STEAM obsessed boys were so into it! A group of friends use teamwork, creativity, and construction know-how to start their own fort building company in the first story in a new, fun-to-read chapter book series that’s perfect for emerging readers!
Caleb could really use a bit more spending money—he needs to buy the next book in his favorite series so he can see what happens! But what can he do to raise funds once his allowance runs out? Caleb puts his head together with his best friend, Jax, and a couple other kids in their neighborhood, and come up with a brilliant idea. They’re going to start their own fort-building business! Good forts are always in demand, and who better to design and construct them than kids? But when Fort Builders, Inc., gets their first gig, the group has trouble agreeing on the right way to go about it. Can they learn to work together in time to build an incredible fort, or will their business be over before it even begins?
Owl Diaries
This Scholastic Branches book set is perfect for young readers, primarily girls! Eva Wingdale gets in over her head when she offers to organize a spring festival at school. Even with her best friend Lucy's help, there is NO way she will get everything done in time. Will Eva have to ask Sue (a.k.a. Meanie McMeanerson) for help? Or will the festival have to be cancelled? This book is written as Eva's diary -- with Rebecca Elliott's owl-dorable full-color illustrations throughout!
Ready Freddy
If you and your child loved Junie B. Jones, then you better snag this 27 book Ready Freddy series to keep the fun going. Meet Freddy Thresher, a first grader who knows it's a jungle out there. A new chapter book series written by an elementary teacher who's seen it all!
Freddy Thresher has a problem: a really, really, big problem. He's the only one in his class who hasn't lost a tooth! All of the other students in Mrs. Wushy's first grade have signed their names on the Big Tooth, and Freddy's determined to get his name on it, too. So when Max "The Meanie" Sellars calls Freddy a baby, Freddy decides he's going to lose that tooth one way or another, even if it means getting punched in the face at recess, or even bigger trouble, with Mom!
Press Start
Meet the hero that video game lovers can’t get enough of! Super Rabbit Boy is the strongest, bravest, fastest animal in all the land, and he's also the star of a video game. These books are very simple so even the most beginner of readers can assist with this good book series!
Newly independent readers and fans of video games will love following Super Rabbit Boy’s adventures as he works to stop King Viking from taking over Animal Town. These books offer fast-paced plots, accessible text, and colored illustrations on every page.
This is a great pick if you’re looking to create a bridge between your child’s love of gaming and time spent with books in hand. This is a series that is a great way to build confidence in reading independently too!
Fly Guy
The "Fly Guy" series, written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold, is a wildly popular collection of children's books that follows the adventures of a lovable and unlikely duo: a boy named Buzz and his pet fly, aptly named Fly Guy.
In each book, readers are introduced to Buzz and Fly Guy as they embark on new and exciting escapades, ranging from everyday adventures to fantastical journeys. Despite their differences in size and species, Buzz and Fly Guy share a deep bond of friendship and curiosity, making them the perfect team to tackle any challenge that comes their way.
What sets the "Fly Guy" series apart is its engaging and accessible format, featuring simple yet engaging text accompanied by colorful and expressive illustrations. The books are designed to appeal to early readers, with short sentences, repetitive phrases, and humorous dialogue that keep young readers entertained and eager to turn the page.
Diary of a Pug
Baron von Bubbles, a.k.a "Bub," is the self-proclaimed cutest pug on the planet! Things he loves: fashion, peanut butter, and his human, Bella. Things he does NOT love: Nutz the squirrel, baths, and the rain. When Bella enters the Inventor Challenge, Bub helps her craft the best project ever. But what happens when Nutz gets on Bub's nerves and makes him ruin Bella's project? If Bub wants to make it up to Bella, he'll have to stand up to Nutz -- and the rain -- once and for all.
With full-color artwork throughout, this funny and charming diary-format early chapter book is perfect for anyone who believes a furry pal is the best kind of friend.
Layla and the Bots
!Layla and the Bots are in an awesome rock band! They also use problem-solving and creativity to build cool inventions. When a local amusement park is in danger of shutting down, Layla knows just how to bring in the crowds... build an amusement park for DOGS! But will cool doggie rides like the Rub-a-Dub Mud Slide and the Tummy Rubbing Machine be enough to keep the park open? With full-color artwork on every page and speech bubbles throughout, this early chapter book series brings kid-friendly STEAM topics to young readers!
Pets Rule
Box Car Children
Feel the excitement of your children loving a book series that you read and loved as a kid! It’s truly the best to rediscover a book series like Box Car Children through the eyes of your child.
With over 70 million copies sold around the world, the first titles that launched over 150 books in the series are available in this handsome boxed set popular with young boys and girls for decades. Published to critical acclaim in 1942, the series has continued to grow with new adventures every year. In these first titles we meet the Alden kids, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny and start to follow them as they explore the world and solve mysteries on their own…and all in the hopes of searching for a home
I hope your family and classroom enjoys this list of the best read aloud chapter books for 1st grade, 2nd grade and 3rd grade. These were the perfect read aloud family chapter books for my kids. Chapter books on this list are perfect for 1st grade readers as well! Easy chapter books are so much fun for kids who are working on independently reading. These family read aloud chapter books are going to bring so much joy to your home!
Flat Stanley:
Flat Stanley is a delightful series written by Jeff Brown, featuring the adventures of Stanley Lambchop, a boy who becomes flat after a bulletin board falls on him. This unique predicament leads to a series of humorous and imaginative adventures as Stanley discovers the perks and challenges of being flat. From slipping under doors to traveling in envelopes, Stanley's flatness opens up a world of possibilities. Each book in the series follows Stanley as he embarks on new escapades, teaching valuable lessons about friendship, bravery, and creativity along the way.
Lighthouse Family Series:
The Lighthouse Family series, written by Cynthia Rylant, follows the heartwarming adventures of a family of animals living in a lighthouse by the sea. The main characters, Pandora the cat and Seabold the dog, along with their adopted mouse family, face various challenges and learn important lessons about kindness, courage, and the beauty of nature. With beautiful illustrations and lyrical prose, this heartwarming story and series captures the magic of friendship and the wonders of the natural world, making it perfect for young readers who enjoy tales of adventure and empathy.
Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder:
The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a beloved classic best series that follows the life of Laura Ingalls, a young girl growing up on the American frontier in the late 19th century. Through Laura's eyes, readers experience the joys and hardships of pioneer life, from building a home in the wilderness to enduring harsh winters and forging deep connections with family and community. With rich historical detail and engaging storytelling, this series offers a glimpse into a bygone era while celebrating the enduring values of resilience, perseverance, and family bonds. I loved these books as a little girl and have so enjoyed reading these classic books with my family as well.
Mercy Watson Series:
Written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, the Mercy Watson series follows the adventures of Mercy, a lovable and exuberant pig, and her owners, Mr. and Mrs. Watson. From unexpected midnight snacks to daring rescues, each book in the series is filled with humor, heart, and plenty of bacon-flavored escapades. With its charming characters and whimsical illustrations, the Mercy Watson series is sure to delight young readers and leave them eagerly anticipating the next installment.
Pippi Longstocking:
Pippi Longstocking, created by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, is a timeless character beloved by generations of readers. With her fiery red hair, freckles, and superhuman strength, Pippi is the epitome of independence and adventure. Living in Villa Villekulla with her pet monkey and horse, Pippi's escapades include befriending her neighbors, outwitting burglars, and sailing the high seas. Full of humor, imagination, and a spirit of nonconformity, the Pippi Longstocking series continues to captivate readers of all ages with its messages of empowerment and individuality.
Judy Blume:
Judy Blume is a prolific author known for her insightful and relatable stories about the challenges of growing up. From navigating friendships and family dynamics to grappling with self-discovery and identity, Blume's books tackle a wide range of topics with honesty, humor, and empathy and make a good read-aloud for . Whether it's the iconic "Are You Theolder kids toore God? It's Me, Margaret," the humorous "Fudge" series, or the poignant "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing," Judy Blume's books have resonated with readers for decades, offering comfort, validation, and a sense of connection during the tumultuous journey of adolescence.
Wayside School Stories:
Written by Louis Sachar, the Wayside School series is a collection of absurd and hilarious tales set in a thirty-story school building that was accidentally built sideways. Each book in the series follows the wacky adventures of the students and teachers of Wayside School, from solving mysteries and thwarting pranks to navigating the eccentricities of their upside-down school. With its zany humor, quirky characters, and unexpected plot twists, the Wayside School series is a favorite among my little boy and young readers who enjoy offbeat and imaginative storytelling.
Percy Jackson Series:
The Percy Jackson series, written by Rick Riordan, follows the adventures of Percy Jackson, a young demigod and son of Poseidon, as he navigates the world of Greek mythology and battles monsters, gods, and Titans. With its blend of action, humor, and mythology, this series has captured the imaginations of readers worldwide, offering a modern twist on ancient legends while imparting valuable lessons about friendship, bravery, and the power of believing in oneself. Whether Percy is embarking on quests at Camp Half-Blood or facing off against mythical creatures in the mortal world, the Percy Jackson series is a thrilling ride from start to finish.
Anne of Green Gables:
Anne of Green Gables" series, written by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, is a timeless classic that follows the adventures of Anne Shirley, an imaginative and spirited orphan girl, as she grows up on Prince Edward Island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The series consists of eight novels, each chronicling different stages of Anne's life: The "Anne of Green Gables" series is beloved for its vivid characters, lush descriptions of Prince Edward Island, and timeless themes of love, friendship, and the power of imagination. Anne Shirley's enduring appeal continues to captivate readers of all ages, making her one of literature's most beloved heroines.
In conclusion, the power of these best read-aloud chapter books and series for early elementary school students cannot be overstated. These stories not only entertain but also educate, instilling valuable lessons and fostering a deep love for reading. From the whimsical world of "Magic Tree House" to the heartwarming adventures of "Boxcar children," each series offers something unique and memorable for young readers. By sharing these stories aloud, we not only create cherished memories but also lay the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of literature. So, whether it's snuggling up with a parent before bedtime or gathering around in the classroom, let's continue to celebrate the joy of reading aloud and the magic it brings to young hearts and minds.
I hope your family and classroom enjoys this list of the best read aloud chapter books for 1st grade, 2nd grade and third grade. These were the perfect read aloud family chapter books for my kids. Chapter books on this list are perfect for 1st grade readers as well! Easy chapter books are so much fun for kids who are working on independently reading. These family read alouds and chapter books on this great list are going to bring so much joy to your home!
