Welcome to our Read-Aloud series!

• Read-Aloud Resources + Tip Sheet 

• 25 “Must-Have” Read-Aloud Authors (you’re here!)

• 10 Ways to Keep Hands and Minds Busy During Read-Aloud

• Incorporating Reading into Your Daily Routine

I think it’s no secret that our family loves the library. We are there three to four times a week: attending story time, participating in book club and LEGO time, and playing with friends in the children’s area.

But can I tell you a secret?

We have the biggest struggle when it comes to finding great books to check out and take home.

I have fond memories of the years we spent borrowing board books for our girls. At both of the libraries we’ve lived near, the books for toddlers were stored in open bins. We’d plop down on the floor and look for new favorites together.

And then our oldest moved up to picture books. Instead of browsing through open bins, now the books were lined up neatly on shelves (or sometimes packed tightly in). Choosing items to take home became sort of “hit and miss” as we’d move slowly down the aisle, looking for interesting titles. We would find a favorite author and check the same books out over and over again.

Those were the years of Maisy, Spot, and all the Liesbet Slegers books we could find.

Now that our youngest daughter is a confident reader, we are spending more and more time looking for beautiful picture books to enjoy together. My husband asked me to make a list of suggested authors to browse when he takes the girls to the library, so I thought I would share that with all of you.

Note: these 25 (+1) read-aloud authors are just a starting point. There are many incredible children’s books waiting to be discovered by your family. I would love for you to leave a comment with any others you would recommend!

Recommended Read-Aloud Author List

1. Ludwig Bemelmans
2. Sandra Boynton
3. Eric Carle
4. Doreen Cronin
5. Tomie dePaola
6. Olivier Dunrea
7. Lois Ehlert
8. Mem Fox
9. Don Freeman
10. Kevin Henkes
11. Ezra Jack Keats
12. Steve Light
13. Leo Lionni
14. Eric Litwin
15. Bill Martin, Jr.
16. Il Sung Na
17. Lori Nichols
18. Patricia Polacco
19. Peter H. Reynolds
20. Cynthia Rylant
21. Alice Schertle
22. Dr. Seuss
23. Samantha R. Vamos
24. Judith Viorst
25. Mo Willems
26. Karma Wilson

You may have noticed I couldn’t quite narrow it down to just 25! And I’m sure I missed a few great ones along the way…don’t forget to leave me a comment with YOUR favorite read-aloud authors.

Want even more recommendations? Grab our list of 52 books for babies here: