Do you want spend more quality time with your kids but don't want to organize events and activities? The answer is between the pages of a book. Set a goal to read aloud with your kids every day. For those of you who enjoy structured guidance when it comes to setting goals and following through, this 2025 Family Read Aloud Challenge is for you!
We've done a Poetry Reading Challenge, a Poetry Writing Challenge, even a Summer Library Challenge and now (drum roll) a family read aloud challenge. Given how pushy I am when it comes to reading aloud to your kids, I must confess I was shocked to discover I had yet to offer you this resource!
This 2025 reading challenge is designed to be flexible enough that you can easily complete it. All you have to do is read aloud to your kids one novel or chapter book each month.
Now, you might be saying, "Too easy! I read aloud at least one War and Peace-length novel to my kids each week!" To which I respond, "That's so good! You'll be able to complete this challenge for sure."
Others may be saying, "Too hard! My kids won't sit still for 5 minutes at a time." To which I respond, "I hear you. That why I've kept wriggling kids in mind with suggestions that will always include a short novel or chapter book." In addition, at the end of this post, I'll give you some handy tips for fitting read aloud time into your busy day.
See? This is gonna be so fun and so easy.
Would all your 2025 goals be so attainable!
How it works:
You already know you only have to read one book per month to be a winner. Each month has a special prompt to help you choose a book. Just before the start of each month, I'll email a few suggestions for books based on age groups. You can use one of my recommendations, or find your own.
If you're not already subscribed to our email newsletter, fill out this form and when you get the read aloud challenge printable, you'll also be subscribed.
Note that this is a novel or chapter book challenge. But, hey! If you want to make it a picture book challenge, go for it. Any and all books you read aloud to your kids count towards your "Best Parent in the World" certificate.
Read Aloud Challenge Monthly Prompts
Each month has a unique reading prompt. You'll choose a book that aligns with the prompt. Some of these prompts have corresponding book lists, and my email reminders will include additional titles and maybe even new books I will have just read!
January: a first book in a series
January is a time for beginnings! Is there a series by a favorite author your kids have been wanting to read? Now is the time. Reading aloud a first book in a series is a great way to encourage them to read. If you pick a book that is at or near their own reading level, they may pick up the rest of the series for independent reading time.
While I don't have a list specifically about series, these lists may be useful in helping you find the right book:
February: a Coretta Scott King Award book
February is Black History Month. The Coretta Scott King Award is given to outstanding works by African-American authors and illustrators. It is designed to encourage "the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and the graphic arts, including biographical, historical, and social history treatments."
Useful lists that contain Coretta Scott King Award books:
March: a science or nature themed book
Observe the coming of spring, by delving into a book that focuses on the scientific and natural world! Ideas for a reading choice could include a fiction book about environmentally-minded kids, a nonfiction book about a favorite science topic, or a biography about a groundbreaking naturalist.
Useful lists:
April: a book featuring a disabled or neurodiverse character
This is the first year I haven't had a poetry theme for your April reading, and I'm not going to lie, it hurts a little bit. However, there are many books written in verse that fit this year's theme and you'll find them on my useful lists!
May: a sports themed book
Get ready to play ball! Or, at least read about it. Chose from a popular sport like baseball or soccer, or search out other sports like dog sledding, cheerleading or roller derby!
June: an anthology
Short stories make great read alouds. With discreet tales to read every day, no one is ever left hanging from a cliff, kids can get the full benefit of learning about literary devices and development in one sitting, and if you don't like the one you start, you can quickly skip to the next tale in your book!
Useful lists:
- Coming soon!
July: a metafictional story
Chances are your kids have already read books with metafictional elements, they just don't know it had a fancy name! Metafictional stories are great for directly engaging the reader or listener and since there are many options across genres, it's easy to choose a book your kids will be interested in.
Useful list: Metafiction in Children's Literature
August: a survival tale
With school on the horizon, some kids may be wondering if they can escape to the woods to avoid homework and cafeteria food. I kid, I kid. But just in case, a harrowing tale of survival will let them know that may not be the best option.
Useful lists:
September: a book set in Latin America
September 15 marks the start of Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month. Celebrate by reading a book set in Latin America. There are Latin American countries in North, Central and South America. Choose one on the mainland, or an island in the Caribbean!
October: a book you read as a child
Here's your opportunity to introduce your kids to a book from your childhood. Is it Anne of Green Gables? Super Fudge? Henry Huggins? The Westing Game? Fingers crossed that your kids love it as much as you did.
November: a book about immigrants
In the US, we celebrate Thanksgiving and remind ourselves that most of us living here are either descended from immigrants or immigrants ourselves. It's a good time to consider the variety of experiences of immigrants, migrants and refugees, as well as how they make meaningful contributions to their adopted cultures.
Useful list:
December: a novel featuring characters with a different religion than yours
Stories about people who live different lives than our own help us develop compassion and understanding. Expand your child's understanding of the world by choosing a book featuring characters that practice a different religion than the one practiced by your family.
How to Find Time to Read Aloud Everyday
Even if you have the best intentions, finding time to fit in reading aloud to your kids can be a challenge for some. The best way to start is to make a commitment to read aloud for 15 minutes every day. And you never know, it might be easier to find 15 minutes than you think!
Tips
Read aloud at bedtime. This is probably the most popular way parents take time out to read to their children. Everyone is (hopefully) relaxed, it's a great way to get kids to stay in bed (well, for 15 minutes at least) and it's easy to keep to a schedule.
Read at meal times. This is one of my top tips for reading aloud to children of different ages. Everyone is at the same place at the same time and you have a captive audience. Sure, you may not be able to get you dinner or lunch consumed, but I found this to be a very helpful technique for my kids who have a 4 year age difference.
Read aloud while waiting. This strategy is harder to keep to a regular schedule, but look at your children's activities. Do you sit on the sidelines with your youngest while your oldest has their music lesson? Are you waiting for one kid to finish up at the dentist while the other one waits for their turn? Stick a book in your purse or in the car (or use an e-reader on your phone) and you'll be able to read aloud during those moments where you might otherwise hand a screen over to keep them busy.
Read aloud during chores. Their chores, not yours! Perhaps you require your child to pick up their room and make their bed every day. Can you read aloud to them while they perform the task? It will make the chore more enjoyable for them and perhaps with the prospect of story time, you won't have to ask them forty-five times to make their bed!
I hope you join the challenge!
Charlotte says
Hi Erica! Thank you so very much for the lists of books you always share. I have been using your recommended books and tips on reading. As I write now, the kids have developed a love for reading. Even those who would never open a book to read on their own! Many Blessings to you for your had work!
Erica says
Hi Charlotte! That's wonderful to hear. I'm glad the book lists have been helpful. Happy reading!
Debby Chase Putman says
Good Morning Erica,
I write middle-grade stories with the same goal in mind: to encourage kids of all ages to use their imaginations rather than rely on the internet for answers and entertainment. I love your ideas and book suggestions, and the clever way you have arranged them for a year of fun and possibilities. Looking forward to exploring more of your links. Thanks for all you do!