20 Favorite Read Aloud Books for 1st Grade

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Teachers, librarians, parents, and homeschoolers, are you looking for 1st grade read aloud books? Here’s a good list of great books to read aloud to your first (1st) graders. Here is a list of favorite books recommended by first-grade teachers, kids, and me — a mixture of newer titles and classic favorites. You are going to love these books!

How Do I Pick the Best Read Aloud Book?

But first, here are some important considerations when picking a read-aloud book.

Higher Reading Level
Generally, you’ll want to pick something at a harder reading level than your readers are currently able to read. One to two years is generally a good guideline. Why? Because a child’s listening comprehension is higher than their own reading comprehension abilities. Listening to more challenging text introduces new, rich vocabulary to kids. And, of course, learning new words builds background knowledge for their growing success as a reader and writer.

Introduce a New Book Series At The Child’s Reading Level
If you want to get students interested in a book series or author that they can read RIGHT NOW, read the first chapter or first book in that series out loud to them. This will get them hooked on the series. Then, you’ll have introduced new books for independent reading!!

First Chapter Friday is one way to do this — so you’re not reading the entire book, simply introducing it. Honestly, I like this so much! Only reading one chapter gives kids a taste of the book as well as the opportunity for a child to read a book on their own.

Tie in Your Read Aloud Book with a Learning Theme or Topic
Each day as you read aloud to your kids, you have some options for the experience. You can have them listen and simply enjoy the story. OR, you can use the read aloud to teach something specific. In this case, ask your students to listen for something specific, whatever your learning focus is. After you read, then ask students to reflect with a neighbor or by themselves and then share with the whole group or apply the lesson in some way.

What would be some ways to tie your read alouds into lesson plans? You might consider theme, authors craft, literacy skills, or other concepts depending on your content-area curriculum and the grade level you’re teaching.

That’s why for each book below, I am including possible learning connections. I hope they’re helpful.

Recommended Easy Chapter Books for First Grade (Independent Reading)

More Read Aloud Book Lists:

Read Alouds for Families with Kids of Different Ages
Read Aloud Books for 2nd Grade
Read Aloud Books for 3rd Grade
Read Aloud Books for 4th Grade
ALL Read Aloud Book Lists

Read Aloud Books for 1st Grade

The Best Read Aloud Books for First Grade
Mercy Watson to the Rescue
by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Mercy lives with Mr. and Mrs. Watson. They feed her buttered toast and take her for drives in their convertible. One night, Mercy gets scared and decides to sleep with Mr. and Mrs. Watson. Can you imagine what happens next? Hilarious and quirky makes this a perfect book for a 1st grade read aloud.


White Fur Flying by Patricia MacLachlan
Zoe’s family rescues dogs in need. A new family has moved in across the street and Phillip, the boy, has stopped speaking. He doesn’t even want to try. But Zoe’s new rescue dog might just help the boy heal and speak.

The Best Read Aloud Books for First Grade
Gooney Bird Green
by Lois Lowry
Gooney Bird is a very unique student who is unlike anyone else. (And not just because she wears pajamas and tutus to school.) Her adult-like confidence and seemingly made-up life stories enthrall the entire class (even the teacher) but as Gooney Bird says, she only tells absolutely true stories. But how can these incredible stories be true? You’ll see… (Teachers, you will totally crack up with the realistic portrayal of the kids in this classroom.)

The Best Read Aloud Books for First Grade
Lulu and the Brontosaurus
by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Lane Smith
In a word: hilarious. Lulu is a spoiled brat who demands that her parents get her a dinosaur for her birthday. Since they won’t, Lulu decides to find one herself. Which she does. And it turns out that the dinosaur wants to keep Lulu as HIS pet! Will this teach Lulu to behave more kindly? This read aloud is short but worth every minute.

The Best Read Aloud Books for First Grade
Dory Fantasmagory
by Abby Hanlon
Dory is one of my favorite book characters because her imagination is THE BEST! She has three imaginary friends: one monster friend, one fairy godmother (who is really a gnome-like man), and one bad lady nemesis. This book is totally hilarious and you’ll love the child-like illustrations — it’s a favorite book series for so many 1st grade kids, too. Also, see all the Dory books here.

Read Aloud Book List for 1st Grade
A Boy Called Bat
by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Charles Santoso
When Bat’s veterinarian mom brings home an orphaned baby skunk, Bat immediately wants to prove that he can be the best pet caretaker ever in order to keep the kit named Thor. Bat’s life isn’t only about taking care of Thor but going to school and visiting his dad on every other weekend. The author skillfully weaves in Bat’s unique perspective on life showing the characteristics of his neurodiversity.

The Best Read Aloud Books for First Grade
Zoey and Sassafras Dragons and Marshmallows #1 by Asia Citro, illustrated by Marion Lindsay
This is an entertaining, well-written story with the coolest mix of science and magic, a diverse main character, and fantastic illustrations that will get kids reading and learning. Zoey, like her mom, can see magical creatures and is tasked to care for any injured creatures that might need help. In this story, she uses her science skills (including research and the scientific method) to figure out how to care for a sick baby dragon.

read aloud books for 1st grade
The Chicken Squad The First Misadventure
by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Four chick siblings try solve the mystery of squirrel’s HUGE, TERRIFYING, ENORMOUS, FRIGHTENING thing in the yard. The chicks even teach a squirrel the names of shapes so he can tell the chicks that the thing is round and shiny. What can it possibly be? 1st grade kids who love silly read aloud books will like this one.
1st Grade Read Aloud Books
Shivers! The Pirate Who’s Afraid of EVERYTHING
by Annabeth Bondor-Stone & Connor White
Poor land-locked Shivers. He’s terrified of everything, especially snails. But when his sea-faring family of pirates is captured, Shivers is their only hope for rescue. Luckily he meets the daring and adventurous Margo who gets them off of dry land, teaches Shivers about sword fighting and helps him find and rescue his parents. This read aloud book for 1st grade is very comical and will keep your kids thoroughly entertained.
read aloud book list for first grade (1st)
Sofia Martinez My Vida Loca by Jacquline Jules
My Vida Loca is the first chapter book in the series about the adventures of a spunky girl named Sopha — from her singing (that annoys everyone except abuela) to a cooking mishap of arroz con leche that her familia helps her fix. I love the bright pink text that indicates the Spanish words (maybe 1 or 2 a page). In addition, the illustrations are super fun, capturing the emotions and action perfectamente.
1st Grade Read Aloud Books
Ninja Kid: From Nerd to Ninja
by Anh Do
Nelson is a nerdy and likable main character who wakes up on his 10th birthday with perfect vision and… ninja moves! His mum and grandma explain that like his missing fisherman dad before him, Nelson is the last ninja in the world — and he’s destined to save the world. He immediately gets to use his powers for good on a field trip when ginormous evil spiders attack the group of kids.

Emmet and Jez Adventures in Fosterland
 by Hannah Shaw, illustrated by Bev Johnson
Jez is a kitten with three legs who assumes that Emmett (a pig) is a kitten. But Emmett notices that he’s not a very good kitten — because he’s a pig. Eventually, they both move to their Foreverlands. Emmett’s Foreverland is exactly what he dreamed of — a friendly farm with other pigs and cows and many new friends. A sweet, meaningful, sometimes funny read aloud book for 1st grade about kindness and being yourself.
1st Grade Read Aloud Books
Good Dog
by Cam Higgins, illustrated by Ariel Landy
What a sweet beginning illustrated chapter book written from Bo the dog’s point of view! Enthusiastic and full of personality, Bo adores his loving family and his life on the farm. But he worries when his dog tag goes missing. He searches the farm with the help of all the farm animals and his spider friends help him find it.
1st Grade Read Aloud Books
Pug Pals Two’s a Crowd
by Flora Ahn
Sunny’s whole life is turned upside down when her owner brings home a new sister, Rosy. It’s hard to share her owner’s time, and especially hard to share her toys. Adorable illustrations show these personality-filled pugs who eventually develop a solid sister bond while looking for Sunny’s lost Mr. Bunny toy.

Sadiq and the Desert Star
by Siman Nuurali, illustrated by Anjan Sarkar
Not only is this a great STEM story about a young boy who finds the stars to be fascinating, but it’s also a story with diversity because Sadiq’s Muslim family is originally from Somalia. The story is also about how after a field trip to the planetarium, Sadiq and his friends start a space club and work together to raise money for a DIY telescope.
Hilarious — and weird and kooky and very creative! Stinkbomb and his sister, Ketchup-Face think that the badgers (“BAD” is in their name!) stole Stinkbomb’s $20. They embark on the craziest of adventures to get back the $20 including meeting King Toothbrush Weasel who they’ll help to rid the island of the badgers. If you like silly stories, this book is for you!
1st Grade Read Aloud Books
The Dragonsitter
by Josh Lacey, illustrated by Garry Parsons
Written in increasingly funny (and alarming) letters we learn that Uncle Morton left his pet dragon for Edward and his mom and sister to watch — with no directions!! The dragon poops in their shoes, eats their pet bunny, and causes all kinds of destruction which become the topics of Edward’s letters to his nowhere-to-be-found uncle. Finally, Edward hears from his uncle who suggests feeding the dragon chocolate. Will Edward’s mom lose her mind? Will the chocolate work?

Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business
by Lyla Lee, illustrated by Dung Ho
Mindy and her dad recently moved to Florida after her mom’s death. When the other kids at school make fun of her seaweed snacks at lunch, Mindy and her new friend Sally start a snack business to save money for a puppy. This doesn’t go as planned yet it’s a big learning experience showing Mindy to be herself and be proud of her Korean-American culture.

Unicorn Academy: Sophia and Rainbow
by Julie Skyes, illustrated by Lucy Truman
Well-written and charming, this unicorn book series is sure to entrance many young readers. In this story, Sophia arrives at Unicorn Academy and is paired with the lovely Rainbow. But, she feels guilty for making a new friend and leaving her best pony, Clover, back at home. On top of that, the unicorns’ magic is wonky because the lake is being poisoned. When someone accuses Sophia, she and her new friends decide to investigate.
The Best Read Aloud Book List for 1st Grade
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
This read aloud book is a beautiful tribute to friendship. It’s a classic for a reason and in my opinion, one of the best-written children’s books ever. As you probably know, Wilber is a runt pig who is going to be killed. His best spider friend, Charlotte, weaves up a surprising way to save Wilber’s life.

Want More Read Aloud Book Favorites for First Grade?

You might also like…

Freddie Ramos Takes Off (Zapato Power) by Jacqueline Jules and Miguel Benitez

Planet Omar by Zanib Mian

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Brand New School, Brave New Ruby by Derrick Barnes

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes

The Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkin

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

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4 Comments

  1. Thank you for the wonderful book lists on your site. I wanted to add that my seven and four year old boys both love “Jenny and the Cat Club” by Esther Averill and have asked me to read it aloud several times. It’s got sweet vintage charm and timeless, winsome characters.

    1. Thanks, Kate. We love Jenny and the Cat Club! It’s on several of my lists actually because you’re right, it’s darling and timeless.

  2. Love the suggestion to mostly read above their reading level except when you want to get them hooked on a series! A great trick. 😉 Thanks for another great list, Melissa!