Day 47 of #LiveWell2017

One of the things I’m most grateful for is having had the chance to be a school librarian for part of my career. Helping kids get excited about reading and finding books that opened up the world to them was an honor and a delight.

Today is World Read Aloud Day – a day for “spreading the love for reading.” It brings attention to the power of words and reading to foster curiosity, community, confidence, and hope. In that spirit, here is a list of 10 picture books that you can read aloud with your kids or friends or family members, or all by yourself if you prefer.

You’re never too old to read a picture book. In fact, I think all adults would benefit from re-visiting the stories and lessons in a lot of great kids’ books. The ones listed below focus on kindness, mindfulness, generosity, and friendship, and they’re good lessons for all of us to learn at any age.

• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• The Other Way to Listen by Byrd Baylor
• Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
• The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau
• City Green by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan
• A Handful of Quiet by Thich Nhat Hanh
• Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud
• Feelings by Aliki
• All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka
• A Quiet Place by Douglas Wood

Do you have a favorite kids’ book that you like to read aloud – one that shares a story of kindness or generosity, curiosity about the world, or mindfulness? Please share it in the comments section.