Oct 29, 2026
Studies show reading helps with vocabulary, writing skills, attention span and memory. Even for the littlest kids, reading aloud with mom or dad is the most important activity when it comes to preparing children to read on their own.
And the best way to share a love of reading with your kids is to guide by example as you sit and read a book. (Bonus, less screen time!) Here are some of our favorites:
Goodnight Moon
By Margaret Wise Brown & Clement Hurd
$6.91; Ages: 0-4
Publisher: HarperCollins
Amazon.com
This children’s classic sets the mood for sweet slumber, as little bunny says goodnight to things around him. Recommended by Stella, age 5, granddaughter of Andrea Rose, KCFM contributing writer.
By Sandra Boynton
$4.34; Ages: 1-3
Publisher: Boynton Bookworks
Amazon.com
This rhyming books takes little ones into the barnyard for some dancing fun! “This is probably the first modern board book I read to my daughter 32 years ago and I have bought it as a baby shower gift for many new moms,” said Andrea Rose, KCFM contributing writer. “It’s just super fun to read out loud!”
By Doreen Cronin & Betsy Lewin
$8.99; Ages: 1-6
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Amazon.com
What do you do when you’re a farmer and your cows spend the day typing you notes? It’s a hilarious tale! “I even have the matching cow stuffie,” said Vaun Thygerson, KCFM contributing writer.
By Maurice Sendak
$8.75; Ages: 2-5
Publisher: HarperCollins
Amazon.com
This book by the author of “Where the Wild Things Are” introduces kids to the months of the year. “I’ve always loved this book! My mom read it to me and I read it to my daughter and now my granddaughter loves it,” said Andrea Rose, KCFM contributing writer.
By Ellen Raskin
$6.98; Ages: 10+
Publisher: Puffin Books
Amazon.com
This Newbery Medal-winning book tells the mysterious tale of what happens when 16 people come together for the reading of a wealthy millionaire—and the game they must play to inherit money. “The character development makes it my all-time favorite,” said Brooke, daughter of Andrea Rose, KCFM contributing writer.
By Shelby Van Pelt
$11.99; Ages: 15+
Publisher: Ecco
Amazon.com
This New York Times Bestseller is now a Netflix film. It tells the heartwarming story of a woman, her missing son and a giant Pacific octopus who holds the key to everything. Recommended by Lisa Keosouphanh, KCFM Operations Assistant & Social Media Coordinator.
By Gabriel García Márquez
$10.43; Ages: Adult
Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Amazon.com
This book won the Nobel Prize in Literature for its tale of the mythical town of Macondo through the history of the Buendiá family. “My son is named after the author,” said Callie Collins, KCFM social media coordinator.
By Zoulfa Katouh
$19.99, Ages: 17+
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Amazon.com
“Imagine for a moment the gut-wrenching reality of living with the constant fear of death. Salama’s desperate journey towards love, hope and freedom still lives in my memory long after I finished the book. I’ll never stop recommending it.” Said Selena Ferguson, KCFM follower and voracious reader.
By Carolyn Keene
$74.99, Ages 9-12
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Amazon.com
Teenage sleuth Nancy Drew is a beloved cultural figure and inspiration for generations of women. Join this adored investigator in some of her best and classic stories. Danger and mystery abound in this suspenseful series! Recommended by LJ Radon, KCFM Owner & Publisher.
By Lucy Maud Montgomery
$17.95, All ages
Publisher: L.C. Page & Co.
Amazon.com
A mid-twentieth-century classic children's novel, it follows Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan mistakenly sent to late-19th-century Prince Edward Island to live with siblings who expected a boy to help on their farm. Recommended by Anastasia Hopper, KCFM reader.
By James Clear
$8.55, Ages 22+
Publisher: Avery
Amazon.com
No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. Recommended by Anastasia Hopper, KCFM reader.
By Eric Carle
$9.35, Ages 2-5
Publisher: World Publishing Company
Amazon.com
The all-time classic picture book starring the world’s favorite caterpillar! Generations of children have grown up on this beautifully dramatized story of a caterpillar who eats his way to becoming a butterfly. Recommended by Shellie Billings, KCFM reader.
