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What’s that I see?

My little guy toddling around the corner in just his underwear and cowboy boots tightly gripping his treasures: his snuggly blue satin blanket, a loaded nerf gun and 3 tattered books.

My face relaxes. It must be almost bedtime.

I panic a little.

Please. Lord. Can you make sure he grabbed Pout, Pout Fish, Good Night Moon, and The Lorax tonight? I’m just so tired. I don’t think I will survive reading _____________ tonight.

Come on.

You have to admit that you hide a few of your kid’s favorite books too.

I’m not the only mom out there that would rather eat bark than read “that particular book”.

Reading is a wonderful way to spend time with your kids, but some books are hazardous to your sanity.





I Won’t Tell You the Importance of Reading to Your kids because You already know that stories:

exercise your child’s brain.



improves their concentration.



teaches them about the world. improves their vocabulary and language skills.



develops a child’s imagination. helps children to develop empathy.



My all time favorite read aloud: by the Scottish Granny

You’re gonna want a copy of the Wonkey Donkey!

Recently, I rediscovered Read Aloud Revival. Oh, Sarah Mackenzie, you’re my hero.

In her book, Read Aloud Family, I am reminded stories are the most powerful tool we have in parenting and homeschooling.

It is said that a person who reads lives a thousand lives, but a person who never reads lives only one. What better opprotunity can we give our kids than to live a thousand lives before they leave home? What better way to prepare them for anything they may encounter than to let them slay a thousand dragons, die a thousand deaths, live as heroes.

It is also the best way to infuse vocabulary into their sponge-like minds.

Mandie read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens to her kids. Dickens’s writing is sophisticated and rich, so of course, Mandie wasn’t sure how much of the story her kids were picking up. A few days later, her three year old ran into the room crying. She was upset because her four-year-old brother had called her a “coveteous old sinner” for refusing to share her toys.

Yes, I read bedtime stories to my blue-eyed, blue blanket and nerf-gun wielding toddler with cowboy boots.

But I also read aloud to my 12, 14, 15 and 19-year old sons. (I’d read to my 24-year old too but he grew wings and is on his own)

Enjoying rhythm, humor, crazy phrases, and wonderful adventures.

Laughing, discovering, and yes weeping over the stories we share.

Scooping up fun new phrases like “covetous old sinners”

Getting lost a great story together

Reading aloud had a humble beginning for me and my sons.

I didn’t understand the power of snuggling and reading when I was a new mom. Honestly, I was trying to just “get the boy to settle down and sleep.”

And so it began.

With a boy, a book, and his blanket.

Related: When is the best time to stop reading aloud to your child?

I’ve read The Lorax by Dr. Suess aloud to kids for 40 years now.

First to my little brother, then to my preschool class, now to my own children.

When we’re it as a family, a phrase from the book will pop into my mind and come flowing out of my mouth.

Walking down a forest path where the stunning blossoms of a springtime bloom will catch my eye and remind me of Truffula trees. “All my life I’ve been searching for trees such as these!”

Resting by a lake where the fish are jumping and suddenly they are “humming fish humming”

Recently, my 17-year old brought me a speck and said, “I hear them! I must find a dandelion to keep them safe!”

Horton the Elephant would be proud. And it made my day!

The Pout-Pout fish is an accidental favorite of mine.

Free Printable: Delightful read-alouds for you and your kids

Waiting in line at the bookstore, I picked up a copy and read it aloud to my mortified 12, 14, and 15-year olds. They should know better than to stand next to me and a pile of picture books.

I can’t help myself.

I find children’s books irresistible. Well. MOST children’s book.

Related: FREE 7-Day Activity Toddler Challenge

We all have our favorites.

But which books do you adore ?

? Which Stories delight your soul?

Which tales allow you to hold on to your sanity even though you’ve already read it a bazillion times?

You already know this: Benefits of reading books over and over and over and over…

I believe when you and I make our list of books we can recite with our eyes closed, our lists would be different: but the same.

Read-aloud stories knit us together with our children

flooding their hearts and minds with captivating adventures

filling their imaginations with possibilities and the vocabulary needed to pursue them

gluing our souls together

Oh, mama… Don’t cringe when your little guy brings the SAME book to your lap.

Instead, close your eyes, breathe in deeply and enjoy.

Related: FREE 7-Day Activity Preschooler Challenge

Books about Overcoming Something Big, Scary, or hard

Tutorial: How to create picture books for your child

My little guy with the blue blanket and nerf gun is now a grown man living way too far away. But he and I share a special bond that grew from sharing his favorite books.

We found joy, adventure, and love.

I hope you smile when your little guy or tiny gal come toddling down the hall toting their treasures and books. This time is priceless!

Best List of 71 Delightful Books for Preschoolers

–> Grab the printable version HERE)

Print this free homeschool mom reminder.

This post comes with a free printable reminder list to help keep your heart focused on the heart of homeschooling. I always have the hardest staying focused. This printable simplifies it!

Here is a sneak preview…

Download Your Free Printable

Download the checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join 9,000+ homeschool moms who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas! Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal. Place it on your refrigerator as a helpful reminder.

Want more posts on homeschooling from the heart?

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You don’t need to apologize