Staff Favorites: Kids Books to Read Aloud

There’s just something about a good children’s book and the way that its colors, characters, and plot can stick with you—even into adulthood! The rhythm of the words, the turn of a page, the voice of someone you love bringing the story to life… it all has a way of shaping us long after story time ends. We asked our staff to share their favorite books to read aloud—whether it’s a classic they grew up with, a story they now read to their own kids, or a book that never fails to get a laugh (or sentimental tears). Keep reading to find out the kid’s books they can’t stop turning pages to and why they love them so much! 

“Goodnight Moon is an all-time classic for me! The book’s colors and illustrations are iconic. I loved it as a kid, and getting to read it to my daughter now is such a cool, full circle experience!” – Connor “Flow” Barry, Ridge Camp Director 

“You are Special by Max Lucado is my favorite kids’ book to read aloud! It always makes me cry when I get to the part about the Maker loving Punchinello simply because “You’re mine, and I made you.” I love reading that book to kids because I hope it helps them see how much the Father loves and cares for them.” — Chance Howard, Southeast Executive Assistant

“My favorite book growing up was this book called Carl Goes Shopping. It actually doesn’t have any words, but it tells this story of the family dog being left in charge of a baby in the mall. It’s a very sweet book that I’m excited to show my kids one day!” — Colin “Sneaky Pete” Post, Ridge Associate Director

“Moo, Baa La La La! My mom would always read this book to my siblings and I growing up – a classic. Also, You are Special. Whether you’re 6, 26, or 66, this book is for you! It’s a sweet children’s book written to remind you where your true identity is found. I was in Ashley Boshell’s, my camp director’s wife, small group the first time I heard about this book. When I left the Towers to become the Outback Women’s Director, the Boshells gifted me a copy of this book. I now read this to my small group every summer!” — Kate “Bones” Swanner, Outback Women’s Director 

“I loved Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. It was a classic bedtime story. I can recall my mom rocking me in a chair and whispering the story as a way to lull me to sleep (what a sweet visual image, right?). My family has an old copy that has been passed down from me to my nephews and nieces. I now have been able to read the same story to them. It’s a full-circle moment for Goodnight Moon.” — Eli “Peter Porker” Creasy, Digital Operations and Media Manager

“One of our family favorites is the Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Willems! These books have great illustrations and tell simple, humorous stories. When my kids were younger, my dad would read the books out loud while my kids played the different characters. One of our favorites is Watch Me Throw The Ball!” — Jared Schuler, Vice President of Forge/City 

“My favorite book to read to my nephew is Grumpy Monkey. It’s a story about a monkey that just has a grumpy face and as he is walking through the jungle, all the other animals are asking him “Why are you grumpy?” Every time he responds with “I’M NOT GRUMPY!” I love it because I can walk up to my nephew and ask him why he is grumpy and he will get a little smile and then he scrunches his face together like grumpy monkey and yells “I’M NOT GRUMPY!” — Lance “Socks” Gilliand, City Site Director

“When I was four years old, I read Cars and Trucks from A to Z by Richard Scarry until I wore out the pages. I would sit in the laundry room and read it to my puppy over and over again! Honestly, I doubt I even knew how to read all of the words. I’m sure I just made up the story as I “read” it. I loved it so much that I named the puppy “Bugdozer” after a character in the book! My mom saved the book and I still have it after all these years.” — Stacy Colvin, Senior HR & Benefits Generalist

“We loved reading the Skippyjon Jones books to our kids when they were young. It’s a series about a Siamese Cat that pretends to be a Chihuahua. They were fun to read and had fun stories with a lot of characters we could do different voices with.” — Rob “Change Up” Harris, CPA 

“I loved the book Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes growing up. I used to have my mom read it out loud to me ALL. THE. TIME. My favorite part is when her teacher names her daughter after her. It made me appreciate and love my own name even more than I already did! — Addi “Flush” Parker, Ranch Women’s Director

“My favorite books when I was little were the Berenstain Bears! My mom had a different voice for every character, I loved it so much. And then for me personally to read aloud—I remember once in my 6th grade English class we were reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and some days we’d read the play version out loud. My class voted me to be Veruca Salt, and I would do all of her lines in a British accent!” — Remedy “Bo-V” Applegate, Development Coordinator

We hope these staff favorite read-alouds find their way into your homes and hearts! Whether you’re sharing them with your kids, nieces and nephews, campers, or simply revisiting a sweet memory from your own childhood, there’s something special about slowing down, turning a few pages, and entering into the imaginary world of a good story. Ready. Set. Read!