Reading aloud to kids increases their vocabulary, helps improve their attention span, and is a great way to spend time with them. But really, the best reason to read to children is how much fun it is for everyone!

Wednesday, February 2 is World Read Aloud Day, which is now enjoyed by millions of people in 170 countries. To celebrate this special day, I have rounded up some perennial favourites that are truly magical when read aloud to children (and grown ups).

Moo, Baa, La, La, La! by Sandra Boynton

Sandra Boynton’s board books are ideal for the tiniest babies. They’re rhyming, feature lots of cute animals, and you get to make lots of noises, like this one where you get to moo and baa along with the farm animals. It’s an utter joy to read aloud and before too long the kids will be making animal noises along with you!

For little ones aged 0 and up.

Tabby McTat by Julia Donaldson

All Julia Donaldson’s books are wonderful read-alouds, but this one was a particular favourite in our household, perhaps because of the charming McTat or was it the song that he likes to yowl out of tune with his busker friend?

This edition comes with a CD that includes an audio performance of the song, in case you’re not game enough to sing it yourself.

A rhyming read-aloud for ages 2 and up.

Who’s Your Real Mum? by Bernadette Green

When Nicholas wants to know which of Elvi’s two mums is her real mum, she gives him lots of clues. Her real mum is a circus performer, and a pirate, and she even teaches spiders the art of web.

This is such a fun read-aloud as Elvi finds unusual ways to answer the question, but ultimately this is an affirming, delightful story about the most important quality in families - love!

An fun, inclusive story for ages 3 and up.

Wilam: A Birrarung Story by Aunty Joy Murphy & Lisa Kennedy

Wilam means home in Woiwurrung, the language of the Wurundjeri clan, and this stunning story depicts the many creatures who call Birrarung (the Yarra River) home, as it slowly winds from the mountains to the bay. As you read, you effortlessly learn Woiwurrung language for the river and its inhabitants. Including a brilliant glossary at the back, this is a wonderful read-aloud.

A First Nations read-aloud for ages 4 and up.

Do Not Lick this Book by Idan Ben-Barak

This fun interactive picture book is also a fascinating science lesson about microbes. Readers are introduced to Min, a cartoon microbe, and encouraged to press the page with their finger to pick Min up and take her on a journey to touch your teeth, clothes and belly button. There is definitely a serious ‘ick’ factor to this book, but the upside is that, not only is it hilarious, but kids will be more inclined to brush their teeth and wash their hands afterwards!

A hilarious science-based read-aloud for ages 4 and up.

The Lorax by Dr Seuss

When I was five years-old, I had to have this book read to me every single night or I would not go to sleep. My poor parents! But its such a rhyming classic and so memorable that I still know most of the words.

Dr Seuss was a genius for rhyming stories that just rolled off the tongue and this book is one amongst many that are an absolute delight to read aloud. Personally, I’m still searching for my own truffala trees…

A tree-loving read-aloud for kids aged 4 and up.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

What could be more exciting than a kid who has her own monkey, is so strong she can lift her horse, has a basement full of gold, and no parents around to tell her what to do?

Countless children have been entranced with the antics of Pippi Longstocking down through the generations and it is as fresh and fun today as it was when it was first written over 50 years ago.

A cheeky read-aloud for ages 5 and up.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

All the stories by Roald Dahl are ideal to be read aloud, but this classic rags to riches tale is arguably the finest.

Come along with Charlie Bucket on the journey of a lifetime and laugh at the antics of the badly behaved children he must tour Willy Wonka’s factory with. I guarantee everyone will be dreaming of chocolate after a read-aloud session of this one.

A fun read-aloud for ages 6 and up.

The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor

For older readers, there are many wonderful books that both parents and child will enjoy immensely. This book set in 1893 in the Cole’s Funny Book Arcade springboards from historical fact into a magical battle of wits between a magician and Pearl and Vally Cole for the future of their family and beloved bookshop.

It gets a bit hair-raising on occasion, so this story is not for the easily scared, but fact and fiction are skillfully weaved into a spellbinding tale that will have everyone enthralled.

A thrilling tale for ages 7 and up.