Today we’re over at the Read Aloud Revival podcast chatting with Sarah Mackenzie about reading with toddlers! Hop on over to hear what we sound like in real life, and if you’re not already familiar with that podcast you’re in for a real treat. Sarah has interviewed some great folks (Jim Weiss, Melissa Wiley, Sarah Clarkson…) about reading aloud with kids and I’ve loved listening to each episode.
If you’ve found us via the podcast, welcome! Our links at the top of the page are the best way to get to know us, so feel free to poke around a bit. We have over 100 reviews of theological kidlit in the archives as well as lots of “food for thought” posts. We mostly write about the dual importance of truth and beauty in books about God for children, but our second favorite topic is celebrating the church year at home. (Speaking of which, Lent starts soon and we have some great resources for that season here if you scroll down.) We’d love to have you join the ongoing conversation here, so please make yourselves at home.
On the podcast we didn’t talk much about reading distinctly theological books with toddlers, but if you’re curious about our favorites here’s a list to get you started.
- All About Jesus
- All Things Bright and Beautiful
- Animals of the Bible for Young Children
- Baby’s Hug-a-Bible
- Be Blest
- Bible ABC
- Glory
- He Is My Shepherd
- He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
- I Will Rejoice
- Jesus Loves Me
- Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise
- Noah’s Ark
- Psalms for Young Children
- Read Aloud Bible Stories
- Song of Creation
- Stories Jesus Told
- What Is the Church?
- Why Do You Love Me?
One more thing! During the podcast I neglected to mention one of my favorite read aloud strategies for toddlers: tantrum intervention. We read aloud when everyone’s happy, of course, but I’ve also found that when I have a young child melting down, one of the best ways to encourage calming down is to simply pick up a book and start reading. If you ask if they want to read a book they’ll scream “Noooo!” but if you just do it… Magic. 🙂
Aslan's Library 
Ha! I support your toddler tantrum intervention strategy!
Glad to know I’m not the only one who has done that! 🙂
I third that usage!
I finally got to listen to the podcast today and so enjoyed hearing your voice over the air waves, Haley. Every time we pick up ‘Harriet, You Drive Me Wild’ I think of you. I’m really wishing I had gone to a library book sale with you when I was in MN…
I listened to the podcast the other day and loved it! You ladies gave such a great interview, and I now have a new podcast to explore (hooray!). I’m especially looking forward to listening to Jim Weiss’s interview, now that we’ve discovered him (by your recommendation) on Spotify. I’ve yet to get my daughters to move past his Robin Hood stories, though. I’m working on that, because I really want to hear the rest 🙂
I’m just listening to this podcast — I’m delighted to have found your blog! We love Alfie! The illustrations — with toys scattered about and the house looking lived in, just warm my heart. And Gossie! So adorable.
~Lee
http://pocketmousepublishing.com
Yes, those are big favorites around here! Glad you’ve found us – it was so fun to do the podcast!