Welcome to the Read Aloud Classroom where we’re making picture books work for you even with a packed schedule. Hi, I’m Sarah, an educator who believes in the power of read alouds to transform your teaching without adding to our already full plates.
Can you believe it? We’ve reached episode 50 of the Read Aloud Classroom! I’m honestly amazed and so grateful that you’ve been on this journey with me. And what makes this milestone even more special is that it’s also my birthday week! So today, I thought we’d celebrate both occasions by diving into something really personal—my absolute favorite read aloud picture books.
You know, over the years of teaching and sharing books with countless students, there are certain picture books that just capture my heart every single time. These are the books I reach for again and again, the ones that never fail to spark magic in the classroom, and honestly, the ones that remind me why I fell in love with teaching in the first place.
I’ve narrowed it down to ten of my all-time favorites, and I can’t wait to share not just what they are, but why each one holds such a special place in my teacher heart. So grab your favorite beverage, get cozy, and let’s celebrate together!
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Let’s start with pure imagination! This classic follows the tiny town of Chewandswallow where it rains soup, snows mashed potatoes, and sometimes storms hamburgers—until the weather takes a dangerous turn.
What I absolutely love about this book is how it sparks the most incredible creativity in students. Every single time I read this, kids immediately start brainstorming their own food weather scenarios. “What if it rained pizza?” “What if it snowed ice cream?” The discussions are always so fun and imaginative. Plus, it’s perfect for those writing extensions where students can create their own weather food towns. The creativity this book unleashes is absolutely magical!
Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
This one tugs at my heartstrings every time. When a boy’s tiny pet elephant isn’t allowed at Pet Club, he discovers what true friendship really means.
I reach for this book whenever I need to address inclusion in the classroom. It’s such a gentle yet powerful way to talk about how everyone deserves to belong. What makes this book so special is how it shows kids that sometimes the best solution is creating your own inclusive space. The message that pets—and friends—come in all shapes and sizes resonates so deeply with students, especially those who might feel left out themselves.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Oh, this one! Alexander’s day goes from bad to worse, and by the end, he’s convinced moving to Australia is his only option.
We all have those days—teachers and students alike—and this book validates those feelings in the most perfect way. When I read this aloud, I watch students nod along because they completely understand Alexander’s frustration. It opens up beautiful conversations about how everyone has difficult days and that’s completely normal. Plus, it usually gets kids sharing their own “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad” experiences, which builds such wonderful classroom community.
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Chrysanthemum loves her name until she starts school and classmates tease her about being named after a flower.
This is hands-down my go-to book for the beginning of the school year! Kevin Henkes just captures that vulnerability of starting school so perfectly. I love how this book gets children thinking about their own names and appreciating the uniqueness of everyone’s name in the class. It’s the perfect vehicle for building classroom community and discussing kindness and acceptance from day one. Plus, Chrysanthemum is just such an endearing character—kids can’t help but root for her!
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall, and we experience pure childhood wonder through his eyes.
This Caldecott winner holds such a special place in my heart because it perfectly captures that magical feeling of a snow day. There’s something about the way Peter experiences his snowy world that makes us all slow down and appreciate those quiet, beautiful moments. When I read this, the whole classroom gets this peaceful, cozy feeling. It’s the epitome of childhood wonder, and it reminds us all to find joy in simple moments. Plus, it’s perfect for those cozy winter reading days!
Our Favorite Day by A. E. Ali
Four boys from different backgrounds become best friends throughout the school year as they learn about each other’s holidays and traditions.
I absolutely love this book for building classroom community and celebrating diversity. It shows students how sharing parts of yourself—your traditions, your holidays, your favorite foods—actually brings people together. The way these boys start as strangers and become best friends just by being open to learning about each other is so heartwarming. It’s perfect for discussions about friendship, acceptance, and celebrating our differences. And there’s even a calendar of holidays at the end that kids love exploring!
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari is ready to jump off the diving board… or is he? With his patient dad’s encouragement, he works through his fears.
This book speaks to every child who’s ever been scared to try something new. What I love most is how patiently Jabari’s dad encourages him without pushing—it’s such a beautiful model of supportive parenting and teaching. Students can see themselves in Jabari’s worry, and they cheer when he finally conquers his fear. It’s perfect for discussing courage, persistence, and how it’s okay to feel scared about new challenges. The triumphant ending always gets kids pumped up to face their own fears!
After the Fall by Dan Santat
This brilliant twist on Humpty Dumpty shows what happened after his famous fall—and how he finds the courage to climb again.
Dan Santat is a master storyteller, and this book is such a powerful tale about overcoming fear and trauma. What makes it so special is how it shows that healing takes time and courage comes in small steps. Students are always surprised by this fresh take on a familiar character, and it opens up wonderful discussions about resilience and facing our fears. The ending is so triumphant and hopeful—it reminds us all that life truly begins when we get back up!
Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
This is the fascinating story of Tony Sarg, the master puppeteer who created the first giant balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
As someone who loves the Thanksgiving Day Parade, this book gives such a wonderful peek behind the curtain! Melissa Sweet’s collage illustrations are absolutely stunning, and the story of Tony Sarg’s creativity and innovation is so inspiring. What I love is how it shows students that one person’s imagination and determination can create something that brings joy to millions of people. It’s perfect for November, obviously, but really it’s great any time you want to inspire creativity and problem-solving in your students.
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Brian feels invisible at school until a new student arrives and Brian’s act of kindness changes everything.
This book builds empathy like no other. When I read this aloud, you can feel the classroom’s emotional response—students immediately start thinking about their own classmates and whether anyone might be feeling invisible. It’s such a gentle but powerful reminder that small acts of kindness can make someone’s whole world brighter. The way Brian transforms from invisible to valued friend just through someone noticing him is absolutely beautiful. It always sparks wonderful discussions about inclusion and kindness.
How to Read a Story by Kate Messner
This meta-book walks through the simple, joyful steps of how to read a story, from finding a book to discovering that the end is really just the beginning.
I had to include this one because it captures everything I love about reading and sharing stories! Kate Messner breaks down the joy of reading into these beautiful, simple steps that remind us why we fell in love with books in the first place. When I read this to students, it reignites their excitement about reading. It’s perfect for celebrating reading itself and reminding everyone—including us teachers—that at its core, reading should be pure joy.
And there you have it—my ten favorite read aloud picture books! These are the ones that never fail to create those magical classroom moments we all treasure. Each one has earned its place in my heart because of the connections, discussions, and pure joy they bring to my students year after year.
I’d love to know—do any of these make your favorites list too? Or maybe I’ve inspired you to revisit one you haven’t read in a while? Drop me a message on Instagram @thecolorfulapple and let me know which of these resonates most with you!
Thank you so much for celebrating episode 50 and my birthday with me today. Having you as part of this read aloud community means the world to me. If you’ve been enjoying the show, I’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review—it helps other teachers discover our little community here in the Read Aloud Classroom.
Next week, we’ll be diving into some spooktacular picture books perfect for Halloween! I’ll be sharing my favorite Halloween read alouds that bring just the right amount of fun without being too scary for your classroom.
Thanks for joining me today in the Read Aloud Classroom. Remember, you can find me on Instagram @thecolorfulapple and grab all the resources mentioned today at thecolorfulapple.com. Here’s to many more episodes of celebrating the magic of picture books together!
