Books for Reading Aloud


Gavin from Northern Ireland is an au pair in Washington, USA.
Gavin from Northern Ireland is an au pair in Washington, USA.
Photo courtesy of InterExchange

Children love reading stories. Libraries are great places to bring children and find new books to read together. Even though you aren’t in the U.S., many non-English speaking countries have large ex-pat communities with libraries containing English sections. Reading is a great way to not only practice and add to your host kids’ vocabulary and reading skills, but also a fun way to bond with them. Below are some popular book choices.

Short Novels

(Appropriate for the elementary school-aged child)

  • The Goosebumps Series — by R.L. Stein
  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — by Roald Dahl
  • The Big Nate Series — by Lincoln Peirce
  • The Dork Diaries — by Rachel Renee Russell
  • The Diary of a Wimpy Kid — by Jeff Kinney
  • The Warriors Series — by Erin Hunter
  • Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit — by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
  • Where the Sidewalk Ends — by Shel Silverstein
  • Charlotte’s Web — by E.B. White   
  • The Harry Potter Series — by J.K. Rowling

Book List for New Readers

(Appropriate for younger children)

  • Amelia Bedelia — by Peggy Parrish
  • The Curious George Series — by Margaret and H.A. Rey
  • Dr. Seuss Books: Horton Hears a Who, The Foot Book, ABC, The Lorax, Oh the Places You’ll Go!
  • Where the Wild Things Are — by Maurice Sendak
  • Pirates Don’t Take Baths — by John Segal
  • How to Be Friends with a Dragon — by Valeri Gorbachev
  • When I Was Young in the Mountains — by Cynthia Rylant
  • Stone Soup: An Old Tale — by Marcia Brown
  • Lyle the Crocodile Series — by Bernard Waber
  • The Stella Series — by Marie-Louise Gay

Next: The Great Outdoors »

U.S. Department of State-Designated J-1 Visa Sponsor
Alliance for International Exchange
The International Coalition for Global Education and Exchange
European-American Chamber of Commerce New York
Global Ties U.S.
International Au Pair Association
WYSE Travel Confederation