Reading is one of the best ways to spark a child’s imagination and help them learn about the world. Early chapter book series are a great way to introduce children to the joys of reading. With their engaging stories and exciting characters, these books can help kids build a love for reading that will last a lifetime.
From classics like The Chronicles of Narnia to modern favourites like Harry Potter, there are plenty of amazing chapter book series that kids can explore. Those examples might be a little challenging for newer readers, so we’re sharing some of the first chapter book series we read with our children. Here we will take a look at some of our favourite early chapter book series for kids that are sure to keep them entertained and engaged!
Here are our favourite early chapter book series to read aloud:
The Magic Tree House
This is a series that follows Jack and Annie, brother and sister, on adventures throughout history in the Magic Tree House. The books follow a predictable pattern and are great read alouds for young kids. Bonus: Your child will learn about historical events in really simple terms.
Click here for the first book in the series: https://amzn.to/3wXIwrw
Click here for the boxed set of books 1-28: https://amzn.to/3y6bZkg
The Bad Guys
These books are fun to read. Typical “bad guy” characters – a shark, snake, wolf, and piranha – set out to become good guys, but have a hard time resisting their bad guy natures. Guaranteed giggles.
Dragon Masters
For any dragon and magic obsessed child, this series is for future Harry Potter lovers. There are lots of characters and it’s best read in different voices. The guide (linked below) is one of my older son’s favourite books to reread over and over again.
Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
This series is not one I would start with for your first chapter book read aloud, but it’s a great introduction to mysteries for kids.
Falling Up
This one isn’t a chapter book series but it was a favourite when the boys were bridging the gap between picture books and novels. Silly poems that make you laugh, and then make you think, and then make you laugh some more. Shel Silverstein is a classic favourite.
Roald Dahl Books
Also not technically a series, books by the author, Roald Dahl, are sure to please. George’s Marvelous Medicine is my personal favourite to start with. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and Matilda are also favourites. I censored a word here and there as I was reading.
We have two boys (ages 6 and 4) who love to read. In fact, our best entertainment strategy for long car rides is a fresh bin of books from the library between them. Their love of reading came from a lot of their nature and a bit of nurturing as well. We read together every night before bed. When they were younger, we stuck to picture books, but as soon as they were able to follow the storyline in simple chapter books with just a few pictures, we have read novels aloud to them at bedtime.
My favourite advice I’ve ever heard about reading with children: “Children who read with someone they love, learn to love reading.”
I hope you’ve found a new favourite series to enjoy as a family, or as a classroom family!
Happy Reading!
