As parents we know we should read aloud to our kids. But sometimes, when our kids bring us that one really annoying picture book to read for the thousandth time, we just don’t want to read it again.
If that’s the case, you may need a book refresh. But where can you go to find really great, high-quality books for kids?
It’s not just about finding books that are well-written and interesting. We also need to make sure the books aren’t scary, upsetting, or inappropriate for our young children.
The good news is that several smart, thoughtful people have done this work for us. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel and vet thousands of picture books to find the good ones.
Here are some of the best places to look online to find great book lists for Catholic kids with recommendations you can trust!
Read-Aloud Revival
One of the best sites for book recommendations on the internet, Read Aloud Revival has beautifully curated lists for each month of the year, as well as lists for many other occasions.
Good Books for Catholic Kids
I really enjoy Good Books for Catholic Kids, which has lots of book lists and book reviews to help parents find great reads.
Spark’s 189 Great Books for Catholic Kids
Word on Fire’s new children’s imprint, Spark, offers this list of great books for Catholic kids. The books included communicate Catholic truths and/or are stories with merit that inspire and delight young readers.
Teaching Catholic Kids
This list of The best books for Catholic families focuses specifically on books about Jesus, the saints, and other religious topics. So many lovely suggestions!
Katherine Bogner’s Favorite Books for Catholic Kids
Catholic school teacher Katherine Bogner has an extensive list of Favorite Books for Catholic Kids, focused on saints and other Catholic subjects.
A summer reading list for Catholic kids of all ages
Our Sunday Visitor offers this reading list for Catholic kids of all ages featuring books with positive messages.
Blessed Is She’s Catholic Library for Kids
Check out Building a Catholic Library for Kids for many picture books about Catholic topics.
Elizabeth Clare’s Must Reads
Over on Elizabeth Clare’s blog, there is a great list of “must read” books for young Catholic children.
John Senior’s Thousand Good Books
Great Books educator Dr. John Senior co-founded the Integrated Humanities Program at the University of Kansas in the 1960s. His list of good books includes many older classics that may be out of print, but can be found at libraries or secondhand.
A Mother’s List of Books
This list is compiled by Theresa Fagan, a mother of eight well-educated children, now adults. It’s as close to comprehensive as a list can be, but unlike other lists here, it’s not free; it costs $9.95.
