RAR #113: Why Reading Aloud to a Wide Range of Ages is Difficult (and How to Do It Without Losing Your Mind)

We picture all of our darling children curled around us, listening happily as we share a story together…

BUT … What if we have toddlers and teens? Or just lots of kids with strong opinions?!

Is there ANYTHING we can do?

YES! Today’s episode is all about finding the read-aloud sweet spot when you have a wide range of ages in your family.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• why you should ignore common advice when it comes to reading to a wide age span
• whether it’s OK to read under some of your kids’ reading level
• 15+ crowd-pleasing books that you and kids of varying ages will enjoy

Click that play button below to hear the podcast:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Listener Guide

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast:

• 2:28 Don’t be afraid to separate
• 3:24 Shoot for the middle
• 6:36 Keeping them engaged is the key
• 7:55 Books under your kids’ reading level
• 10:09 ‘Life’s greatest delights’
• 11:39 Family and animal stories
• 14:08 Historical recommendations
• 17:06 A touch of magic
• 18:59 Fantasy books
• 21:50 Go on a literary journey … together
• 22:44 Let the kids speak

More free resources and booklists

Get the best episodes and reources
from the Read-Aloud Revival

Keep an eye on your inbox! We'll keep you posted whenever we have a new podcast episode or a great free booklist or resource for you.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Email Address

I'd like to receive the free email course. Yes! Powered by ConvertKit

Links from this episode:

• RAR #67: Reading for the Bigger Story, Jonathan Rogers
• Get the FREE booklist and more – go to readaloudrevial.com or text BOOKS to 345345

Quotes to remember:

“We want them to see reading as one of life’s greatest delights. We want to choose books that meet kids at all different ages, that will appeal to everyone, and that everyone can follow along the storyline.” – Sarah Mackenzie

“I can’t imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once.” – C.S. Lewis

“We don’t need to be afraid of reading things that are under our  … oldest children’s reading level. If we realize that they can still get so much benefit from the books we’re reading aloud to them (even if they’re not above or even at their reading level), that opens the door to enjoying so many other books as a family.” – Sarah Mackenzie

(Download the transcript above for more quotes and pull-outs.)

Books from this episode:

(All links are Amazon affiliate links.)

Want to tell us about the books your wide range of ages have enjoyed? Leave a comment on Facebook right here: