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.

I’ll fill you in on:

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

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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

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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

A few quotes from this episode:

“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.)