67 Books to Read with Your Kids

67 Books Every Geek Should Read to Their Kids Before Age 10

Photo: Flickr Neeta Lind

At GeekDad we are committed to helping you raise geek generation 2.0, and we believe few things that you do are more important than reading to your kids early and often. The social science is in, vocabulary is a major predictor of cognitive development in your children. Reading to them is a great way to get them using the language centers of their brain. Plus some of the best times we have had with our children have come while watching their eyes glisten as Harry looks in the Mirror of Erised or listening to their giggles as they discover the joys and absurdities of Shel Silverstein’s poetry. Reading aloud to your kids can be a blast.
So what books should geeks be reading to their kids? What books are essential to the geek experience? Well, that depends on the parent, and that depends on the kid. Some kids can handle the long slog to get Frodo to Rivendell where The Lord of the Rings finally takes off and becomes a rollicking adventure; many kids (and adults) cannot. So rather than creating a single list of recommended books, we decided to let members of the GeekDad team create the list of books which they enjoyed reading to their hatchlings as they progressed through their beta period. Consider these the staff picks at your own personal geek library:

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The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a lovely homage to early French film making and a most creative book. Part novel and part picture book, the story lends to reading aloud while discovering together how Brian Selznick uses images to tell the story. Erik Wecks

Here the characters are the stars. Reading a conservative mole, an adventurous water rat and a profligate toad is wonderful fun. Plus Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willowsthe story is great. Erik Wecks

Poignant, sad and yet beautiful in the end. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is the tale of a beloved toy finding its way back to the arms of a child. The gorgeous writing alone makes it worth reading aloud. Erik Wecks

Popular among the 5 and 6 year old set, at least one book of the Junie B. Jones series must be read out loud merely because Junie is such a fun character to read. She mispronounces many words and hearing these mistakes is great for training the first and second grade ear. Erik Wecks

Calling all dreamers... Poetry is made to be read out loud and no modern poet captures the spirit of childhood imagination and play better than Shel Silverstein. Silverstein's four major works of poetry are: Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, and the recent posthumous release Every Thing on It. Erik Wecks

JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the first book in the most popular fiction series of all time. Read it to them before they read it for themselves, and reengage the wonder as your children discover Hogwarts for themselves. Erik Wecks

All your favorite characters are here along with a great bit of humor and a fleshed out story. The Princess Bride is definitely worth reading to your child when they are home with the flu. Erik Wecks

Not many books of adult science fiction can appeal to kids. While the series is by no means aimed at grade school aged children, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card will appeal to eight and nine year old kids. They will relate to the small but tenacious Ender. Erik Wecks

The masterworks of fantasy fiction. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are must reads for any literate geek. While the long slog to Rivendell in The Lord of The Rings may be difficult for children and adults alike, reading it aloud often allows children to persevere until the rollicking adventure begins. In our home, we have successfully read The Lord of the Rings to two eight year olds. Going slowly a chapter at a time, it takes about three to four months. Erik Wecks

There are few writers of any kind of fiction today that even come close to the quality of Neil Gaiman's work. Coraline, Gaiman's tale of a girl who discovers an "Other World" with an "Other" version of her family. What seems like fun becomes scary, but don't be afraid: the book is aimed at kids, and it doesn't take it too far. Matt Blum

The classic book Half Magic by Edward Eager is clever, funny, and heartwarming. It tells the tale of four siblings who come across a talisman that grants wishes... halfway. It's not great literature, but it's a fun read -- as is its sequel Magic by the Lake. Matt Blum

The first in a fairly long series of ridiculously entertaining books by Joan Aiken, Arabel's Raven tells the tale of a young British girl and her pet raven. Mortimer the raven is very clever and has an unusual appetite that includes most kinds of food and... stairs. The books are all quick reads and very, very funny for all ages. Matt Blum

So you know the story of Peter Pan and Captain Hook, but do you know how they got to Neverland, and why Peter will never grow up? Peter and the Starcatchers and its sequels tell a great tale that serves as a backstory to the tales you know. Great fun, if you know the original story. Matt Blum

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents is a book about a cat and a group of rats who run the perfect pied piper scheme... or at least, try to. Only Terry Pratchett could write animal characters this smart, yet still somehow believable. (This book does technically take place in Discworld, but is much more aimed at kids than are the usual Discworld books.) Matt Blum

Mary Norton's classic tale The Borrowers tells the tale of a family of inches-tall people living under a normal-sized house. This would be a great book for anyone who saw The Secret World of Arrietty, which was (loosely) based on it. Read GeekDad's review of the book, too. Matt Blum

You think you had an unusual childhood? Try growing up raised by ghosts in a graveyard. That's just what happens to Nobody "Bod" Owens, the protagonist of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. Bod has to contend with ghouls, an ancient spirit, and must never leave the graveyard lest he fall prey to The Man Jack, who has already killed Bod's birth family. Strange, creepy, and altogether wonderful. Matt Blum

The 13-1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers was by far the most enjoyable read for both kids and parent. The rich descriptions of the fantasy world of Zamonia and its inhabitants extended our nighttime routine while reading, as no one wanted to stop. Everyone was sad when the marathon 700-page experience eventually ended. Bluebear provides excellent creative inspiration for storytelling. Kevin Makice

The Cartoon History of the Universe is a series of wonderfully researched historical stories, spread over several volumes that cover the beginning of the Universe through modern times. The content by author Larry Gonick does not shy away from the role violence and sex play in our past, however, making it a reading choice that may not fit some parenting styles. The subject matter benefits from a read-along parental guide and provides a great and lasting foundation for future learning. Although the visuals are important, Gonick's explanations and meta commentary are enjoyable to listen to in car rides, too. We have made multiple laps through Gonick's accounting of the human experience. Kevin Makice

A childhood favorite, Danny Dunn is a series of 15 fiction books about a headstrong boy and his exploits with science and math. In addition to grounding most of their plots in real science, authors Raymond Abrashkin and Jay Williams included a couple of progressive friends to accompany Danny on his adventures. Irene Miller, first introduced in the 1958 book Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine, is a future biologist and great early STEM role model for girls. The stories are a good read-aloud introduction to chapter books as kids start to learn to read on their own. The books are out of print but available used and in libraries. Kevin Makice

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney depicts the middle school struggles of middle child Greg Heffley, told in the form of his diary. Kinney's illustrations add much to the humor, but his writing style combined with the single voice of Greg makes the books easy to read aloud. The Last Straw is a personal favorite, because of the focus on the father-son relationship and tight storytelling. There is little doubt these are the books my kids will remember most from their childhood. Kevin Makice

The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson became a favorite for all three of my kids when they were toddlers. Harold uses his powerful crayon to transport bedtime into balloon rides, fairy tale gardens, a circus, and a trip to Mars. The playful word choices of the author leverage double meanings to complement the drawings in multiple ways, advancing the plot and reinforcing creativity (the modern versions of Harold lack this depth). The stories are great experiences for pre-readers, who learn quickly to tell the story on their own. Harold is one of the rare children's books I can never tire of re-reading. Kevin Makice

Bertrand Brinley's series of short stories in Boys' Life magazine became the The Mad Scientists Club books, depicting a gang of young makers investigating mysteries and playing pranks on residents of Mammoth Falls. Henry Mulligan is the lead genius of the tales, but the adventures require a team effort and normalize science and technology as a way to solve problems. Everything is told from the perspective of Charlie, one of the members of the MSC. The colloquial language makes it a great platform for attempting different character voices. Kevin Makice

Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series follows a similar plot device as the Harry Potter books, with three young friends fighting against the prophecies of a mystical armageddon. In this case, magic is replaced with Greek mythology. Percy must come to terms with his demigod lineage and the reality of a world filled with minotaurs, chimeras, and vengeful titans. Contemporary cultural references and a prior interest in mythology by my kids made these five books (and the first two of the follow-up series) riveting bedtime reads. It proved a fun race to see who recognized each myth first. Kevin Makice

Savvy by Ingrid Law is a coming-of-age story about a special family whose members are each blessed (or cursed) with a special ability. For Mibs Beaumont, her gift comes at a critical time when her father is recovering from a terrible accident. The dominance of teenage characters can make differentiating voices a challenge, but the crisp writing paints a clear picture of Mibs' life in Kansaska-Nebransas. Reading Savvy sparked several bedtime conversations. Law has turned the premise into a series with Scumble released as the follow-up in 2011. Kevin Makice

Wendelin Van Draanen's four-book Shredderman series tells the story of a nerd, Nolan Byrd, who becomes a superhero. Nolan's evolving tech skills help him to find an outlet online to fight a school bully. This starts him on an escalating path that has Shredderman thwarting everything from vandalism to espionage. Through Nolan, the author addresses problem-solving, power differentials, and the importance of good mentors. The books are quick reads that will span a few long bedtime sessions, great for advancing exposure to chapter books for early readers. Kevin Makice

Written around the same period as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis' heptalogy is much more suited to younger readers (listeners?), due party to fact that the main characters are always children, but also because the baddies are never as hideous as Orcs or Uruk-hai. We stumbled upon The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on TV over Christmas and started reading through the rest of the chronicles soon after. Expect plenty of colourful descriptions of the fantastical worlds, sandwiched around great characters and epic battles, with plenty of scope for putting on voices. Oh, and don't worry about the religious allegories - it's easy to let them pass you by if you're not that way inclined. Nathan Barry

It's no wonder The Tale of Despereaux, about a mouse and a princess, won the Newbery. It has a lovely fairy-tale sensibility and makes for fantastic bedtime reading — and is quite a bit better than the animated movie it inspired. Jonathan Liu

I discovered the Far Flung Adventures trilogy only recently but had a great time reading them out loud to my daughter. Each book is a stand-alone story, although there are some overlapping characters and locations throughout. The three title characters (Fergus Crane, Corby Flood, and Hugo Pepper) each have wonderful, exciting adventures that are fun to listen to, and the illustrations by Chris Riddell are brilliant. Jonathan Liu

I called this book Toy Story Zero in my review of it, but it's a beautifully written story about a wind-up mouse and his son. The Mouse and His Child was written in 1967 but it can still give Pixar a run for its money when it comes to storytelling. There are a host of great characters and you'll have fun doing the voices of Uncle Frog and the villainous Manny Rat. Jonathan Liu

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is one that I've read aloud to my own kids, but also got to read to a group of third-graders in Tribune, and they were entranced. The mystery of the rats in the rose-bush, the secret of NIMH and Mrs. Frisby's own connection to it — it's superb storytelling and wonderful to hear aloud. Jonathan Liu

I included The Penderwicks in my Stories About Girls series, and I've read all three books to my daughter (some twice). They're about four sisters who are all quite different from each other, and the entirely realistic adventures they have. No fantasy or sci-fi, but lots of imagination and pitch-perfect portrayals of sibling relationships. Jonathan Liu

Is there any book that plays with language and learning quite like The Phantom Tollbooth? Filled with puns and wordplay, idioms and metaphors, it's no wonder this classic is still going strong after 50 years. Jonathan Liu

The Toys Go Out series is a bit like Toy Story, but a little tamer and very funny. The know-it-all Stingray is especially fun to read, as she speaks in a sort of poetry when she's making things up. And every child wonders if their toys are really alive, doing things when they're not at home. Jonathan Liu

Another book that made my Stories About Girls series, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon weaves together many Chinese folktales into a longer story about a girl and a dragon on a quest. As with the best folktales, these are best spoken aloud. Jonathan Liu

The Search for WondLa is like sci-fi meets the Wizard of Oz, and Tony DiTerlizzi's bizarre universe of alien creatures and flora is a fun place to explore. As I mentioned in my review, it's almost four books in one — this one will keep your kids occupied for a while! Jonathan Liu

I think my first encounter with James and the Giant Peach was in 5th grade, when my teacher read it aloud to the class, and it hooked me on Roald Dahl. While I do love the original illustrations by Nancy Berkert, I'm also partial to Lane Smith's quirky versions as well. But regardless of which pictures accompany it, it's a fantastic story. Jonathan Liu

Kids love scary stories and The House With a Clock in Its Walls does not disappoint. Orphan Lewis Barnavelt goes to live with his uncle, who turns out to be a wizard. Along with the next-door witch, Lewis must find a magic clock hidden in the walls of the house before it destroys the world. Embellished by some incredible Edward Gorey's illustrations, this semi-spooky book is an easy introduction to horror, made better, and more comforting, by a read-out-loud experience. This is the first (and best) book in a Lewis Barnavelt series that spans a dozen books, so if you enjoy it, there are plenty more. Dave Banks

The first of the "Fudge" books, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume largely deals with the relationship of a fourth-grader, Peter, and his younger brother, Fudge. Reading aloud gives plenty of opportunity for talking and provides discussion points for talking about relationships with siblings. It's a funny and enjoyable read and not terribly long. If you can find an earlier print (pre-2002), the book will contain some fun illustrations by Roy Doty. Dave Banks

The best-selling children's paperback of all-time, Charlotte's Web is not only a wonderful read, but one best enjoyed together, like in this special "Read Aloud Edition," packed full of gorgeous art. This E. B. White classic explores some themes that kids might have difficulty understanding like the slaughtering of animals and loneliness and death; reading out loud - or to each other - will enhance the book's takeaway even more. Dave Banks

Childhood passes so quickly, as we're reminded in Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree. Kids will appreciate the nurturing and reassuring story, while parents will try not to get choked up reading about sacrifice and love in this tale of the human condition. It's difficult to think of another book that sums up parenting as well as this classic story. Dave Banks

The Silver Crown is another Robert C. O'Brien fantasy story, this time about a young girl who wakes on the morning of her birthday to find a mysterious silver crown on her pillow. She is soon caught up in a series of events that lead her and another boy to confront a sinister plot that threatens all that is good and free in the world. Roy Wood

The quirkily comic story of Stanley Yelnats, a boy whose family has been cursed for three generations. Stanley is falsely accused of a crime, and is sent to Camp Green Lake, a reform camp for boys. Stanley meets a slew of oddball characters and encounters a bizarre string of misadventures that end in a surprising twist. Holes is wonderful in many ways, though I was particularly delighted with how the author manages to blend comic absurdity and compassion for the characters so skillfully. Roy Wood

No geeky childhood is complete without Pinkwater's brand of smart but silly literature. Like many of his books, The Big Orange Splot celebrates the person who is quirky and creative -- a great message for any kid. Kathy Ceceri

I did not experience The Little House books until I read them to my kids. My boys loved Wilder's detailed descriptions of farm machinery. I loved how well she conveyed the life of a pioneer family. A series to grow with through the years. Kathy Ceceri

Stuart Little is the story of a mouse-shaped boy on an adventure. Read it to your kids before they see the movie if you want them to appreciate its quiet, magical tone. Kathy Ceceri

Not well known on this side of the Atlantic, The Railway Children will appeal to kids who grew up on Thomas the Tank Engine. Plenty of train action, but also an engaging story of kids who pull together to save their family. Kathy Ceceri

So few books feature girls who are smart and resourceful. From The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is one of the earliest and best. A sister takes her little brother and runs away to live in the Metropolitan Museum, learning about Michelangelo -- introducing readers to fine art and twentieth century urban life at the same time. Kathy Ceceri

Cultivate your children's taste for the bizarre with an early introduction to the books of Roald Dahl. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Save the movies for later -- let them exercise their imagination as they savor the descriptions of the most unusual candy factory ever conceived. Kathy Ceceri

Septimus Heap is the seventh son of a seventh son, and is special in this world of fantasy contained in the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage, aimed at kids 9 and up. This continuing series, now with six books, is compelling to young adults and grown-ups alike, which makes it perfect to read aloud together. Each book in the series tackles another chapter in the life of Septimus Heap, his family, and his friends. Though on the reading level of late elementary/middle school, the story is compelling enough to keep even this grown-up glued to the series. Wizards, magic, royalty, mysteries, and secrets await you and your children! Jenny Williams

The idea of a group of children having adventures and solving major problems with little to no adult help or supervision isn't new, but these kids are particularly clever. Geeks will recognize parts of themselves in the four main characters in The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart. Disparate and quirky backgrounds bring four children together to work to fight evil and, occasionally, to save the world. Their suspenseful adventures will keep you guessing about just how they will solve the mysteries and get out of trouble. Grown-ups help in the stories as needed, but the kids are the real heroes. These are perfect for particularly intelligent kids and grown-ups to read together. Jenny Williams

In A Whole Nother Story and Another Whole Nother Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup, joins the Cheeseman family (which consists of "Mr. Cheeseman, his three relatively odor-free children, a psychic hairless dog, and a sock puppet named Steve") on two hilarious and unpredictable journeys in a race against spies, government agents, and time. This pair of books will have you and your kids in stitches, laughing out loud while you cheer on the unusual protagonists and jeer the bad guys. Written for kids age 9 and up, these tales of adventure are perfect to enjoy aloud with your children. Jenny Williams

The House of Dies Drear, the 1968 novel by Virginia Hamilton, was positively creepy when it was first read to me in 4th grade. Thomas Small, a 13-year-old African American boy, moves into an Ohio house that was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. Strange and scary things begin to happen. A great and atmosphere book that combines American history and suspense. Ethan Gilsdorf

Yes, The Lorax is now another CGI movie from Hollywood. But before your kids' minds are infected by the animated eye-candy, sit them down and read the original 1971 children's book written by Dr. Seuss. A young boy who lives in a polluted world visits the "Once-Ler" who tells him a cautionary tale about how that world got that way, and how he ignored the advice of the Lorax, who "speaks for the trees." Wonderful illustrations and the typical fantastical Seussian world-play. Ethan Gilsdorf

An old Chinese (or Japanese) story forms the backbone of Tikki Tikki Tembo, the 1968 book by Arlene Mosel, illustrated by Blair Lent. A boy named Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo and his little brother, Chang, both fall into a well. Kids will delight in hearing the name of the older brother "Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo" over and over again. That's what makes it great for read-aloud. Ethan Gilsdorf

Another classic, Winnie-the-Pooh came out in 1926 (if you can believe it). Forget the Disney version (fun, yes) and get your kids reading, and read aloud, the original written by A. A. Milne, and introduce your kids to Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and their adventures. My favorite always was Pooh's discovering the "Heffalump" tracks; as he wanders in circles, each new set of Heffalump tracks are, in fact, his own. A magical, evocative world. Ethan Gilsdorf

The Little Bear books, first written way back in 1957 by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, are simple, lovable stories of a simple, Pooh-like bear named, well, "Little Bear." The language is simple, too -- "It is cold. See the snow. See the snow come down. Little Bear said, 'Mother Bear, I am cold. See the snow. I want something to put on." begins the first of many stories that teach about friendship, adventure, and a mother-child bond. Perfect for ids who are beginning to read themselves. Ethan Gilsdorf

One of the great read-aloud science fiction/fantasy books of all time, A Wrinkle in Time is Madeleine L'Engle's award-winning 1962 story about a young girl whose father has gone missing after working on a mysterious project called a "tesseract." The odd names of characters -- Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who, and Mrs Which -- and the evil disembodied brain on the planet Camazotz with telepathic abilities have a way of getting under your skin. Locals call it the "IT." This was real aloud to me in the 6th grade. Read it aloud and see how it affects your kids' dreams. Ethan Gilsdorf

Another Dr. Seuss milestone, Green Eggs and Ham (1960) introduces young children to the fun of word-play, silly rhymes and situations, and the power of "No." (Parents, you know what I mean.) Interestingly, the entire book includes only 50 words -- a geeky challenge from Seuss's publisher. (The words are: a, am, and, anywhere, are, be, boat, box, car, could, dark, do, eat, eggs, fox, goat, good, green, ham, here, house, I, if, in, let, like, may, me, mouse, not, on, or, rain, Sam, say, see, so, thank, that, the, them, there, they, train, tree, try, will, with, would, you.) Ethan Gilsdorf.

Ever since its publication in 1963, Amelia Bedelia has been a favorite among early readers. You will laugh right along with your children as Amelia does exactly as she is told with hilarious results. Erik Wecks (Suggested by Corrina Lawson)

Ages 3+. A child floats through the story as he drifts through the fantastic dream world of the bakers' kitchen. In the Night Kitchen is wonderful to read aloud with fantastic illustrations by Sendak. Michael Venables

Ages 5+. The adventures of a very curious monkey and the man in the yellow hat. Curious George models the value of exploration, intellectual daring and inquiry. Wonderful read aloud book with beautiful illustrations. Michael Venables

Ages 4+. Frog and Toad are best friends who love to share experiences. Illustrates the value of true friendship. Perfect to read aloud or for beginning reading. Michael Venables

Ages 4+. Owl at Home is the story of Owl and his visits by various friends from nature. Great for discussion of the nature of friendship with kids. Wonderful bedtime story book. Michael Venables

Ages K to 2. Henry and Mudge follows the friendship between a lonely child and a big dog named Mudge. Models values of compassion, caring and fiendship. Great beginning reader and as a bedtime read aloud book. Michael Venables

Ages 3+. These books tell the adventures of Emily Elizabeth and raising a pet from puppy to giant red dog. Clifford emphasizes important family values as Clifford grows, shares, and learns at his new home. Great beginning reader and bedtime story book. Michael Venables

Ages pre-K to 2. The Arthur series follows the ongoing adventures of a young aardvark, his sister and their daily adventures in the neighborhood. Showcases values of compassion, friendship, family and tolerance. Companion TV show on PBS. Michael Venables

A list of geek kid's books would not be complete without Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Remember what it is like to be king in a land all in your dreams. Erik Wecks (suggested by GeekDad Z)