Those of us who grew up reading rainbows know that watching read-alouds is always popular with kids. you will find many options online, but some are better than others. Fortunately, we did the legwork for you and found the best read alouds on YouTube to share with the kids in your life.
Read alouds are not only a way to entertain little ones, they also demonstrate reading fluency and concepts. In the classroom, read-aloud videos give teachers a chance to rest their voices and catch up on some paperwork. Parents who are tired of reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom for the umpteenth time can submit some new stories without going to the library or bookstore. (Get tips for using read-aloud videos at home here.)
You are reading: Youtube childrens audio books
how we choose the best read alouds on youtube
youtube has a huge selection of read aloud videos. some are amazing and some are not. Although every time children walk by with books has merit, we believe that quality videos should provide the same educational experience as reading in person. a good read aloud:
- has a clear sound with an emphasis on reading (we don’t need music or any additional sound).
- shows the cover of each book.
- mentions the title, the author and illustrator of the book (with correct pronunciation).
- demonstrates proper concepts of print (pages turn from right to left).
- shows the text of the book as the person is reading.
- demonstrates fluent reading.
With that in mind, here are the read-aloud channels we love. we hope you do too! (As always, preview any video to make sure the content is appropriate for your audience.)
let’s read stories
stories for children: read by a child! this channel features tons of favorite books, wonderfully read by a kid who knows how to make history engaging and fun. children will find it easy to connect with a voice that is more like their own, which will encourage them to try reading aloud on their own more often.
the story time family
Are you ready for some titles you haven’t seen before? The storytime family has a huge virtual bookshelf with playlists for animals, social-emotional learning, and more. There are no commercial characters here, just good quality selections that kids haven’t heard dozens of times.
story time with the bear & em. becky
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mrs. Becky has such a comfortable screen presence and asks viewers questions before and after reading in an incredibly natural way. you have several hundred videos to choose from, with your favorites and newer titles too.
mrs. the adventures of k’s bookworm
mrs. k usually includes interesting facts during the introduction, then moves on to the book itself. their playlists include fun books, informational books, holiday books, and more.
story time with ryan and craig
Looking for read-alouds with personality? check out ryan and craig! they’re comedians who read children’s books and comment (in a kid-appropriate way) as they go along. they’re fun and entertaining, but the reading is quality and so are the book choices.
children time story time
The voice puppets may seem like too much for parents, but kids love the high energy of these read-alouds on youtube. the variety here is exceptional, with entire sections of Hispanic heritage books, seasonal books, and roots books.
read right now
Read Right Now uses e-books instead of paper books, so page turning is a bit different. but the reader uses a clear and engaging voice, and his selection of titles is top notch.
story time at awnie’s house
if your kids are always begging, “do the voices!” When they hear read-alouds, they’ll like Awnie. Although these videos do not show the pages of the book being turned, they do ensure that the text is displayed as Awnie reads it. we especially like the playlists for school days and the kindness and acceptance.
bright story time
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brightly storytime is another channel that doesn’t show physical books with flipped pages, but has a unique feature: words are highlighted as they’re read, making it easy for kids to follow along. the playlist where authors read their own books has some of the best read alouds on youtube.
dramatic story theater
If you’re looking for well-read classics, check out this channel. there are two dozen books to check out, all read in a way that’s perfect for little ones to follow.
children’s stories 4 you
The basic read alouds here tick all the boxes: clear reading, engaging voices, and a wide selection, including many that older readers will like. This is a super channel for struggling readers to connect to during downtown time, as there are many great interest Pete the Cat books and other popular characters from mainstream movies and shows.
the reading unicorn
There are a lot of commercial character books here, but the reading unicorn does them well. parents can appreciate more these read alouds on youtube; let the playlist run while you catch up on clothes or check your email.
additional tip: good night with dolly
dolly parton is a strong advocate for children’s literacy. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she posted a series of 10 “bedtime story” videos. Her charm and sweetness shine through on every page of these gems, and while there are only a handful of read-alouds, you’ll want to watch them again and again.
what are your favorite read alouds on youtube? Join the conversation and exchange recommendations in the weareteachers helpline group on facebook.
Also, check out the great list of virtual author activities.
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