The Read Aloud Classroom

Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of choosing from over 100 new picture books? I get it—sometimes having too many amazing options can make planning feel harder, not easier. That's exactly why I created this episode: to give you my top 10 picks from the brand-new 2025 Read Aloud Guide. Think of it as your "best of" sampler—the books I absolutely couldn't resist highlighting becaus...

Looking for the perfect picture book gifts this season? Whether you're shopping for your students, building your classroom library, or picking out books for your own kids, I've got you covered! In this episode, I'm sharing 9 brand new picture books from 2025 that make absolutely perfect gifts—and every single one comes straight from my 2025 Read Aloud Guide. From heartwarming winter...

I've been working on something since January that I can't WAIT to share with you! If you love discovering brand new picture books (and I know you do - those are always my most popular episodes), then you're going to be so excited about the 2025 Read Aloud Guide. It's a comprehensive resource featuring over 100 brand new picture books from 2025, all personally vetted by me, with...

Looking for an easy way to add some reading magic to November while building your students' knowledge across subjects? Welcome to KNOW-vember! This episode is all about celebrating nonfiction picture books – those powerful tools that help students build background knowledge, strengthen information literacy, and explore their personal interests in science, history, and the world around them. P...

Need some giggles in your classroom this November? Turkey picture books are about to become your secret weapon for keeping students engaged while still teaching those important comprehension skills! From turkeys in disguise to clever birds outsmarting farmers, these stories bring the perfect blend of silly and meaningful to your read aloud time. In this episode, I'm sharing 8 turkey picture b...

Tired of scrolling endlessly through book lists trying to find the perfect read alouds for your classroom? Let me do the heavy lifting for you! In this month's new picture book roundup, I'm sharing seven amazing releases that are going to make your students light up—from hilarious tales about impatient kids with hiccups to heartwarming stories about family traditions and cozy winter adve...

Here's the truth: Indigenous voices deserve to be celebrated in our classrooms every single day, not just in November. With 574 federally recognized Native American tribes in the United States, each with their own unique cultures and traditions, there's a whole world of incredible stories we should be sharing with our students year-round. These books help all our students see beyond a na...

Want to spark meaningful conversations about kindness without adding another thing to your already packed schedule? Picture books are your secret weapon! With World Kindness Day coming up on November 13th, this is the perfect time to explore stories that help students understand what kindness really looks like—but honestly, these books work magic any time of year. In this episode, I'm sharing...

What if I told you that your math lessons could become the highlight of your students' day—without adding a single extra minute to your already packed schedule? In this episode, we're diving into ten incredible picture books that transform abstract math concepts into engaging, memorable experiences your students will actually love. From Greg Tang's clever counting strategies in &quo...

Picture this: Your students' eyes light up the moment they see you pull out a Halloween picture book, and suddenly even your most reluctant readers are leaning in with anticipation. There's something magical about spooky season that transforms our classrooms, and I'm here to help you make the most of it! In this episode, I'm sharing my favorite new Halloween picture books that&...

We've reached episode 50 of The Read Aloud Classroom—and it's my birthday week! To celebrate both milestones, I'm sharing something deeply personal: my top 10 favorite read aloud picture books that have never failed to create magic in my classroom. These aren't just well-written stories; they're the books I reach for again and again because they consistently spark creativi...

Picture this: you're scrolling through endless book lists online at 10 PM, coffee cup in hand, trying to find that perfect new picture book for next week's lesson—but everything starts to blur together. We've all been there! That's exactly why I created this monthly roundup just for you. In today's episode, I'm sharing the newest picture book releases that caught my a...

Teaching character traits to your K-3 students can feel like trying to explain the invisible—how do you help little ones move beyond just retelling what happens in a story to truly understanding who the characters are on the inside? If you've ever struggled to make this abstract concept click for your students, this episode is exactly what you need! I'm sharing 10 incredible picture book...

Feeling like you're drowning in lesson plans, trying to squeeze reading, science, writing, and social studies into an already packed day? What if I told you that those beautiful fall picture books sitting on your shelf could be your secret weapon for hitting multiple learning objectives without the overwhelm? In today's episode, I'm sharing twelve incredible fall-themed picture book...

Picture this: It's the third week of school and you're already feeling like a broken record, reminding students about the same expectations over and over again. What if I told you there's a way to teach classroom rules that actually sticks—and it involves some of your favorite picture books? In this episode, I'm sharing the game-changing strategy that transforms rule-setting fr...

Ready to transform your story elements instruction without adding one more thing to your already packed teaching day?   Imagine your students eagerly identifying characters, settings, and problems while you read aloud—no separate worksheet time needed! In this episode, I'm sharing 10 incredible picture book mentor texts that make teaching story elements feel natural and engaging for grades K-...

September is here, which means you're probably knee-deep in classroom setup, getting to know your new students, and trying to figure out how to fit everything into your packed teaching schedule. But what if I told you that this month's new picture book releases are going to make your lesson planning a whole lot easier—and way more exciting? From civil rights history that comes alive thro...

You know that feeling when you're trying to read aloud to your class and it feels like you're competing with twenty different side conversations? Or when you ask a question and three students blurt out answers before you've even finished speaking? We've all been there, and the good news is that picture books can transform those chaotic read aloud moments into meaningful learnin...

Picture this: You're preparing for a new school year, dreaming of that magical classroom community where every student feels seen, valued, and connected. But between lesson planning, room setup, and all those back-to-school tasks, actually building that community can feel overwhelming. Here's what I know—you already have one of the most powerful community-building tools right at your fin...

Get ready to fall in love with reading all over again! This month's new releases are absolutely incredible, and I'm practically bursting with excitement to share them with you. From a grumpy ghost who learns about friendship to a blind astronomer who literally hears the stars, these 13 brand-new picture books are going to transform your read aloud game. Whether you need something to spar...

Picture this: It's the second week of school, and you're frantically grabbing random books off your shelf, hoping they'll somehow connect to what you're supposed to be teaching. Sound familiar? What if I told you that just a few hours of intentional planning this summer could transform your entire year of read alouds into purposeful, curriculum-connected teaching moments that a...

Tired of scrambling to find the perfect books for those crucial first weeks of school? We all know how overwhelming it can be to build classroom community, establish routines, and create that magical safe space where every student can thrive—all while juggling twenty-something little humans who are still figuring out where they belong! That's exactly why I've curated this collection of t...

Ever found yourself scrambling to find the perfect book for your read aloud, only to realize halfway through that it doesn't teach what you intended? Or finished reading without asking a single meaningful question? In this episode, I dive into the three biggest challenges teachers face with read alouds: finding time in packed schedules, organizing books effectively, and knowing which question...

Picture this: It's the first week of school, and you want to create that magical classroom community feeling, but you're drowning in lesson plans, bulletin boards, and endless to-do lists. What if I told you that the perfect picture books could do the heavy lifting for you—building classroom culture, teaching social-emotional skills, and setting the tone for an amazing year, all while gi...

Picture this: it's October, and your read alouds feel more like classroom management battles than magical learning moments. Students are wiggling, interrupting, and completely checked out during what should be the most engaging part of your day. Sound familiar? The truth is, those October struggles often trace back to what happened (or didn't happen) during those crucial first weeks of s...