Sing, Read and Count
As a librarian with over 30 years of experience sharing stories with children, and now as a children’s author myself, I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a picture book truly shine when it’s read aloud. Some books quietly capture attention, while others fill a room with laughter, wiggles, and wide eyes. So what separates the good read-alouds from the unforgettable ones?
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or fellow librarian, here are a few key ingredients I always look for—and intentionally build into my own books.
1. Rhythm That Feels Natural
Great read-alouds have a rhythm that invites you to lean in and read with expression. Whether it flows like a poem or skips like a song, rhythm helps children predict what comes next and keeps them engaged. As a parent, I often found myself singing to my daughter at 2am, pulling melodies from old TV shows like Gilligan’s Island and Bewitched. That inspired me to write books like Five Fresh Donuts and Little Racing Bees that are set to familiar tunes.
When the words feel musical, children not only listen better—they remember more.
2. Repetition That Builds Confidence
Young children thrive on repetition. Repeating lines, phrases, or sounds gives them the chance to participate and anticipate what comes next. In books like Down on the Farm (to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus"), children quickly pick up the repeating chorus and are eager to join in with animal sounds and motions.
Repetition reinforces language patterns, which is essential for developing early literacy skills.
3. Built-in Participation
Interactive books make children part of the story. Whether they’re clapping, counting, making animal sounds, or zooming like bees, the best read-alouds invite children to move, speak, and play. In Little Racing Bees, every section ends with a "Zoom Zoom!" that kids love to shout. That energy turns passive listening into active learning.
Participation isn’t just fun—it creates deeper engagement and supports memory and comprehension.
4. Predictable Structure
Predictability helps kids feel successful. When a book follows a clear pattern—like counting up or down, repeating refrains, or using a call-and-response—children can join in more quickly and follow along with ease. Books like Five Plump and Perky Penguins or Captain Seadog had a Ship build that structure right in, making them favorites in storytime settings.
Predictable books give children confidence and make re-reading a joy.
Bonus: A Touch of Humor or Heart
While structure and rhythm are key, don’t underestimate the power of a silly line or a sweet ending. I often try to include something that makes caregivers smile, too—because the magic of a great read-aloud happens between the reader and the child.
If you’re looking for new titles to add to your storytime shelf, I invite you to explore my collection of musical picture books designed with all these elements in mind. They’re joyful, engaging, and built to support early literacy in the most natural way possible: by reading, singing, and playing together.
Let’s make reading more musical!
