Read Alouds

(2nd - 5th Grades)

Arnie the Doughnut read by Chris O'DowdArnie the Doughnut read by Chris O'Dowd and written and illustrated by Laurie Keller. At first glance, Arnie looks like an average doughnut - round, cakey, iced and sprinkled, with a hole in the middle. He was made by one of the best bakeries in town, and admittedly his sprinkles are candy-colored. Still, a doughnut is just a doughnut, right? WRONG! Not if Arnie has anything to say about it. And, for a doughnut, he sure seems to have an awful lot to say. Can Arnie change the fate of all doughnuts - or at least have a hand in his own future? Watch all of our videos at http://www.storylineonline.net/.

A Bad Case of Stripes read by Sean AstinCamilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the ther kids at her school don't like them. And Camilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her. In fact she is so worried that she's about to break out in... A Bad Case of Stripes

Brave Irene read by Al GorePlucky Irene, a dressmaker's daughter, braves a fierce snowstorm to deliver a new gown to the duchess in time for the ball.

Carla's Sandwich read by Allison JanneyWhen Carla brings weird sandwiches to school, her classmates have plenty to say about them. “That’s sick!” says Leslie. “That’s disgusting!” says Natie. But Carla thinks otherwise. “It’s unique. It’s creative.” - Just like Carla.

The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake read by Wanda SykesWhen crime happens, especially when food goes missing on Ed’s farm, Wilcox and Griswold, mouse crime fighters and food detectives, are the animals to call. When Miss Rabbit’s carrot cake goes missing, they do what it takes to track down the thieves. Watch all of our videos at http://storylineonline.net

The Elves and the Shoemaker read by Chrissy MetzThe story is a simple one, of a poor shoemaker and his wife who suddenly find they are getting help from a mysterious source. They discover their helpers are little elves, whom are working long and hard to finish making shoes. When the man and woman become rich because of the elves, they decide they …

The Coal Thief read by Christian SlaterBrrr! Georgie wakes up to a freezing morning in 1920’s Pennsylvania and gets the bad news that there is no coal to heat the farmhouse—and he knows there is no money to buy more, either. Just after he finds this out, along comes his friend Harley, who drags him off on an adventure to find some mysterious “black gold.” Before Georgie can catch his breath, he’s in a pile of trouble—all the way up to his ears! Take a trip back in time and join Georgie in this heartwarming tale of mischief made and lessons learned in America’s storied past.

The Empty Pot read by Rami MalekThe Chinese Emperor announces an unusual test to choose an heir—the child who raises the best flowers from a seed given by the Emperor will be his successor. Ping, unaccountably, is unable to get his seed to sprout—but Ping’s empty pot is best of all.

Enemy Pie read by Camryn ManheimIt was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became Enemy Number One. Luckily, Dad has a surefire way to get rid of enemies - Enemy Pie.

Hey, That's My Monster read by Lily TomlinWhen Ethan looks under the bed for his monster, he finds this note instead: “So long, kid. Gotta go. Someone needs me more than you do. –Gabe” How will Ethan ever get to sleep without his monster’s familiar, comforting snorts? And who could need Gabe more than Ethan does? Gabe must have gone to Ethan’s little sister’s room! She has been climbing out of bed every night to play, and obviously needs a monster to help her get to sleep – but not HIS monster! Ethan tries to help his sister find her own monster, but none are the perfect blend of cute and creepy. Just when it seems that Ethan will lose his monster forever, an uninvited, tutu-toting little monster full of frightening fun appears.

I Need My Monster read by Rita MorenoEthan is a little boy who can’t fall asleep without the ragged breathing and claw-scratching of his favorite monster, Gabe. But Gabe has left a note that he’s gone fishing, so Ethan knocks on his floor to summon a series of substitute ghoulies.

The Hula-Hoopin' Queen read by Oprah WinfreyKameeka is confident that today she will finally beat her rival, Jamara, and become the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street. But then Mama reminds her that today is their neighbor Miz Adeline’s birthday, and Kameeka has a ton of chores to do to get ready for the party they are hosting. Kameeka’s disappointed to be stuck at home and can only think about the hoopin’ competition. Distracted, Kameeka accidentally ruins Miz Adeline’s birthday cake, and has to confess to her that there won’t be a cake for her special day. But then Miz Adeline’s confesses something too: she’s also got the itch—the hula-hoopin’ itch! Her fingers start snappin’. Her hips start swingin’. Soon everyone’s hips are swinging as the party spills out onto the street. The whole neighborhood’s got the itch—the hula-hoopin’ itch! With vibrant illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen is a charming celebration of family and community ties.

Lotus & Feather read by Michelle YeohA winter illness left Lotus, a little girl, without a voice and without friends. A hunter’s bullet left Feather, a crane, injured and unable to fly. As Lotus nurses Feather back to health, their bond grows. Soon Feather is following Lotus everywhere, even to school! The bird dances to the girl’s reed whistle, much to the delight of the other children. One day, when the village floods, Feather helps raise the alarm as Lotus and her grandfather urge their neighbors to get to high ground. Feather is a true friend to Lotus, but the time comes when Lotus must be a true friend to him--by encouraging him to migrate with the rest of the cranes. The next spring, Feather miraculously returns, and that’s not all . . . he has brought new life to the nearby lake. Inspired by the true story of a crane that rescued a Chinese village, and graced with sensitive watercolor illustrations, this lovely book about respecting nature offers deep emotion and delightful surprises.

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother read by Melissa GilbertTricia can't stand her rotten redheaded older brother Richie, who can do everything better than she can. So when her grandmother tells her a wish made on a shooting star will come true, she knows exactly what to wish for - to be able to do something, anything, better than Richie.

The Night I Followed the Dog read by Amanda BynesHave you ever wondered where dogs go at night, and what they do? Well the little boy in this story has reason to believe that there is something funny going on, and he's ready to find out what it is.

No Mirrors in My Nana's House read by Tia & Tamera MowryThere are no mirrors in my Nana's house. No mirrors to reflect the cracks in the wall, the clothes that don't fit, the trash in the hallway. No mirrors. But there is love. The beauty in this child's world is in her Nana's eyes. It's like the rising of the sun...

Please Please the Bees read by Rashida JonesLife is sweet for Benedict. Every morning he wakes up to find jars of fresh honey on his back porch. He makes honey toast for breakfast, bakes honey cake in the afternoon, and drinks honey tea before bed. But one day, the jars on Benedict’s porch are empty. The bees in his backyard have gone on strike! They are tired of doing all the work around the hive. What can Benedict do to make the bees happy and bring sweetness back to his days?

Rent Party Jazz read by Viola DavisThis story is set in New Orleans in the 1930s. Sonny and his mother are scraping by to pay their rent. Mama works in a fish canning factory, and Sonny works for the coal man before school each morning. When Mama loses her job, they no longer have enough money for the rent and fear that the landlord will turn them out. One day Sonny meets Smilin’ Jack, a jazz musician who is playing his trumpet in Jackson Square. Smilin’ Jack offers to play at a party at Sonny’s house to help raise money for the rent. The neighbors all come to sing and dance and before they leave, drop some coins in a bucket. Sonny learns how people can help one another “if they put their minds and hearts to it.”

Sebastian's Roller Skates read by Caitlin WachsSebastian didn't talk very much, even though he had a lot to say. Sebastian was shy. He was very shy. But when he finds a pair of old roller skates in the park, he learns how to do much more than skate…

Snappsy The Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book) read by David HarbourSnappsy the alligator is having a normal day when a pesky narrator steps in to spice up the story. Is Snappsy reading a book ... or is he making CRAFTY plans? Is Snappsy on his way to the grocery store ... or is he PROWLING the forest for defenseless birds and fuzzy bunnies? Is Snappsy innocently shopping for a party ...or is he OBSESSED with snack foods that start with the letter P? What’s the truth?

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch read by Hector ElizondoMr. Hatch is a drab, predictable gentleman who leads a painfully ordered and uninteresting life. One Valentine's Day a giant candy-filled heart is delivered to Mr. Hatch with a note that reads, "Somebody loves you."

Stellaluna read by Pamela ReedWhen Stellaluna is separated from her mother before she is old enough to fly, she finds out that not all winged creatures eat fruit. Swallowing food that crawls is just one of the many amazing things this little fruit bat must learn to do.

Strega Nona read by Mary SteenburgenStrega Nona – “Grandma Witch” – is the source for potions, cures, magic and comfort in her Calabrian town. Her magical ever-full pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony. He is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden, but one day, when she goes over the mountain to visit Strega Amelia, Big Anthony recites the magic verse over the pasta pot, with disastrous results.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble read by Reid ScottSylvester and the Magic Pebble read by Reid Scott, written and illustrated by William Steig. Before everyone recycled…there was a town that had 3,168 tons of garbage and nowhere to put it. What did they do? Enter the Garbage Barge! This mostly true and completely stinky story is sure to make you say “Pee-yew!” Watch all of our videos at https://www.storylineonline.net/.

The Tooth read by Annette BeningMarissa loves candy - maybe too much. When she wakes up with a toothache, her mother takes her to the dentist, and on the way, Marissa notices a man sitting on a grate on the sidewalk to keep warm. So begins a day that Marissa will never forget.

Turkey Trouble read by Marc MaronTurkey is in trouble. Bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving . . . and you’re the main course. But Turkey has an idea--what if he doesn’t look like a turkey? What if he looks like another animal instead? After many hilarious attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise to make this Thanksgiving the best ever! Watch all of our videos at https://www.storylineonline.net/.

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge read by Bradley WhitfordWilfrid lives next to a retirement home, and his favorite old person is 96-year-old Miss Nancy. Everyone says Miss Nancy has lost her memory, and despite the fact that Wilfrid doesn't even know what a memory is, by accident he helps her find it.

Zombies Don't Eat Veggies! read by Jaime CamilMo Romero is a zombie who loves nothing more than growing, cooking, and eating vegetables. Tomatoes? Tantalizing. Peppers? Pure perfection! The problem? Mo’s parents insist that their niño eat only zombie cuisine, like arm-panadas and finger foods. They tell Mo over and over that zombies don’t eat veggies. But Mo can’t imagine a lifetime of just eating zombie food and giving up his veggies. As he questions his own zombie identity, Mo tries his best to convince his parents to give peas a chance.

Here Comes the Garbage Barge read by Justin TherouxBefore everyone recycled…there was a town that had 3,168 tons of garbage and nowhere to put it. What did they do? Enter the Garbage Barge! This mostly true and completely stinky story is sure to make you say “Pee-yew!” Watch all of our videos at http://storylineonline.net

The House That Jane Built read by Kiernan ShipkaThis is the story of Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, who transformed a poor neighborhood in Chicago by opening up her house as a community center.

Thank You, Mr. Falker read by Jane Kaczmarek"Little Trisha is overjoyed at the thought of starting school and learning how to read. But right from the start, when she tries to read, all the letters and numbers just get jumbled up. Her classmates make matters worse by calling her ""dummy"" and ""toad""."

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