Exceptional Videos of Authors Reading Their Books Aloud for Young Students

It’s Marvin’s turn to share his finished story with his class. With the confidence of royalty, he assumes his place on a chair, elevated above his fellow second graders seated on the rug. Marvin smiles and dramatically shakes out his one-of-a-kind DIY scroll—a series of pieces of paper carefully taped together—and begins to read.

This classroom scenario is an example of how finishing a piece of writing is a dual celebration—an ending and a beginning. A published piece of writing means crossing a finish line as the culminating event within the writing process, but it is also a starting line, where a story begins a journey of its own—being read, seen, heard, and shared by others.

Who better to assist with modeling these transitional and celebratory moments than 14 professional authors of picture books?

where to start

Featured below are links to exceptional authors and author/illustrators reading their picture books. Watching these videos, a child can see and hear the diverse faces and voices of authors who have prioritized stories about kids like them.

The benefits of the following list are that each book has these qualities:

• Publicly accessible online
• A full-story picture book read aloud
• Read by the author or author/illustrator of the book
• A story for children about children

Following each book link and description is a list of themes that connect each title to the early childhood curriculum and CASEL’s social and emotional learning framework. These themes can assist teachers in planning how to integrate these videos throughout the school year.

These links can also be included in home communications so that parents and caregivers can watch these engaging and inspiring stories with their children.

Videos Your Students Will Love

1. Drawn Together, by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat (preschool–kindergarten) A young boy and his grandfather do not share a common language, but they do share a common love of drawing. Themes: ESL/ELL, art, and relationship skills

2. Grandma’s Purse, by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (preschool–kindergarten) Sometimes a treasure hunt can be as close as unpacking a grandmother’s purse. Themes: Family, show and tell, and relationship skills

3. Soup Day, by Melissa Iwai (preschool–kindergarten) This procedural book features a mother and child who make soup for a family dinner. Themes: Cooking, STEM, and self-management

4. Clem and Crab, by Fiona Lumbers (preschool–grade three) Clem discovers a crab while beachcombing. Crab makes an unexpected appearance at Show and Tell, which inspires Clem’s classmates to venture to the beach to clean up Crab’s home. Themes: Conservation, show and tell, and responsible decision-making

5. I’m Going to Build a Snowman, by Jashar Awan (preschool–grade three) A young boy’s dream comes true when a winter’s day is perfect for making a snow friend. Themes: Winter/snow, STEAM, and self-management

6. Just Add Glitter, by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill (preschool–grade three) A little girl transforms her house from ordinary to extraordinary with the assistance of glitter. Themes: STEAM, home, and self-awareness

7. Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden, by Christy Mandin (preschool–grade three) Millie moves to a neighborhood that prides itself on conformity and tidiness. Millie’s newly planted garden challenges but also inspires her new community. Themes: Community, gardening, and social awareness

8. Mr. S, by Monica Arnaldo (preschool–grade three) It’s the first day of school for Room 2B. Wait—what? Their teacher is a sandwich?! Themes: First day of school, community, and responsible decision-making

9. Mustafa, by Marie-Louise Gay (kindergarten–grade three) Mustafa moves to a new country, where everything seems so different. On closer inspection, he realizes that the important things, such as having a friend, are the same. Themes: Immigration, ESL/ELL, and relationship skills

10. Paletero Man, by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player (preschool–grade three) What better way to cool down on a hot summer day than a paletero from the Popsicle cart? Themes: Summer, Spanish, and self-management

11. Something, Someday, by Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Christian Robinson (preschool–grade three) A young boy sees that his city block is riddled with garbage. The boy responds with hope and grit and is rewarded with a beautified neighborhood and a new friend. Themes: Community, gardening, and responsible decision-making

12. Soomi’s Sweater, by Susie Oh (preschool–grade three) Soomi’s new sweater has a hole! Her friends offer thoughtful but impractical solutions. Soomi’s mother ultimately repairs the hole to make the sweater better than ever. Themes: STEAM, home-school connection, and social awareness

13. The Sound of Kindness, by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, illustrated by Teresa Martinez (kindergarten–grade three) A parent and child head out for a neighborhood walk to discover words and gestures associated with kindness. Themes: Community, civics, and social awareness

14. Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts (kindergarten–grade two) Part of the Rosie Revere, Engineer series, this book follows Sofia, who’s inspired to find a way to transform a junk site into a park when her abuelo injures himself at the landfill. Everyone in her community has ideas, but how can Sofia get everyone to help? Themes: Civics, STEM, and responsible decision-making