Hoot, Howl and Sneeze: 6 Picture Books for Maximum Read-Aloud Joy

There are two kinds of story time: the one where listeners’ heads drop sleepily onto your shoulders and the one that feels, refreshingly, like a table read for the theater of the absurd. The former is sweet and cozy. The latter sparks audience participation and requests for an encore. If you’re going for this vibe and in the mood to strut your stuff as a raconteur, start here.

From “The Gruffalo.”Credit…Axel Scheffler

The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson; illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Donaldson’s trusty dynamo is like a scoop of fine vanilla ice cream: enjoyable on its own, but dial up the extras and you have a hot fudge sundae (of sorts). Indeed, “The Gruffalo” boasts a buffet of crowd-pleasing features, including an uncomplicated rhyme scheme (wood/good, mouse/house), repeating lines (the better to inspire group participation) and a wide range of voices (mouse, fox, owl, snake and, yes, gruffalo). Suspense is just an added bonus from the team who brought us “Room on the Broom.”

Hear Imelda Staunton Read It

“The Gruffalo”

From “Looking for a Jumbie.”Credit…Amber Ren

Looking for a Jumbie, by Tracey Baptiste; illustrated by Amber Ren

What are jumbies? you might wonder. They’re creatures from Caribbean stories, akin to fairies or trolls, Baptiste tells us in her introduction. “Some live in the forest,” she writes. “Some live in the water. Some soar up into the sky.” In this fantastical story, a little girl named Naya sets out to meet some jumbies for herself. Conveniently for the person turning the pages, she crosses paths with a bevy of creatures, each with the potential for a different voice — high and squeaky, deep and growly, it’s your call. My personal favorite is a jumbie of the douen variety, known for its small stature, backward feet and big mouth. Imagine Dobby, of “Harry Potter” fame.