When you open a book, something magical happens. Suddenly, you can travel to faraway lands, meet fascinating characters, solve mysteries or learn about our amazing world—all without leaving your favorite reading spot.

That’s why National Reading Month, celebrated every March, is one of our favorite celebrations of the year.

Why Reading Together Matters

Did you know that reading together as a family isn’t just fun—it’s also one of the most important things you can do to build strong literacy skills? When families read together, children:

• Learn new words and ideas
• Develop stronger listening and thinking skills
• Build imagination and creativity
• Create special bonds with family members
• Develop a lifelong love of reading

Even just 15 minutes of family reading time each day can make a big difference in a child’s reading skills and school success!

National PTA Staff Book Picks

This month, we asked the wonderful staff at the National PTA to share their all-time favorite books. Their picks range from beloved children’s classics to exciting young adult adventures, and even some grown-up favorites that you might enjoy reading with your family when you’re older. Here are their recommendations, organized by age group:

Picture Books (Great for Younger Readers)

• “Harold and the Purple Crayon” by Crockett Johnson (Paul’s pick) – Follow Harold as he creates his own world with just a purple crayon!
• “Blueberries for Sal” by Robert McCloskey (Paul’s pick) – A delightful story about a little girl and a little bear who mix up their mothers while picking blueberries.
• “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen (Ive Castro’s pick) – A classic tale about finding where you belong.
• “Ferdinand” by Munro Leaf (Kris Carey Prevatte’s pick) – The story of a bull who would rather smell flowers than fight.
• “Red: A Crayon’s Story” by Michael Hall (Miya Libes’s pick) – A blue crayon mistakenly labeled as red struggles to be true to his inner self.
• “Ada Twist, Scientist” by Andrea Beaty (Miya Libes’s pick) – Celebrate curiosity and the power of asking “why?”
• “Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast” by Josh Funk (Jess’s pick) – A fun food adventure in the refrigerator!
• “When God Made You” by Matthew Paul Turner (Francina’s pick) – A celebration of individuality and divine love.
• “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak (Francina & Emily S’s pick) – Join Max on his wild adventure!
• “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt (Emily S’s pick) – What happens when your crayons have had enough?
• “Barnyard Dance” by Sandra Boynton (Heidi’s pick) – A toe-tapping, hand-clapping barnyard party!
• “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault (Heidi’s pick) – The alphabet adventure up a coconut tree.
• “I Wonder” by Kari Anne Holt (France’s pick) – A celebration of curiosity and imagination.
• “The Wonderful Pigs of Jillian Jiggs” by Phoebe Gilman (France’s pick) – A creative girl’s stuffed animal adventure.
• “The Very First You” and “Bedtime Stories for Hard Days” by Scott Stuart (Leslie’s picks) – Heartwarming stories about being yourself and handling tough emotions.

Middle Grade Reads (For Independent Readers)

• “Junie B. Jones is not a Crook” by Barbara Park (Linda Johnson’s pick) – Follow the hilarious adventures of Junie B. Jones!
• “Holes” by Louis Sachar (Linda Johnson’s pick) – A mysterious tale of friendship, fate, and perseverance.
• “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen (Patrick’s pick) – A survival story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
• “Maniac Magee” by Jerry Spinelli (Patrick’s pick) – An orphan’s adventures challenge racial boundaries in a divided town.
• “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster (Daniel Ehrenpreis’s pick) – A magical journey through a land where words and numbers come alive.
• “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick (Julia F’s pick) – A stunning novel told in words and pictures.
• “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle (Jim’s pick) – A cosmic adventure across time and space.
• “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney (Jim’s pick) – The hilarious illustrated diary of middle schooler Greg Heffley.
• “City of Ember Series” by Jeanne DuPrau (Denise’s pick) – An underground city is running out of light and time!
• “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis (Denise’s pick) – Step through the wardrobe into a magical land.

Young Adult and Beyond

• “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien (E Miller’s pick) – Join Bilbo Baggins on an unexpected journey.
• “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (Ive Castro’s pick) – A poetic tale about friendship and human nature.
• “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon (Daniel Ehrenpreis’s pick) – A mystery told from the perspective of a teen with an extraordinary mind.
• “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak (Amy W’s pick) – A powerful story set during World War II.
• “Babel” by R.F. Kuang (Emily A’s pick) – A fantasy about language, colonialism, and revolution.
• “The Anthropocene Reviewed” by John Green (Emily A’s pick) – Essays rating different facets of our human-centered planet.
• “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck (Cam Bullet’s pick) – A family saga exploring good and evil.
• “The Nix” by Nathan Hill (Cam Bullet’s pick) – A sprawling novel about family secrets and American history.
• “Bel Canto” by Ann Patchett (Kris Carey Prevatte’s pick) – A hostage situation brings unlikely people together.
• “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller (Xander’s pick) – A satirical war novel full of paradoxes.
• “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams (Xander’s pick) – A hilarious sci-fi adventure through space.
• “A Light in the Attic” by Shel Silverstein (Jess’s pick) – Whimsical poetry for readers of all ages.
• “The Swimmers” by Julie Otsuka (Michele’s pick) – A novel about a group of swimmers and memory loss.
• “The Only Woman in the Room” by Marie Benedict (Michele’s pick) – The story of actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr.
• “Nine Coaches Waiting” by Mary Stewart (Michele’s pick) – A gothic romance and mystery.
• “The Mitford Series” by Jan Karon (Michele’s pick) – Heartwarming tales of a small-town rector.
• Works by Alison Weir (Michele’s pick) – Historical fiction and non-fiction about royal history.
• “Nicholas & Alexandra” by Robert Massie (Michele’s pick) – The story of the last Russian tsar and his family.

No matter which books you choose to read this month, the most important thing is spending that special time together, creating memories and building literacy skills that will last a lifetime. 

Happy National Reading Month from all of us at Our Children Magazine!