The Power of Reading Aloud Series (3 of 4): Choosing the Right Books

This article is part of our 4-part series on storytelling with nonverbal learners: Why Reading Aloud Matters, Making Story Time Interactive, Choosing the Right Books, and Extending the Story Beyond the Book.

Selecting the right materials for read-aloud time means balancing what your child loves with opportunities to introduce new kinds of texts. For many nonverbal learners, high-interest books are the easiest entry point: picture-heavy stories, silly rhymes, or nonfiction topics they are fascinated by. Supporting these choices matters because it keeps students motivated and engaged in reading.

At the same time, sprinkling in grade- or age-level material helps expose students to the language, vocabulary, and themes their peers are hearing. This builds background knowledge and ensures that students are not limited only to simplified texts. For example, in my own home, my 12-year-old daughter loves books that are often geared toward a younger crowd, and we happily read those together. But I also bring in older material from time to time, like a Nancy Drew or The Babysitter's Club book, and read a page or two as she tolerates it. This way, she enjoys her favorite stories while also gaining exposure to age-appropriate content in small, manageable pieces.

Mr. Sims, our resident special education teacher, often shares that an effective method for growth is to select four age-appropriate books each year to read with your student. A good way to begin is by introducing one book each semester, then gradually building up exposure. This kind of scaffolding allows students to revisit higher-level material consistently, which strengthens their skills and confidence over time.

For many students, videos are a favorite way to engage with stories. Platforms like YouTube offer countless storybooks read aloud with animations, music, or expressive voices that bring the text to life. Websites such as Vooks.com also provide narrated, animated versions of children’s books that can capture attention and make stories easier to follow. Using video read-alouds can be especially helpful for students who struggle to sit with a physical book, since the movement and sound keep them engaged while still giving them the same exposure to language and storytelling. Parents can watch alongside their child, pausing to point out details or model AAC phrases just as they would with a book in hand. Audiobooks are another simple option; playing them in the house during routines or on car rides gives students more chances to hear rich language and follow along with stories in a flexible way.

By combining high-interest texts with occasional “stretch” material, parents and teachers can meet students where they are while still building toward higher-level comprehension and literacy goals.

Putting It Into Practice

As you think about which books to share next, keep these three ideas in mind:

1. Balance interest and growth. Offer favorite, familiar stories alongside age-appropriate texts that stretch your student’s language and comprehension little by little.

2. Mix formats. Combine print books with videos or audiobooks to keep reading accessible and enjoyable, no matter your child’s attention span.

3. Stay flexible. Your student’s interests will shift — and that’s a good thing. Follow their curiosity and adjust as you go.

Every story, no matter the format, is a chance to connect. With variety, patience, and a bit of creativity, reading becomes something your student can truly look forward to.

Coming soon:
In our final part of our 4-part series on reading aloud, we’ll talk about extending stories beyond the book with simple ideas for crafts, play, and real-life connections. 

Sources & References

1. Reading Rockets — Reading Aloud: Tips for Parents
   https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/reading-aloud/articles/reading-aloud-tips-parents
   
   
2. PMC — Shared Reading Interventions With Children With Language Impairments
   https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3319370
   
   
3. Edutopia — Why We Still Need Read-Alouds for Older Kids
   https://www.edutopia.org/article/why-we-still-need-read-alouds-older-kids
   
   
4. Vooks — What is Vooks?
   https://www.vooks.com/ 
    
5. Scholastic — The Power of Audiobooks for All Readers
   https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/power-audiobooks-all-readers/

Jennifer Bullock, Contributing Author

Homeschooling-experienced mom to a tween, non-speaking daughter, Jennifer is also Marketing Outreach Coordinator for The Autism Oasis. With 20+ years experience in marketing, advertising, and social media communications, you will see her occasionally supporting the blog and social media channels with various content related to Autism Oasis.