Ten top books to read aloud to children

William Sutcliffe is the author of five adult novels, including the international bestseller, Are You Experienced?. His first novel for Young Adults, The Wall, was published in 2013 and has had much critical acclaim, including being longlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize and shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. Circus of Thieves is his first novel for younger children.

One title on his top ten list of books to read aloud to children, as shared at the Guardian:

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

As children start reading longer books, one of the curious experiences you have as a bedtime reader sharing the task with a spouse is reading books in alternating ten page chunks, without ever finding out exactly what happens in the missing sections. This is not how any writer wants to be read, but few books stand up to this treatment better than Lemony Snicket. There is joy to be had in the gothic richness of every sentence, with subtle jokes aimed at adults cleverly pitched to not exclude the listening child. The whole series is excellent, as are the audio books.

Read about another entry on the list.

A Series of Unfortunate Events is on Matt Whyman's top ten list of unusual fictional families and John Mullan's list of ten of the best poisonings in literature.

Also see: Mal Peet's top ten books to read aloud to children.

--Marshal Zeringue