The best books to read aloud and by yourself

Lifelong love of reading: gift ideas for best agers and all those who will become best agers!

Reading educates and reading aloud is good for you. According to Stiftung Lesen, this is true not only for children and grandchildren, but also for senior citizens. The problem with increasing age: the eyes are weaker, which makes reading more difficult. However, reading different stories together stimulates conversations across generations. In addition to reading for oneself, reading aloud is also enriching. There is hardly an easier activity to spend time with your own children or grandchildren! In addition to children, less "literate" adults and senior citizens also enjoy having stories read to them.

Reading and reading aloud challenges and promotes the mind, imagination and concentration of all groups of people and age groups. The right reading also builds bridges across generations, providing conversation and storytelling opportunities for young and old.

A favourite at nursery school

The Gruffalo (Julia Donaldson): The little mouse boasts to her predators in the forest that the terrible Grüffelo is her friend. Finally, she actually meets him and even tricks him with her stories.

The Little Caterpillar Never ending (Eric Carle): One of the children's book classics of all time! Children playfully experience the development of a caterpillar with a big appetite into a beautiful butterfly.

Max and Moritz (Wilhelm Busch): The author of this work is considered the first comic artist ever. The adventures of Max and Moritz are classics of children's literature and, thanks to humorous pictures, as entertaining as ever.

The colourful book: An absolute gold treasure among fairy tale books. Incredibly beautifully illustrated and full of stories on two facing pages each; a book for a few precious minutes a day and a treasure of fairy tales that will be remembered well into old age.

Fairy tales (Grimm's fairy tales, fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen): Whether by the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen or other authors - fairy tales are firmly anchored in children's literature and are part of life. People have always told each other stories. An insider tip for those who don't know them yet: Fairy tales from the Czech Republic are always very popular with children.

Schoolchildren will love these classics

The Little Witch (Otfried Preußler): Several short stories about the little witch, who wants to be a good witch, and her raven Abraxas, strive towards the grand finale: Walpurgis Night on Blocksberg. Will the little witch pass the test? Perfect book for the daily bedtime story!

The Little Ghost (Otfried Preußler): Similar to the story about the little witch, but this is about the adventure of a ghost. Very popular read-aloud book for primary school-age children.

Der Räuber Hotzenplotz (Otfried Preußler): An absolute classic by now are the adventures of Kasperl and Seppl, their grandmother, the robber Hotzenplotz and the evil wizard Petrosilius Zwackelmann. In 2018, a previously unpublished fourth part was published: Der Räuber Hotzenplotz und die Mondrakete.

Fairy tale books: All kinds of fairy tales are and remain interesting, even at school age.

The Neverending Story (Michael Ende): The author Michael Ende has written children's books with depth that adults also enjoy. A super author for reading aloud, highly recommended and sometimes with just as much depth are the books by Astrid Lindgren (e.g. Michel von Lönneberga, Pippi Longstocking).

If you want to read to older people and spend time with them in this way, you should - as far as possible - agree with them on topics that interest them. Audio books, which are available for all genres on the market, may be suitable as a gift. Almost anything is suitable for reading aloud, depending on mental health.

Spiritual literature

The Seagull Jonathan (Richard Bach): A classic about the power of the mind and the immortality of the soul, evolution and the dream of "being who you are". Great self-realisation classic.

The Three Lights of Little Veronica (Manfred Kyber): In the time before awakening, man is still open and receptive to the messages of fairies and mythical creatures. A fantastic book about the spiritual magic of the first years of life and a promise that there is more between heaven and earth than we dare to dream.

The Initiation (Elisabeth Haich): This is a story on the themes of reincarnation, evolution, the meaning of life, the history of humanity and many philosophical issues, embedded in a novel of development. Popular as a spiritual book with uniqueness values.

Sophie's World (Jostein Gaarder): A journey through the world of philosophy. All the great philosophers are presented here in a short and understandable way. A fabulous book about a girl who finds notes that confront her with elementary questions. The best introduction to the world of philosophy, the world of the friends of wisdom.

Hermann Hesse's novels of development are exciting and full of wisdom, for example:

• Narcissus and Goldmund
• Siddharta
• The Steppenwolf

The Bible and other religious works, depending on the denomination, are also good reading aloud and are usually gratefully received.

Fairy tales

The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry): This classic tells the story of the little prince who, in search of a sheep to protect his rose on planet B612, meets all sorts of strange types on their very own planets. His story is told by the author himself, the pilot. A much-quoted core message from it: "You only see well with your heart. The essential is invisible to the eyes."

Tragic knowledge: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry disappeared after a reconnaissance flight. Neither he nor his plane were ever found.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adam): Fun fantasy full of surprising moments. A joy for listener and reader.

The Thirteen and a Half Lives of Captain Blue Bear (Walter Moers): No, this is not a children's book. Yes, this is actually something for adults. Walter Moers has his Käpt'n Blaubär tell outrageous stories. Hilarious with potential risks for laughing fits.

Books with fairy tales, sagas and legends, fables and short stories always remain interesting. A tip: The Colours of Reality and The Cuddle Story.

The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho): A great dream and a great journey. Fantastic head-turner with an interesting ending.

Dreamcatcher (Marlo Morgan): The author talks about her time in the Australian outback with the Aborigines and what message she got from them for the world. In reality, it is a fictional story, but it could well be true and is therefore captivating.

Night Train to Lisbon (Carlos Ruiz Zafon): What can happen to a teacher bored with his life when one day he just gets off and gets on the night train to Lisbon.

Poetry

Hermann Hesse and Rainer Maria Rilke are wonderful to read aloud. There are even audio books by Schönherz and Fleer with musical accompaniment. A great, great listening experience that you can't get enough of.

Heinz Erhardt - this comedian of yesteryear is very much on the rise again today. A classic for young and old. A rhyming and corny genius. Also very good for reading aloud.

Laughter

The liver grows with its tasks: Health knowledge in a humorous way by Eckart von Hirschhausen.

Dieter Nuhr and Dieter Hildebrand: Very funny books on society and politics; cabaret artists. Very inspiring, sometimes a bit biting. That's how it should be.

Ich bin dann mal weg (Hape Kerkeling): His own experiences on the Way of St. James. Funny and full of insights. A bestseller for good reason.

Short Stories by Fyodor Dostoyevsky: The Strange Woman and the Husband Under the Bed - an unusual incident is especially recommended. Those who know Dostoevsky as a profound author will be surprised by his funny side in this story.