7 Stories For Silly Voices and Excited Shouts

If you and your child enjoy the theatrical side of storytelling, full of loud bangs, silly voices and excited imitations then look no further than the books in this category. These stories are full of opportunities for you both to make each other giggle with silly voices and excited shouts as the books progress. Whether your child is eager to hear you try to imitate an aristocratic cat, a pirate or a scary ghoul, there’s sure to be the perfect tale for them in this category of stories for silly voices.

If you’re looking for something a bit more sedate then head to The Bedtime Story Finder for a wide selection of perfect choices for bedtime reading.

Editor’s Note: See more on our dedicated bedtime story topic page.

Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot

Who goes by names such as the Mystery Cat’, the Hidden Paw’, and even the Napoleon of Crime’? Which moggy has a cup of tea, with perhaps a drop of Scotch, while he’s keeping watch’? And just how do you address a cat in the right and proper manner? The legendary T.S. Eliot is on hand to introduce us to the wonderful, secret and mysterious world of cats, in the poetry collection that inspired Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Cats. A treasure for cat-lovers and children of all ages, with lines you’ll enjoy ruminating over for long afterwards – just like our feline friends in profound meditation’ on the sofa.

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

August “Auggie” Pullman is a ten year old boy with a facial disfigurement. After being home-schooled for most of his life, his parents are keen to enrol him in a regular school, to Auggie’s utter trepidation. Each chapter of the book is narrated by a different character (though Auggie’s voice is most prominent), showing very clearly the mixed reactions of all who come into contact with Auggie. Wonder is a brilliant novel about friendship, bullying, accepting others, and most importantly accepting yourself.

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman

Anyone familiar with Gaiman’s penchant for the bizarre and unusual in Doctor Who or Coraline, will love Fortunately, the Milk. A truly absurd story, spun by the father of two children awaiting his return from the corner shop with milk for their cereal, Gaiman carries the reader through a labyrinth of time and space to encounter a series of fascinating and sometimes terrifying characters, all of whom are bent on preventing the father from making it home with the milk intact. With aliens, pirates, dinosaurs, wumpires and a Volcano God making an appearance, this fantastical book begs to be read aloud in various ridiculous voices, and will delight parents and children alike with its off the wall humour.

Slog’s Dad by David Almond

Dave McKean’s artwork turns David Almond’s short story into a wonderful graphic novel/picture book hybrid. Slog’s dad is dead, but Slog is certain that the man sitting on the bench across the square is him, come back to see Slog, like he said he would. In the spring. A deeply moving tale, it explores not only grief and loss but also the most surprising sources of hope and comfort. The book’s collage of images provides an insight into Slog’s memory, as well as the depths of his heart and soul as he both remembers his dad and connects with the stranger on the square.

Cloud Busting by Malorie Blackman

‘Write a poem about someone near to you or dear to you.’ Mr Mackie’s homework assignment has the class groaning in despair: everyone, that is, except Sam. So begins a beautiful novel written entirely in verse – Sam’s poem and tribute to his friend Dave, now absent. A brilliant story to read aloud, especially with its irregular line endings, lending the words a natural conversational rhythm, as well as emphases that both you and your child will find thought-provoking. But Cloud Busting will not only challenge childrens’ ideas of what a poem should or might be. In two devastating chapters – What Should’ve Happened’ and What Did Happen’ – it will also challenge them to consider the cost of not being true to yourself.

Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts by Roald Dahl

Told through a fantastical and gruesome lens, these memorable rhymes give a fantastic way for children to explore some classic fairytales and fables in a completely unorthodox way. Dahl reimagines Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White, Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs, providing in this book a sure staple for all children’s bookshelves: indeed, many parents are likely to remember enjoying these grisly tales first time round!

Room 13 by Robert Swindells

Daylight makes us forget our dreams, or else they seem funny – even the scary ones’. But Felicity Fliss’ Morgan knows better than to trust her mum on this one. The next day her Year 2 class head to Whitby, to one particularly creepy guest house, with 12 (or perhaps 13) rooms, in the ultimate spooky school trip – an excellent story for sleepovers! Can Fliss save the class from a certain vampiric resident? Robert Swindells’ staccato sentences will be great fun to deliver, especially with a torch to hand. Expect shivers and squeals, and make sure your kids are the type who can still sleep easy…

We hope you and your child have found the perfect book to snuggle up in your kid’s bed together tonight.