Audiobooks offer children an engaging way to explore narratives, characters, and lessons that last a lifetime. From the whimsical adventures of a genius little girl named Matilda to the heartwarming tales of friendship in “Charlotte’s Web,” each audiobook in this collection transports young listeners to realms where imagination knows no bounds.
These stories, rich with life lessons, laughter, and adventures, serve not only to entertain but also to educate and inspire. As children listen to the tales of courage in “I am Neil Armstrong” or the creative problem-solving in “Howl’s Moving Castle,” they’re invited on a journey that nurtures their love for learning, expands their understanding of the world, and ignites their inner spark of curiosity and adventure.
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Audiobooks for Kids
Here are our best picks for audiobooks for kids:
1. Matilda, by Roald Dahl
Matilda is a young girl with extraordinary intelligence who does not fit in with her parents, who view her as an annoyance. Matilda experiences a rocky start to school when she meets Miss Trunchbull, a cruel headmistress who despises children. Matilda soon discovers that she has the remarkable power to fight back against Miss Trunchbull, and Matilda finds the strength to stand up for herself.
2. Charlotte’s Web, by E. B. White
Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White, is a timeless classic about the remarkable friendship between Charlotte the spider, Wilbur the pig, and Fern the little girl. Charlotte weaves words into her web like ‘some pig’ and ‘humble’ to express her feelings for Wilbur who desperately wants a friend. Charlotte’s words, along with Fern’s unconditional love for Wilbur and her determination to save him from death, create a beautiful story about the power of friendship and loyalty.
3. James Herriot’s Treasury for Children: Warm and Joyful Animal Tales, by James Herriot
James Herriot’s Treasury for Children by James Herriot is a compilation of James Herriot’s beloved children’s stories. From the charming tale of Oscar, Cat-About-Town to the heartwarming story of The Christmas Day Kitten, each story is full of warmth, caring and good humour, sure to delight younger readers.
4. Howl’s Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones
Howl’s Moving Castle, written by Diana Wynne Jones, tells the story of Sophie Hatter, the eldest of three daughters in a family destined to fail if they leave home. When Sophie inadvertently attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste and is cursed to become an old lady, she must journey to Howl’s Moving Castle, the home of the wizard Howl. Over the course of her journey, Sophie discovers that there is much more to Howl and herself than what meets the eye…
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5. Owl at Home, by Arnold Lobel
Owl at Home, by Arnold Lobel, is a classic I Can Read book that is perfect for homeschooling children ages 5-7. The story follows the mysterious Owl as he lives alone in his cozy home, but always has room for visitors, who he meets on his strolls around town.
6. Mr. Popper’s Penguins, by Richard Atwater, Florence Atwater
Mr. Popper’s Penguins is a classic American children’s book written by Richard and Florence Atwater and published in 1938. The story follows Mr. Popper, a humble house painter who unexpectedly finds himself the proud owner of 12 penguins after receiving one male penguin from the great Admiral Drake and subsequently being gifted a female companion.
7. The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler
The Gruffalo is an audiobook adaptation of the classic children’s picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The story follows a mouse who is taking a stroll through the deep, dark wood, when it encounters a fox, owl, and snake that are all hungry for a snack. The mouse is good enough to eat, but it’s also smart enough to know this, so it invents the legendary Gruffalo creature with terrible claws and tusks in its jaws, knobbly knees and turned-out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of its nose!
8. The Secret Zoo, by Bryan Chick
The Secret Zoo, by Bryan Chick, is an exciting and mysterious adventure story about four brave friends who investigate the strange behavior of animals at the Clarksville City Zoo. The group consists of Noah, his sister Megan, and their two best friends Richie and Ella. One day, Megan mysteriously disappears and her brother and friends realize it’s up to them to find her. The only way they can do this is by following a series of clues and sneaking into the zoo. Along their journey, the kids discover that there’s much more to the Clarksville City Zoo than meets the eye.
9. See You in the Cosmos, by Jack Cheng
See You in the Cosmos, by Jack Cheng, is a heartwarming middle-grade novel about an 11-year old boy’s quest to understand his place in the universe. Alex wants to launch his iPod into space with audio recordings that will show other lifeforms what life on Earth is like. Along his journey of self-discovery, Alex discovers the power of courage, the importance of family and home, and how to appreciate life’s beauty in all its complexity.
10. One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia
The One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia tells the story of eleven-year-old Delphine and her younger sisters Vonetta and Fern, who travel to Oakland to meet their mother Cecil. When they arrive, Cecil is cold and distant, displaying no interest in her daughters. But when she sees them at a Black Panther rally, reciting a poem she had written, her attitude begins to change. One Crazy Summer follows the girls as they experience their One Crazy Summer with Cecil and find out just how much of a difference it can make when someone is willing to give them the love and care they deserve.
11. Magic Tree House Collection: Books 1-8, by Mary Pope Osborne
Magic Tree House Collection: Books 1-8, by Mary Pope Osborne is an audio collection filled with exciting adventures set in exotic and mysterious times and places. The collection features the following stories: Dinosaurs Before Dark, The Knight at Dawn, Mummies in the Morning, Pirates Past Noon, Night of the Ninjas, Afternoon on the Amazon, Sunset of the Sabertooth, and Midnight on the Moon.
12. Anne of Green Gables, by L. M. Montgomery
Anne of Green Gables, by L. M. Montgomery, is the story of Anne Shirley, an eleven-year-old orphan who has been bouncing between foster homes and orphanages her entire life. When Anne is sent to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert at their farmhouse named Green Gables, Anne is determined to make it her home. Anne Shirley is an imaginative and mischievous girl, who loves to talk and has a fiery temper. Despite Anne’s initial difficulties fitting in, she finds a family at Green Gables and learns the value of belonging somewhere.
Final thoughts
From the courage and resilience of real-life heroes like Jane Goodall and Martin Luther King Jr. to the imaginative escapades of characters in “The Gruffalo” and “Magic Tree House,” these audiobooks have offered children a rich tapestry of experiences. They’ve learned about friendship, bravery, and the power of dreaming big, all while developing a deeper love for storytelling. Audiobooks like these not only entertain young minds but also teach them valuable life lessons, making them a cherished part of childhood.
