Amazing Audiobooks For Kids
It’s not hard to find junk books for kids. So, I set out to find quality audiobooks that I knew my children would benefit from.
The benefits of children listening to amazing audiobooks are numerous, too many to list here. But just to give you a taste, here are some:
-improves reading comprehension
-builds vocabulary skills
-models fluent reading
-allows children to access complex grammatical structures above their own reading level
-builds phonics and word recognition skills
and so much more!
Get your kids enjoying audiobooks by choosing good ones. They won’t want to stop listening!
If you don’t want to fork over a monthly fee to pay for audiobooks from scribd or audible, you have other options. Begin at your library to see if they have hoopla, or overdrive. The options rotate, so you may have something this month that you didn’t get last month. You can also check to see if a decent audiobook version exists on youtube, archive, or anyaudiobook.
Here are a list of our favorite audiobooks for kids…
Little House on the Prairie
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
We listened to most of this series as a family on road trips. The older ones and younger ones enjoyed it.
You will be transformed to a simpler time and begin to relate to the members of the Ingalls family. This series is truly one for the entire family. Their journeys and challenges inspire and draw in readers of all ages. You will not find anything objectionable or inappropriate. These are some of our favorite audiobooks for kids.
The series list in order: Little House in the Big Woods, Farmer Boy, Little House on the Prairie, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, The First Four Years.
Charlotte's Web
by E.B. White
A beloved children’s classic that explores wholesome values such as friendship, loss, hope, and courage. Also check out Trumpet of the Swan by the same author.
The Chronicles of Narnia
by C.S. Lewis
We listened to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a family and even my 5-year-old enjoyed it. Some of the older kids went on to listen to the rest of the series. My older children enjoyed the other books: The Magician’s Nephew, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Beware that the last two books in the series, The Silver Chair and The Last Battle, may be too heavy for some children.
The first two in the series are read here for free!
The Wheel on the School
by Meindert DeJong
DeJong is one of those writers who can take words and a simple story and make a masterpiece. If you come across a book of hers on audio, go for it. You will not be disappointed.
This story transports you to a Dutch fishing village where children try to find a solution to a local problem involving storks. Neighbors and villagers work with the children. It is a sweet, simple story. The small details make you want to stop and smell the roses.
The Hundred Dresses
by Eleanor Estes
A great choice as a family read-aloud or an audiobook. A lovely story about a poor polish immigrant who is bullied in school. She ends up impressing her schoolmates and teaching valuable lessons as well. Children will empathize with the main character and hopefully think twice before judging others. It is a thought-provoking, sweet story.
Betsy-Tacy
by Maud Hart Lovelace
Listen to Betsy-Tacy by one of our favorite Librivox readers, Kara Shallenberg. She also recorded Betsy-Tacy and Tib, Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill, and Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown. My girls fell in love with these beautiful stories of friendship. There are ten books in the series, all highly recommended!
The Courage of Sarah Noble
by Alice Dalgliesh
A Newberry winner for good reason. Get wrapped up in the journey of an 8 year-old who musters courage to do difficult things. Based on a true story, children can learn valuable lessons from Sarah’s bravery.
Watership Down
by Richard Adams
My mother’s favorite childhood book. Adapted for film, television, and theater, the story of a group of rabbits and there harrowing plight inspires leaders everywhere. A surprising amount of depth for an animal tale, this wonderful story can be enjoyed at any age.
James Herriot's Treasury for Children
by James Herriot
Definitely a treasure, this collection of stories of a country vet stir up heartwarming feelings. Delightful tales about animals that are rescued, loved and cared for with a little humor sprinkled in. This would make a good first audiobook.
They even inspired a PBS show that is not too bad (not made for kids, however).
A Year in Brambly Hedge
by Jill Barklem
This would also make a good first audiobook. Sweet stories about animals through the year. Sweet, peaceful mouse adventures enchant and delight little children. If you choose to do the audiobook, you may want to grab the physical copy as well. The illustrations are adorable.
The Lighthouse Family (Series)
by Cynthia Rylant
I have never met a Cynthia Rylant book I haven’t liked. Here you will find another great series for kids beginning audiobooks. The characters in these short stories exhibit kindness and just enough adventure to entertain even preschoolers. Check out Rosetown and In Aunt Lucy’s Kitchen as well.
The Melendy Quartet (series)
by Elizabeth Enright
Listen here for free read by Kara Shallenberg. The stages of life and enduring love of a family delight readers. The books are made up of everyday adventures. A sweet read.
Sara, Plain and Tall (series)
by Patricia Machlachlan
My second daughter listened to all of these when she was 8, and then listened to them again. Then begged to watch the movie. They are delightful. The series has five books: Sarah, Plain and Tall, Skylark, Caleb’s Story, More Perfect than the Moon, and Grandfather’s Dance.
By the Great Horn Spoon
by Sid Fleischman
A witty and funny tale about the gold rush. Listen to a free version read by Kara Shallenberg here.
Gone-Away Lake
by Elizabeth Enright
Two friends discover an abandoned town while out exploring. They find two people still living there who know what happened to the town. Boys and girls alike will enjoy this mystery.
Heart of a Samurai
by Margi Preus
One of my son’s favorites. A Japanese fishing boat sinks and the crew, including a 14-year old boy, swim to a nearby island. Rescued by an American whaling boat, he learns a lot about people, culture, courage, friendship, and overcoming prejudice.
The Door in the Wall
by Marguerite De Angeli
We did this as a family read aloud when we studied the middle ages, but it is also available as an audiobook.
The main character, a boy name Robin, has an accident while his parents are away. He has to trust a friar and his own resilience to overcome his disadvantages.
I really liked the central message of this book “if you walk along a wall long enough, you will find a door.” When hardships and trials come, there is still hope.
Understood Betsy
by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Elizabeth Ann has lived a sheltered life until she goes moves to the country with her cousins. Being pulled out of her comfort zone, she is forced to figure out how to do things herself, make friends, and be a member of a family. She learns responsibility and independence. The story has a nostalgic feel and really illustrates the feelings and emotions of the characters.
I hope you find this list of amazing audiobooks for kids helpful!
All of my kids have an audiobook they are currently listening to. Sometimes they listen to the same book multiple times.
I hope you find some treasures from this list as well.
Be sure to check out my list on best free audiobooks on Librivox.
Also see my list of family read-alouds.
I will be adding books to this list as I find more treasures. Did I miss one of your favorites? Feel free to leave me a comment.
Until then, enjoy the story!
♥ Melanie
