The Best {FREE} Audiobooks on Librivox for Kids
What could be better than free quality audiobooks from Librivox for kids?
Children learn more from hearing a book read to them then reading themselves. This is true for many reasons, including the fact that they are more focused on context than written text, but also because they can listen to a reading level 2 to 4 levels higher than their own. This opens a new world of vocabulary, sentence structures, comprehension and more.
In our home, all of my children have an audiobook they are currently listening to (and you should hear the pleas I get when it is time for a new one). I have had to keep lists at the ready for any one of my children when they finish a book. They gobble up stories like a fine feast! Lucky for us, Librivox offers free audiobooks (all are in the public domain). If you don’t like a reader, simply switch to a new one!
Note: Download the Librivox App or use it from a computer. Oftentimes several versions and readers exist for one book. If one reader is not to your liking, simply try a different one.
Here is a list of some of our favs…
by Johanna Spyri
I seem to be recommending Heidi, but what I mean to say is…read everything by Johanna Spyri. Innocence, kindness, Godliness, all wrapped up in beautiful Swiss landscapes with adorable stories and endearing characters. Also try Cornelli, Little Miss Grasshopper, Maezli, Moni The Goat Boy, The Rose Child, Toni the Little Woodcarver, and Veronica.
by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
A story of a sheltered child who goes to live with family on a farm and learns a great deal. You will be hooked from the start and guessing until the end what will happen. A very real, emotional, nostalgic story with a high moral and literary value.
by Kenneth Grahame
An enchanting story full of adventures. Perfect for little boys–and little girls too! Funny and entertaining, this is the type of story that kids reference later. It makes a great read aloud and a wonderful audiobook.
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
A wealthy little girl moves to a boarding school. She is treated as a princess until the untimely death of her father causes her to become destitute. She must then work for her living at the school. She learns valuable lessons about friendship and joy.
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Kara Shallenburg is one of our favorite readers on Librivox. She speaks clearly and is easy to listen to. This story is another great by Burnett. Also about a recently orphaned little girl sent to live with an uncle in a remote estate.
I remember loving this charming story as a child. Her journey through the challenges life throws at her and her growth in the end makes for a beautiful story.
by Charles Major
An adventure story about a little boy in pioneer days. Boys would love to hear this adventurous tale where at times, the protagonist faces a bear and other excitements in nature. This book would accompany pioneer history lessons well.
by John Bunyan
One of the most widely read books in the English language. Written while Bunyan was imprisoned for refusing to convert to Anglicanism. It is a Christian allegorical tale, a journey through life to reach heaven. Parents should be aware of large use of dialogue, the references to monsters, spiritual terrors, and demons in the Shadow of Death. Some children can read this in middle school, others may need to wait. Either way, it is a great classic read with profound lessons for us all.
by Howard Pyle
From the writer of Robin Hood , and Men of Iron (both also recommended!), comes this adventure tale set in the middle ages. The use of vibrant language and writing depicts the character of a boy faced with challenges of the feudal age. Boys will love the adventure side of the story and also be inspired by the faith and character of the protagonist.
by William J. Long
For kids who love nature and animals, hear stories about wildlife in their natural habitat. The animals become the characters and children learn science as well! Also check out A Little Brother to the Bear by the same author, but beware, some of his other stories include gory and sad details about animals.
by Edith Nesbit
A sweet story and children’s classic. I love that morals and the importance of family shine through this story of hope in a simpler time.
by Eleanor H. Porter
This story is near and dear to me, I loved it as a child. An orphan girl’s contagious good-nature transforms the lives of an entire town. In a world where goodness and joy are rare, what a delightful story for little boys and girls to hear. Also check out Dawn by the same author.
by Anna Sewell
Another one of my childhood favorites! Told from the point of view of a horse named Black Beauty, the morals and lessons learned through his life show the kindness of some and the cruel reality of others. Interesting and engaging, it compels children to see how our actions affect others and how kindess can go a long way.
by Louisa May Alcott
Wholesome story of a sweet family and the challenges they face with a father away. I love this endearing story and the individual personalities of all of the March sisters. Also check out Jack and Jill, and Little Men.
by Mary Mapes Dodge
Two poor children with a very ill father wish to enter a race to win a pair of skates, seemingly simple, but actually a very complex plot. Intertwined in the story is a wonderful description of Holland and some history. It has good morals and definitely worth a listen!
by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Absolutely, hands-down one of my favorite books as a child, and now my oldest daughter’s favorite. She devoured the whole series and wants to read it again. A sweet story about an orphan’s adoption to a pair of siblings on Prince Edward Island. Her humble beginnings, imagination, and feisty personality have us cheering her on as she overcomes, learns, struggles, and moves up in life.
by Kate Douglass Wiggin
A classic coming of age story about a ten-year-old girl sent to live on a farm with her lonely aunts. Her excitement for life and imagination reminds us of Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. Also check out Dawn and The Birds’ Christmas Carol the same author.
by Johann David Wyss
Who hasn’t heard of the Robinson family and the terrible shipwreck they survived? What you might not realize is this tale of struggle and survival is interwoven with faith and courage. Hard lessons are learned and family is valued, the perfect story for middle-school children.
by Margaret Sydney
The recently widowed and quite poor Mrs. Pepper and her five little peppers live together and overcome tough times with positive attitudes, hard-working spirits, and a love for one another. This is one of the first books we read together as a family, and my children re-read as an audiobook. If you love it as much as we did, check out Five Little Peppers Abroad, Five Little Peppers Grown Up, Five Little Peppers Midway, and Five Little Peppers at School.
by Thornton W. Burgess
If your child is young and new to audiobooks, Burgess is a great place to start. Short, sweet stories with good morals, the tales are timeless. I will not list for you the 20 or so tales here, but be sure to check them out. They are wonderful.
Happy Reading!
I hope you found some great books to add to your child’s audiobook lists. If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment. This page is a work in progress, I will be adding more as I come across them.
♥ Melanie
