Audiobooks are a great addition to your child’s entertainment, especially in the Summer Holidays when you’re out of reading routines and have journeys to make. We also find it handy to play them in their room whilst they’re playing Lego or drawing, I find it just keeps them more focused and calm. Here is a list of our favourite tales at the moment and some of which are on our wish list to purchase and listen to soon. We have an Audible monthly subscription and usually save credits up for holiday times. This is not a sponsored post, these are all my own suggestions and we choose to pay for audible and have done for a number of years. You will be able to find some of these stories on other trusted audiobook sites and YouTube. I have kicked this post off with audiobooks for younger listeners and then moved onto primary and secondary school aged listeners. My kids’ ages range from 2-13, so hopefully there will be something for everyone.
Harper Collins Audiobook for ages 2 plus an hour of fun stories for travelling. What I love about this compilation is that you’re getting 12 well known and loved stories for younger listeners in one audiobook. Featuring some of the biggest names in children’s stories – David Walliams, Oliver Jeffers, Judith Kerr and Emma Chichester-Clark – this collection has it all. Full of laughter and tonnes of fun. A must-have for the summer holidays. Featuring Stuck, One night in the Zoo, Diary of a baby wombat and more…
Oi Frog By Kes Gray – Narrated by David Mitchell. The Oi series from Kes Gray are very short audiobook stories but amuse my children every time they listen. I just wish I could find a compilation of all the Oi stories in one audiobook.
Ladybird Animal Kingdom – Penguin Narrated by Sophie Aldred
A fact-filled journey into the wild. Discover amazing animals in their natural habitat. An original series for three to six year-olds – a new, entertaining and engaging way for children to learn about the world around them. These are special stories written exclusively for audio and are perfect for bedtime and long journeys. Turn the sound up and join the adventure!
Alfie gets in First By Shirley Hughes – Narrated by Roger Allam & Roy McMillan. Alfie is a classic favourite in our house as Teddy and Flo identify with the characters well. This audiobook has a few much loved stories in one and includes: Alfie Gets in First, Alfie’s Feet, An Evening at Alfie’s, Alfie Gives a Hand, Alfie and the Big Boys, Alfie Wins a Prize, All About Alfie, Alfie’s Christmas, Alfie Outdoors and Alfie and the Birthday Surprise.
Fabulous Fables By Rose Rowe Narrated by Cara Stevens
Keen to try this one as we have tricky bedtimes with our youngest members of the family! The premise of these stories is to ease the distraction of kids being present in a noisy world with devices often distracting them and drawing them in. This book helps reconnect their quieter imagination and in turn helps relax and leaves them less anxious. These bedtime meditations are a collection of dreamy, visualizing stories. They’re taking children on a magical journey to find the talking book wisdom, fly through outer-space or sleep in a fairy’s forest. Including basic mindfulness techniques such as being attentive to your breath, identifying feelings or body sensations and actively feeling grateful and loving. This book will help kids relax and guide them to a good night’s sleep.
Topsy and Tim by Gareth & Jean Adamson Narrated by Kate Rawson & Daniel Weyman
I couldn’t not include the complete collection of Topsy and Tim as my youngest wouldn’t allow it. Join the twins as they share their simple stories of day to day life.
Elmer by David McKee Narrated by Steven Thorne
A modern classic, celebrating it’s good to be different, complete with his trademark cheeky humour! This audiobook collection features eight of the best-selling Elmer books including: Elmer, Elmer’s Christmas, Elmer and the Monster, Elmer and the Flood, Elmer and the Lost Teddy, Elmer and the Rainbow, Elmer and Aunt Zelda and Elmer and Rose.
The Owl who’s afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson
A comforting, nostalgic story. It seems to be pretty impossible to get hold of the original Narrated by Maureen Lipman, which is a real shame, so this one is read by Bill Oddie. I recommend listening to the YouTube version where some kind Jill Tomlinson fan has uploaded Maureen’s version. We like both versions as Bill Oddie also seems fitting to tell a feathery tale.
Pip and Posy by Axel Scheffler
We love reading Nosy Crow Pip and Posy books with our toddler. All you have to do is scan the QR code in each book, or alternatively there are sites were you can listen for free online.
Bear Grylls Adventures Volume 1 by Bear Grylls Narrated by Joe Jameson
The first two thrilling adventures in the brand-new collectible series for children, from survival expert and Chief Scout Bear Grylls. Each audiobook in this fun new series from Bear Grylls follows a different child on an outdoor activity camp. This volume features two exciting adventures: Blizzard Challenge and Desert Challenge. This is perfect for boys and girls who have entered the world of Scouts and want to relate to like-minded children. Our son loved reading these books when he was around 10 and would still listen to them on audio now.
I couldn’t compile a list without a Roald Dahl book making the cut. I love these fun tales ant they are perfect to introduce early readers to chapter books.
The Explorer By Katherine Rundall Narrated by Peter Noble. I was keen for my children to listen to this popular title. After crashing hundreds of miles from civilisation in the Amazon rainforest, Fred, Con, Lila and Max are utterly alone and in grave danger. They have no food, no water and no chance of being rescued. But they are alive, and they have hope. As they negotiate the wild jungle, they begin to find signs that something – someone – has been there before them. Could there possibly be a way out after all?
Fantastic Beasts by JK Rowling Narrated by Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander)
After enjoying the Harry Potter audiobooks this will be a real treat for my teenager. Narrated by Eddie Redmayne, this is the first audio book edition of Scamander’s textbook ever to be released. Having starred as Newt Scamander himself in the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, who better to narrate this Hogwarts Library book from one of the wizarding world’s most famous Magizoologists?
The Last Wild by Pier Torday Narrated by Oliver Hembrough
A book recommended by a well-read 11 year old friend of the family. In a world where animals no longer exist, 12-year-old Kester Jaynes sometimes feels like he hardly exists either. Locked away in a home for troubled children, he’s told there’s something wrong with him. So when he meets a flock of talking pigeons and a bossy cockroach, Kester thinks he’s finally gone a bit mad. But the animals have something to say….
David Walliams World’s Worst Children and David Williams World’s Worst Teachers
Our kids love a David Williams story, mainly because David tells his tales of gruesome characters so well and captures the mischievous humour brilliantly. These imaginative tales are Narrated by David Walliams and others.
The Boy who Grew Dragons by Andy Shepherd Narrated by Ewan Goddard
Imagine if you could grow dragons…in your very own garden! The first book in a sparky and utterly enchanting new series and one I’m looking forward to our just turned 6 year old to listen to. When Tomas discovers a strange old tree at the bottom of his grandad’s garden, he doesn’t think much of it. But he takes the funny fruit from the tree back into the house – and gets the shock and delight of his life when a tiny dragon hatches! The tree is a dragonfruit tree, and Tomas has got his very own dragon, Flicker.
The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher Narrated by Deryn Edwards
A magical story of snow and stars set in a frost-bound Victorian country mansion. When orphaned Seren Rees is given a mysterious package by a strange and frightened man on her way to her new home, she reluctantly takes it with her. But what is in the parcel? Who are the Family who must not be spoken of, and can the Crow help Seren find Tom, before the owner of the parcel finds her? A book that we have heard good things about and was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2019.
Tom Gates Genius Ideas by Liz Pichon Narrated by Rupert Grint
We often find it hard to encourage our 10 year old daughter to listen to audiobooks and as Tom Gates is her favourite book character, this had to make this Summer listening list. For this not familiar with Tom, he is the master of excuses for late homework (dog attacks, spilt water, lightening etc) and Tom’s exercise book is full of his doodles, cartoons and thoughts as well as comments from his long-suffering teacher, Mr Fullerton.
Diary of a Wimpy kid- By The Long Haul Narrated by Jeff Kinney
Ideal for children aged 7-12, I had to include this family road trip tale for all you families about to endure a long journey with tweens, as humour is key in this situation!
Famous Five- Five have a Wonderful Time by Enid Blyton and Narrated by Jan Francis
This one is more for me, as I have fond memories of listening to Famous Five on cassette and what screams holiday adventure tales more than an Enid Blyton classic with George, Anne, Dick, Julian and Timmy the dog! We love to spot smugglers on our coastal adventures, eat cake and drink ginger beer!
I hope that this list has given you at least one or two ideas to be getting on with for audio listening. I always find it helpful to find old and new titles in one place for listening inspiration for all the family.
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