Essential books that every kid should listen to at some point in their lives.
Whether you’re planning a cross-country road trip with the whole family or simply looking for a new chapter book to read at bedtime, each of these books is a great place to begin. These tales of whimsey and adventure are brought to life by talented voice actors like Kate Winslet, Jamie Lee Curtis, Bahni Turpin, and more, and their inventive formats—from the multicast podcast and musical tales to bedtime stories—are sure to delight young listeners. Here are some good audiobooks for children.
We’ve put together a list of the best and most diverse children’s books available in audio book format. We hope you enjoy hearing them!
The Christmas Pig
By: J. K. Rowling
Narrated by: Amaka Okafor
Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
Release Year: 2021
Language: English
An inspiring story about a boy who loves his most prized possession, and how far he would go to get it back. A tale for the entire family to enjoy, from one of the most famous storytellers in the world.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.8/5 VERY GOOD
Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls
By: Kaela Rivera
Narrated by: Almarie Guerra
Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
Release Year: 2021
Language: English
When a powerful desert demon kidnaps her younger sister, Cece Ríos must learn forbidden magic to save her sister, in this own voice middle-grade fantasy perfect for fans of Aru Shah and the End Of Time and The Storm Runner.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.7/5 VERY GOOD
Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons
By: Ashli St. Armant
Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
Series: Viva Durant, Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 10-31-19
Language: English
Combining the narrative brilliance of Audie winner Bahni Turpin, a lively jazz score composed by the author, and a mystery that will captivate any budding detective, Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons will become a classic. This novel follows the title character who finds herself in New Orleans during her summer vacation. She finds out that there’s a plot that, if exposed, would lead to a treasure trove. Viva set out to solve the mystery behind the song Miss Mary Mack. They followed clues from the song itself, the music, its lyrics, the artwork, and so on.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.9/5 Excellent
Matilda
By: Roald Dahl
Narrated by: Kate Winslet
Length: 4 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 06-13-13
Language: English
A classic story on relationships between children and their parents, Roald Dahl‘s Matilda is a book that resonates with many readers, as it features a young girl who is mistreated by her family and at school. Matilda is a book that teaches children to embrace their exceptional uniqueness and be proud of it. Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet dives into each character in this story, portraying Matilda’s positive attitude toward life and her mother’s cruelty. Trunchbull, the nastiness of Wormwood. She adds an overtone of warmth, joy, and fun to the story that makes the book approachable for even the younger listeners.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.8/5 VERY GOOD
Letters From Camp
By: Jamie Lee Curtis
Length: 1 hr and 55 mins
Release date: 08-04-20
Language: English
Memories from childhood are among the most treasureable possessions we have. Young Mookie Hopper must deal with the anxieties and awkwardness of her early teen years by trying to solve the mysteries of a missing camp counselor On her journey, she’ll meet some new friends, and the legendary Lady of the Lake. This full-cast production sparkles with nostalgia, yet remains timelessly relevant and joyful for any tweens dealing wth the stresses and new concerns they face as they grow up.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.9/5 Excellent
Magic Tree House Collection: Books 1-8
By: Mary Pope Osborne
Narrated by: Mary Pope Osborne
Series: Magic Tree House, Book 1-8
Length: 6 hrs and 1 min
Release date: 09-27-11
Language: English
If you grew up reading in the ’90s, you may recall the time-traveling adventures of Jack and Annie from the Magic Tree House series of books. This audiobook collection includes all of the first 8 books in the series, and is narrated by the author himself, which helps to fully immerse children in the fantasy world of The Treehouse Chronicles. Each episode takes Jack and Annie on an exciting journey through time and space as they’re magically transported to the past, present, and future. Osborne’s performance is so uninhibited and bright that it truly brings true joy and life into each storyline. It’s perfect for young readers and adventurous listeners alike.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.2/5 good
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia
By: C. S. Lewis
Narrated by: Michael York
Series: The Chronicles of Narnia (Author’s Preferred Order), Book 2, The Chronicles of Narnia (Publication Order), Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 12-26-04
Language: English
The first book in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia chronicles the adventures of four children who enter a magical land called Narnia. C.S.Lewis presents a snowy land called Narnia where the forces of good were defeated by the evil White Witch The novel is considered one of history’s greatest children’s stories. Michael York’s energetic British accent sets the tone for a delightful adventure filled with humor, action, and excitement as four siblings work together to save their world from an evil tyrant. Those who enjoy fantasy stories will be enthralled by the magical creatures who guide the children through their fantastic adventures.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.5/5 good
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
By: J.K. Rowling, Newt Scamander
Narrated by: Eddie Redmayne
Length: 1 hr and 54 mins
Year of Release: 2017
Language: English
As every fan of the Harry Potter stories knows, the shelves of the Hogwarts Library are home to all sorts of fascinating books. There are three in particular you might have heard mentioned by certain Hogwarts students and that you can add to your listening list too, including Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
As every fan of J.K. Rowling knows, the shelves of the Hogwarts library house all sorts fascinating books, including some the most important works of literature ever written. There are three books in particular that you might have read about that can be added to the reading list. These include Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone, and Harry Poter and the Chamber of Secrets. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an indispensable book for anyone who wants to learn about the magical creatures of the Wizarding World.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.8/5 VERY GOOD
The Mystwick School of Musicraft
By: Jessica Khoury
Narrated by: Suzy Jackson
Series: The Mystwick School of Musicraft, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 09-05-19
Language: English
You can never go wrong with a story featuring a school for kids, but Jessicah Khourys’ take on the trope is unique because it focuses on a type of magic that exists in our own world: music. Follows friends Amelia, Jai, and Darby as they hone their natural musical abilities into powerful enchantments. Suzy Jackson is an acclaimed narrator who has performed in numerous audiobooks, but her performance here is truly exceptional. Audible worked with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) to create four original musical compositions for their audiobook, making it a truly unique and wonderful experience. The Mystwick School of Musicraft ultimately inspires people of all ages to appreciate music, as the climax is intensified by an amazing orchestra performance.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.6/5 VERY GOOD
Who in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?
By: Rebecca Tinker
Narrated by: Kyla Garcia
Series: Carmen Sandiego
Length: 4 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 01-22-19
Language: English
For years, we’ve asked, “Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?” She’s been a part of our life as we’ve tracked her criminal mischief around our world in video games, comics, and now a Netflix original series. Carmen Sandiego is an animated character who has been traveling the world, capturing criminals and solving crimes. For young mystery and puzzle fans who enjoy a good mystery and puzzle, Who in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? is a fun book. Is one of the most popular audiobooks available for young listeners and is voiced by an incredible actress who brings the characters to life. Garcia uses unique accents and tones for each character, leaving listeners wondering if he’s performing a full cast.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.7/5 VERY GOOD
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
By: J.K. Rowling
Narrated by: Jim Dale
Series: Wizarding World, Book 1, Harry Potter, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 11-20-15
Language: English
A young reader’s collection wouldn’t be complete without the Harry Potter series. When 11-year old orphan Harry discovers that he has magical powers, he’s taken away from his family and placed into an unfamiliar world full of magic, adventure, and friends. Narrator Jim Dale has created a unique voice for each character in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, making the performance of the book truly magical for young listeners From J. K. rowling, a multi-award winner, her fantastical imagination has touched millions of people with her stories of adventure, magic, the struggle between good and evil, and the importance of believing in yourself. Dale has also received recognition from the Grammy Awards, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), and numerous other awards.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.9/5 Excellent
The Secret Garden
By: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Narrated by: Victoria McGee
Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
Release date: 05-20-11
Language: English
Josephine Bailey’s beautiful, lyrical voice brings new life to this children’s classic, her seamless transitions from character to character helping listeners visualize two lonely kids discovering a hidden, neglected garden in need of some serious care. Bailey’s soft voice and calm demeanor add atmosphere to the story’s world and create an overtone of comfort. A truly magical get-away for both the characters in the story and the listeners, The Secret Garden teaches us about the wide-ranging benefits of kindness. Listeners learn that a simple act of kindness will be repaid by someone else. The Secret Garden is a wonderful book for a bedtime story, and will likely have young readers asking to listen every night!
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.5/5 good
