Kids love listening to stories, and audiobook narrators can be the best storytellers.
Beyond just entertainment, audiobooks offer significant benefits, such as enhancing language skills in young readers and cultivating their imagination. Audiobooks not only ignite children’s passion for books, but also help those who struggle with reading. From preschool reads to YA, and mythology to fairy tales, here is a list of our favorite audiobooks ideal for the whole family to enjoy together.
Top Audiobooks for Preschoolers
Ada Twist, Scientist: The Why Files #1
The Questioneers series is perfect for the youngest scientists of tomorrow. This audiobook will guide your kids to learn all about flight with Ada Twist, Scientist. Together, they’ll explore the world of flying creatures, the history of aircrafts, and cutting-edge technology.
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Where the Wild Things Are
This new digital audio edition narrated by Michelle Obama celebrates the 60th anniversary of Where the Wild Things Are. The beloved story, acclaimed for its depiction of parental love and childhood tantrums, has inspired a movie, an opera, and countless readers over generations.
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Goodnight Moon
In this classic children’s story, a little bunny says goodnight to all the familiar objects in his room, creating a soothing bedtime ritual. The audiobook of Goodnight Moon combines gentle poetry with lulling music, making it a timeless favorite for families.
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Nate the Great Collected Stories
Nate, the boy detective who “likes to work alone,” solves different cases and tracks down the culprits. The audiobook features four stories, serving as great bedtime reads for kids who love mysteries.
View the audiobookBest Audiobooks for Early Readers (Ages 5-7)
Frog and Toad Are Friends
Frog and Toad Are Friends is designed for children who are starting to read on their own but still require some help. These engaging stories feature longer sentences and playful language that support children’s next steps toward reading success.
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Charlotte’s Web
“This book is an extremely well kept secret, but it doesn’t need to be because it’s delightful! This wonderful cast brings this children’s classic to life and even an adult who has read the book multiple times is engaged and captivated by the story. Meryl Streep’s gentle narration provides such warmth that I found myself not wanting the book to end.”
— Jennifer, The Bookstore at Fitger’s
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Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales
Rediscover Beatrix Potter’s world in this new audiobook with all 23 classic tales, voiced by stars like Olivia Colman, Lily James, Tom Hardy, and Pearl Mackie. This is perfect for car journeys and bedtime stories.
View the audiobookEngaging Audiobooks for Middle Grade Readers (Ages 8-12)
From the Desk of Zoe Washington
“With friendship challenges, cupcake creations, and a fight for justice—not to mention Bahni Turpin’s peppy narration—From the Desk of Zoe Washington is an absolute delight to listen to.”
— Mary, Raven Book Store
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The Lightning Thief
The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is fast-paced and filled with magic, mythology, and plenty of monsters. The engaging narration brings the characters and the action-packed story to life, making it a popular choice for both kids and adults.
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The Barren Grounds
“Morgan and Eli are two foster siblings who just can’t seem to get along, or fit in at school, home, or really anywhere except for Morgan’s fantasy novels and Eli’s sketchbooks. When Morgan invites Eli to her hideout in the attic, they find that his drawings create a portal to another world of cold and ice even more intense than their home of Winnipeg, Canada. […] Their thrilling, funny, and heartwarming adventure serves not only as a way to maybe save Misewa, but too to reconnect to their culture, their past, and to one another.”
— Cat, Oxford Exchange
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New from Here
This middle-grade novel explores courage, hope, and resilience as an Asian American boy strives to keep his family united and confronts racism during the early days of the coronavirus outbreak. Despite rising racism during COVID-19, he confronts hate, finds his place, and embraces his uniqueness.
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Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
“I came for blood-thirsty unicorns; I stayed for the fun, spunky unicorn riders and their ornery steeds. Skandar’s dream is to be a unicorn rider. When given the opportunity, he dives head-first into the Hatchery and the world of sky battles, powerful elemental magic, secrets, and shady villains. Along the way, he develops strong bonds between friends and embraces who he’s meant to be. This is a fun read, playing off the ‘Chosen One’ trope, I really liked the characters and, of course, blood-thirsty unicorns!”
— Anna, The Well-Read Moose
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Wonder
August Pullman was born with a facial difference. Starting 5th grade, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid, while his classmates struggle to look beyond his appearance. Narrated from multiple perspectives, the story explores empathy, compassion, and acceptance, highlighting the power of kindness and friendship.
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Refugee
“This book could not be more timely. At times heart-breaking and encouraging, the three narrators weave in the fictional stories of a refugee from Germany, from Cuba, and from Syria that show the echoes of hope and hate that haunt the world time and again. For older children 10 and up who have questions about what they see on the news. Be prepared for a discussion.”
— Jessica, Once Upon A Time
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Look Both Ways
“While adults may discount the heavy emotions of middle school, Jason Reynolds has captured all the real life that is young emerging adulthood in his new middle grade book. These middle school children are dealing with the same adversities that hit grown folks but without all the tools adults have and they’re doing alright. This book is insightful, brilliant, heart-breaking and an especially good audiobook from Libro.fm that would be a great family listen.”
— Rachel, Avid Bookshop
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Remember Us
“A pitch perfect realistic fiction chapter book for grades 4-8, Remember Us is a joyous celebration of community and friendship. It’s the summer before 7th grade in the 1970s, and Sage is the best basketball player in her Brooklyn neighborhood (and the only girl playing). Jacqueline Woodson tackles tough issues with grace and beauty, showing the humanity behind the headlines. Plus, Jacqueline Woodson’s narration on Libro.fm made me feel like I was sitting on a stoop in Bushwick listening to the book.”
— Jennifer, Sidetrack Bookshop
View the audiobookAudiobooks for Teens
Children of Blood and Bone
“A sprawling fantasy teeming with deep and meaningful magic. One of the things I like most about this debut is that it raises very real and important issues of our time through multiple character’s perspectives. No character is one-dimensional, and every character must learn from failure and introspection to become who they were meant to be.”
— Kelly, Mysterious Galaxy Books
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Firekeeper’s Daughter
“Firekeeper’s Daughter is a wonder! We so rarely hear YA through an Indigenous people’s voice and this book does it so very well. Main character Daunis Lorenzo Fontaine lives a fine line between her white French Canadian mother and her Ojibwe father in a complicated family dynamic. She is smart, hockey talented, driven, and tenacious as she navigates the murder of her best friend Lily, rampant drug culture, and the journey to find herself. Angeline Boulley seamlessly incorporates the Ojbiwe language and lifeways that both inform and educate the reader in this amazing story that will stay with me long after I have moved onto other books. A MUST-read (or listen)!”
— Rebecca, Rediscovered Books
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The Hunger Games
In a dystopian future, 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen must fight for survival in the deadly Hunger Games. Emmy Award-winning actress Tatiana Maslany narrates the first audiobook of the internationally bestselling trilogy. The audiobook also includes a bonus Q&A with Maslany.
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The Fault in Our Stars
This audiobook brings John Green’s most beloved novel to life, narrated by Kate Rudd. This poignant and heartwarming story follows a sixteen-year-old cancer patient Hazel and her encounter with Augustus at Cancer Kid Support Group. Discover or rediscover this timeless romance story on audio.
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So Let Them Burn
“Looking for an exquisitely written Black Queer fantasy about DRAGONS?!?! Look no further as this Jamaican-inspired tale delivers a new interesting perspective on the chosen-one trope. While also posing the question: can there be peace between warring factions if the weapons of mass destruction (the DRAGONS) are sentient and making unbreakable bonds the opposition? Stunning Debut! Fast paced. Great political intrigue. Multiple POVs. A gut-wrenching cliffhanger ending!”
— Zinna, A Great Good Place for Books
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Snowglobe
“Think of a much darker, more intense Truman Show with subfreezing temperatures and you’ll come close to Snowglobe. Definite distinct lines between the haves and have nots, but do some of the haves, have it all or is their reality manipulated so that they can stay on top. Chobahm quickly learns that being a star isn’t what it cracks up to be, and the truth is something beyond her wildest imagination. I listened to this and the narration was spot on. “
— Audrey, Belmont Books
View the audiobookWhy choose Libro.fm for your audiobooks?
Libro.fm’s audiobooks are downloadable and DRM-free, which means you can play them anywhere. For example, if you have a Yoto Player, you can turn your Libro.fm audiobooks into Yoto Cards that kids can listen to again and again!
Check out our handy guide on how to download the mp3 files, and this guide on making your own Yoto cards.
What do audiobooks do for children?
Head to our blog post to learn more about why audiobooks count as reading and benefit little one’s educational growth.
Listen to bookseller picks for kids with Libro.fm
Libro.fm offers recommendations from real people: the dedicated indie booksellers working in our 3,000+ partner bookshops! Below, explore the audiobooks that booksellers recommended for children.