How to Find the BEST Audiobooks for Kids

Does listening to audiobooks count as reading?  YES, they do! Audiobooks for kids are a fantastic resource that we should all be utilizing in the classroom and at home.

AUDIOBOOKS FOR KIDS FAQ

I’m sure you have lots and lots of questions about audiobooks.  Which books are the best for kids?  How do kids listen to them?  Where do I find them?  What are the benefits of listening to audiobooks?

Let’s dive in.

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Benefits of Audiobooks

I could go on and on about the benefits of audiobooks.

• Allow more reading time for children on the go or working on another task.
• Help struggling readers “read along” with peers.
• Builds and strengthens listening vocabulary.
• Helpful in a class setting when multiple copies of a book are not available.
• Model fluent reading.
• Helps children wind down at bedtime.

To learn more about why audiobooks are so great for kids, read 5 Reasons to Try Audiobooks For Kids.

Probably the biggest reason we should let children utilize audiobooks is that according to the 2018 Scholastic’s Kids & Family Reading Report, “70% of kids who have listened to an audiobook agree that it has encouraged them to read more.” Now, that is powerful.

How to Listen to Audiobooks

There are many choices when it comes to listening to audiobooks ranging from a traditional cd player to listening on an Echo device.  The most popular ways for people to listen to audiobooks is through smartphones and your car speaker according to Consumer Data from Edison Research.

In the car, we like to listen to traditional audiobooks on cds.  We also stream audiobooks through my phone that we have downloaded from Hoopla.  Also, through my phone, we listen to lots and lots of podcasts (see below.)

At home, we listen to library digital downloads such as Hoopla on our iPads and iPhones.  My youngest son has an iPod touch for listening as well as an Amazon Echo.

The Echo has actually been a great resource because you can ask Alexa to, “Play a bedtime story.” The Echo is also connected to our Hoopla account.  Of course, you can connect to Audible too.

Where to Get Audiobooks

Lots of options here too.  There are lots of amazing free resources and some paid options too. Utilizing our library’s digital databases is our favorite. I have a whole post to help you out.—>The Best Ways to Listen to Audiobooks.

Which Audiobooks are the Best

This could be a big list.  We’ve listened to lots and some are must-listens.  Here are my top four recommendations.

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown and narrated by Kate Atwater is the story of a robot that is washed up on an island.  Roz the robot has to learn how to live from the animals and face her past.  You can follow-up with The Wild Robot Escapes.

Cherry Jones narrating the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder is about the best thing ever.  Listen to her amazing voice through the whole series.  I promise you’ll listen more than once.

The Henry Huggins Collection by Beverly Cleary is read by the one and only Neil Patrick Harris.  Pretty.darn.terrific.  Over 15 hours of listening pleasure for a beloved series.

It’s also pretty cool when authors read their own work.  Imagine listening to Judy Blume read her Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.

I have more recommendations for you too.

Young listeners who are new to listening to chapter books and/or audiobooks will enjoy the list, Best Audiobooks for Young Listeners.

If you are planning a vacation and need a book for the long car or plane ride, pair up your destination with an audiobook in the list, Best Audiobooks for Family Vacations.

And, if you would like a blast from the past, Audible is releasing The Babysitter’s Club on audiobook.

Podcasts Count Too

I confess that I’m a podcast junkie.  I love to listen to business and coaching podcasts such as The Life Coach School and Building a Story Brand.  My kids are obsessed with Wow in the World.

There are several book-related podcasts for kids and grown-ups.  Check out my favorites at Favorite Literacy Podcasts.

Grab the devices and start racking up more reading minutes with the kids with audiobooks.

And, leave a comment below of your favorite audiobook for kids.  We are always looking for more ideas.