The Best Audiobooks for Kids

The Best Audiobooks for Kids


August 20, 2020
Whether you’re getting ready to embark on a cross-country road trip with the whole family or just want a new chapter book to enjoy at bedtime, each superb story on this list is a great place to start. These tales of whimsy and adventure are brought to life by talented voice actors like Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Winslet, Bahni Turpin, and more, and their innovative formats—from multicast podcasts and musical tales to bedtime stories—are sure to be loved by young listeners. Here are the best audiobooks for kids.
  • The Hobbit Audiobook By J. R. R. Tolkien cover art

    • The Hobbit

    • By: J. R. R. Tolkien
    • Narrated by: Rob Inglis
    • Series: The Lord of the Rings, Book 0.5
    • Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
    • Release date: 10-09-12
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 60,796 ratings
    • This audiobook launches listeners into Middle Earth, a highly developed fantasy universe known around the world from the Lord of the Rings series. Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who enjoys quiet evenings and delicious meals, has his world turned upside-down when a wizard named Gandalf and a troupe of dwarves enter his life and take him on the adventure of a lifetime. The Hobbit was nominated for the Carnegie Medal, won the award for the New York Herald Tribune’s best juvenile fiction, and is renowned as a true classic in children’s fantasy literature. A precursor to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit audiobook is narrated by Rob Inglis, who engages young listeners with his portrayal of magical characters of all shapes and sizes. He perfectly marries the whimsical nature of The Hobbit’s adventure quest with the darker themes explored later in the series.
  • Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons Audiobook By Ashli St. Armant cover art

    • 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
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 10,338 ratings
    • Combining the narrative brilliance of Audie winner Bahni Turpin, a lively jazz score composed by the author, and a mystery that will catch the attention of any budding young private eye, Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons is an instant classic. This gem follows the title character who, while spending her summer with her beloved Gram in New Orleans, uncovers a plot that, if unraveled, leads to a trove of hidden treasures. Viva sets out on the French Quarter, along the way sleuthing through a circus, a cemetery, a jazz club, and more, so she can be the first to solve the riddle hidden in the schoolyard favorite tune Miss Mary Mack.
  • Matilda Audiobook By Roald Dahl cover art

    • Matilda

    • By: Roald Dahl
    • Narrated by: Kate Winslet
    • Length: 4 hrs and 18 mins
    • Release date: 06-13-13
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 6,245 ratings
    • A powerful commentary on the relationship between a child and the adults around her, Roald Dahl’s Matilda is a story that hits close to home for many listeners, as it stars a young girl who is misunderstood at home and at school. For any child who has felt small compared to the grown-ups around them, Matilda inspires them to stand up for themselves, speak their minds, and embrace their exceptional uniqueness. Academy Award winner Kate Winslet dives into every character in this story, perfectly depicting Matilda’s upbeat attitude, the evil brutality of Mrs. Trunchbull, and the nastiness of the Wormwoods. She brings an overtone of warmth and joy to the story that makes it approachable for even the youngest listeners.
  • Letters From Camp Audiobook By Jamie Lee Curtis cover art

    • Letters From Camp

    • By: Jamie Lee Curtis
    • Length: 1 hr and 55 mins
    • Release date: 08-04-20
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,474 ratings
    • Few childhood moments are as memorable as the pure joy of summer—no school, beach weekends, ice cream trucks, and, best of all, the promise of freedom ushered in by summer camp. In film icon Jamie Lee Curtis’s delightful Audible Original Letters from Camp, young Mookie Hooper must balance the anxieties (and awkwardness!) of her pre-teen years with solving the mystery of a missing girl who vanished at Camp Cartwright. But along the way, she’ll encounter some new friends and the legendary Lady of the Lake. This full-cast gem sparkles with nostalgia, while remaining timelessly relevant and joyful for any tweens coping with the stress and new concerns that accompany growing up.
  • The Snowy Day Audiobook By Ezra Jack Keats cover art

    • The Snowy Day

    • By: Ezra Jack Keats
    • Narrated by: Jane Harvey
    • Length: 5 mins
    • Release date: 04-08-08
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 308 ratings
    • Early in 2020, the New York Public Library celebrated its 125th anniversary by revealing their most checked out books of all time. At the very top of the list was Jack Ezra Keats’s beloved picture book The Snowy Day, a gorgeous story that follows along as little Peter wakes up to the very first snowfall of the season. Toddling outside in his red snowsuit, he gleefully treks through the snow, stopping to build a snowman and make a few snow angels along the way. Narrated with warmth and wonder by Jane Harvey, the audio edition of this groundbreaking classic (it was the first picture book featuring an African American protagonist to win the Caldecott Medal!) effortlessly captures the pure joy of childhood’s magic, making it the perfect choice for your littlest listener.
  • Magic Tree House Collection: Books 1-8 Audiobook By Mary Pope Osborne cover art

    • 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
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,179 ratings
    • Parents who grew up reading in the ‘90s will likely remember the time-traveling literary adventures of Jack and Annie of the Magic Tree House series. This audiobook collection not only includes all of the first eight entries in the series, it’s also author-narrated, helping to fully immerse young listeners in the fantasy world of the treehouse. Each entry sees Jack and Annie take on a new literary adventure as they’re magically transported to the Middle Ages, Ancient Egypt, the Ice Age, and more. Osborne’s uninhibited, bright performance brings true joy and life to each storyline—making for an ideal choice for young bookworms and adventurous listeners alike.
  • Coraline Audiobook By Neil Gaiman cover art

    • Coraline

    • By: Neil Gaiman
    • Narrated by: Neil Gaiman
    • Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins
    • Release date: 11-07-03
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 7,656 ratings
    • For kids with a taste for darker stories, Coraline gracefully toes the line between the eerie and the age-appropriate. Winner of both the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award in 2003, Neil Gaiman’s spooky tale teaches listeners about the dangers of wishing for too much excitement. Sometimes ordinary is just fine. In fact, it’s exactly what Coraline wishes she could have once she’s catapulted into a twisted alternate reality. The audiobook is not only voiced by the gleefully grim author himself, but also accompanied by a variety of creepy musical numbers that help ratchet up the sense of impending doom as Coraline struggles to find her way home. Even for those who have heard the story before or have seen the animated film adaptation, this listen is a delightful, wild romp through the darker side of the imagination.
  • The Henry Huggins Audio Collection Audiobook By Beverly Cleary, Tracy Dockray cover art

    • The Henry Huggins Audio Collection

    • By: Beverly Cleary, Tracy Dockray
    • Narrated by: Neil Patrick Harris, William Roberts
    • Series: Henry Huggins, Book 1-6
    • Length: 15 hrs and 26 mins
    • Release date: 11-22-11
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,554 ratings
    • The Henry Huggins series is more than 50 years old, but remains beloved by children everywhere. Voiced by the renowned actor Neil Patrick Harris (who sharpened his children’s performer chops as Count Olaf in the Netflix adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events), the adventures of Henry, Ramona, and Ribsy gain renewed life. Cleary originally created Henry to serve the boys in her library looking for characters they could identify with, but turned out to be such a popular children’s author that she launched entire collections about the supporting female characters as well. Her talent for characterizing children’s thoughts and daily lives shines through in Harris’s narration, which is performed with an incredible, joyfully childish range of emotion.
  • How to Train Your Dragon Audiobook By Cressida Cowell cover art

    • How to Train Your Dragon

    • By: Cressida Cowell
    • Narrated by: David Tennant
    • Series: How to Train Your Dragon, Book 1
    • Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
    • Release date: 01-02-14
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,917 ratings
    • How to Train Your Dragon follows the hilarious misadventures of Hiccup and his dragon, Toothless, as they embark on a journey entirely dependent on friendship and teamwork. Young Hiccup must catch and train a dragon to pass his viking clan’s intense initiation ritual, but the dragon he ends up with is quite the unusual character. The story is considerably different from that of the 2010 film adaptation, making it a brand-new experience for listeners who’ve already fallen in love with the animated characters. With exciting music, the occasional dragon growl, and lilting Scottish accents only the talented David Tennant (of Doctor Who and Good Omens fame) could provide, How to Train Your Dragon will have listeners young and old absolutely roaring with delight.
  • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Audiobook By C. S. Lewis cover art

    • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

    • The Chronicles of Narnia
    • By: C. S. Lewis
    • Narrated by: Michael York
    • Series: The Chronicles of Narnia (Publication Order), Book 1, The Chronicles of Narnia (Author's Preferred Order), Book 2
    • Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
    • Release date: 12-26-04
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 16,169 ratings
    • The first in the Chronicles of Narnia series, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe begins in a broken England during World War II. C.S. Lewis presents a snow-covered land called Narnia, where the forces of good have been overthrown by the evil White Witch. Inspired by Lewis’s daughter Lucy (who shares a name with a character in the book), the novel is considered one of the greatest children’s books of all time. Emmy Award nominee Michael York’s lively British accent sets the tone as four siblings work together with a benevolent lion named Aslan to end the evil oppression and bring peace back to Narnia. Listeners with a love of magic will be captivated by the mythical creatures who guide the children along their incredible journey through Narnia.
  • The House at Pooh Corner Audiobook By A. A. Milne cover art

    • The House at Pooh Corner

    • A.A. Milne's Pooh Classics, Volume 2
    • By: A. A. Milne
    • Narrated by: Peter Dennis
    • Series: A.A. Milne's Pooh Classics
    • Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins
    • Release date: 04-05-05
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,270 ratings
    • Winnie the Pooh, a charming little bear with a taste for honey, is one of the most well-recognized children’s characters of all time. A powerful narrating cast including Dame Judi Dench and comedy icon Stephen Fry gives voice to the classic characters we’ve known and loved for years. The cast speaks clearly and at a level that is easy to understand for even the youngest listeners, making The House at Pooh Corner a suitable listen for toddlers and small children. The audiobook is filled with original musical compositions that make the stories even more enchanting for young minds. Whether your little listener is a bouncy Tigger or a thoughtful Owl, the grand adventures in The House at Pooh Corner will leave them begging for more storytime.
  • The Mystwick School of Musicraft Audiobook By Jessica Khoury cover art

    • 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
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 14,715 ratings
    • You can never go wrong with a listen featuring a magical school for children, but Jessica Khoury’s take on the trope is unique in its emphasis on a type of magic that also exists in our own world: music. This listen follows friends Amelia, Jai, and Darby as they learn to hone their natural musical ability into powerful enchantments. Audie-nominated narrator Suzy Jackson is a celebrated performer, but it’s the musical score that really makes this audiobook shine. Audible worked with the NJSO Youth Orchestra to craft four original musical compositions for this audiobook, making it an incredibly special and wonderful listen. Mystwick ultimately inspires listeners of all ages to appreciate the magic of music, as the climax of the story is intensified by a beautiful orchestral performance.
  • Who in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? Audiobook By Rebecca Tinker cover art

    • 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
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,212 ratings
    • For years, we’ve been asking, "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?" The elusive trench-coated character has been a part of our lives as we’ve tracked her criminal mischief around the world in video games, comic books, and now a Netflix Original series. Who in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? follows a woman in a red fedora as she travels the world, capturing criminals and solving mysteries along the way. One of the best audiobooks for young mystery and puzzle lovers, Who in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? is voiced by the talented Kyla Garcia, who evokes the perfect combination of suspense, excitement, and adventure through her performance. Garcia gives each character a unique accent and tone, leaving listeners wondering if they’re listening to a full-cast performance.
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1 Audiobook By J.K. Rowling cover art

    • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1

    • 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
    • 5 out of 5 stars 168,355 ratings
    • No young story lover’s collection would be complete without the Harry Potter series. When 11-year-old orphan Harry finds out he’s a wizard, he’s whisked away to a strange world filled with magic, adventure, and new friends. Narrator Jim Dale, a true master of his craft, brings each character to life with a unique voice, making the performance of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone truly magical for young listeners. Author J.K. Rowling’s fantastical imagination has touched the hearts of millions with her tales of adventure, magic, and the fundamental battle between good and evil. Dale has also garnered recognition for his performance of the series—from Grammys to Audies to countless five star ratings.
  • Percy Jackson's Greek Gods Audiobook By Rick Riordan cover art

    • Percy Jackson's Greek Gods

    • By: Rick Riordan
    • Narrated by: Jesse Bernstein
    • Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
    • Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins
    • Release date: 08-19-14
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,433 ratings
    • When Percy Jackson goes to his usual pre-algebra class, he doesn’t expect his teacher to turn into a savage monster. He also doesn’t expect a minotaur to chase him to a strange summer camp, and he definitely doesn’t expect to find out that he’s the son of Poseidon. An engaging story for pre-teens and teens, Percy Jackson is the brainchild of Rick Riordan, a #1 New York Times best selling author with a love for Greek mythology. Jesse Bernstein, who performs all of the Percy Jackson audiobooks, brings a new voice to each character in the story, elevating the dialogue and helping listeners distinguish between each character. And kids who race through this story and want more will be happy to know: there are two more equally engaging audiobooks in the trilogy.
  • The Secret Garden Audiobook By Frances Hodgson Burnett cover art

    • The Secret Garden

    • By: Frances Hodgson Burnett
    • Narrated by: Victoria McGee
    • Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
    • Release date: 05-20-11
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,037 ratings
    • The musical and elegant voice of Josephine Bailey gives new life to this children’s classic, her seamless transitions between characters helping listeners visualize two lonely children as they discover a secret, neglected garden in need of some serious TLC. Bailey’s crisp accent and gentle tone add ambiance to the story’s world and craft an overtone of comfort for listeners. A truly magical getaway for both the characters and listeners, The Secret Garden preaches the wide-reaching benefits of kindness. Listeners learn the important lesson that a simple act of goodness will find its way back to you and repay you in the most unexpected of ways. The Secret Garden is the perfect audiobook for a bedtime story and will likely have young children asking to listen every night.
  • The Tale of Despereaux Audiobook By Kate DiCamillo cover art

    • The Tale of Despereaux

    • Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread
    • By: Kate DiCamillo
    • Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm
    • Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
    • Release date: 02-05-04
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,858 ratings
    • When a sensitive little mouse named Despereaux falls in love with a beautiful princess, he must learn to fight for his place in the world. Graeme Malcolm takes listeners on an inspiring journey filled with destiny, wishes, and determination. He combines the three parallel storylines seamlessly, bringing the characters together while giving each one their own unique identity. His pacing and tone distinguish between each subplot, helping listeners navigate the intertwining stories without getting lost. Stories like The Tale of Despereaux teach young listeners that even the smallest and most unlikely of heroes can still be brave. Perfect for listeners of all ages, the work of Kate DiCamillo contains enriching vocabulary, brilliant use of metaphor, and the classic feel of a fairy tale.
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid Audiobook By Jeff Kinney cover art

    • Diary of a Wimpy Kid

    • By: Jeff Kinney
    • Narrated by: Ramon De Ocampo
    • Series: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 1
    • Length: 1 hr and 57 mins
    • Release date: 03-10-08
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,347 ratings
    • Never has there been a more accurate interpretation of the pre-teen experience than that of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The firsthand account of Greg Heffley, an average middle-school boy who is just trying to survive puberty, has received the Children’s Choice Book Award (twice), while author Jeff Kinney was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2009. Kinney uses comics to illustrate Greg’s plight as he navigates school challenges, relationships with friends, and his family, and Roman De Ocampo brings these cartoons right off the page with his narration. His comedic performance paints a mental picture that leaves listeners in stitches as Greg encounters the misfortunes of middle school life—like the dreaded Cheese Touch.
  • The Golden Compass Audiobook By Philip Pullman cover art

    • The Golden Compass

    • His Dark Materials, Book 1
    • By: Philip Pullman
    • Narrated by: Philip Pullman, Joanna Wyatt, Rupert Degas, Alison Dowling, Douglas Blackwell, Jill Shilling, Stephen Thorne, Sean Barrett, Garrick Hagon, John O'Connor, Susan Sheridan, Full Cast
    • Series: His Dark Materials, Book 1
    • Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
    • Release date: 10-23-03
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 19,466 ratings
    • Written by Philip Pullman, The Golden Compass is a long-beloved adventure that has received an abundance of praise since its publication in 1995. A full cast of narrators led by the author himself brings each character to life, providing a diverse range of voices, accents, and tones to round out the storyline. An orphaned teen named Lyra and her animal familiar, Pan, find themselves in the middle of a political conspiracy. With no one to trust, Lyra must choose between right and wrong, putting her friends and family at risk with every decision she makes. At its climax, The Golden Compass is a nail-biting thriller, reinforcing that things aren’t always as they seem. A unique fantasy without magic (but plenty of supernatural wonder), The Golden Compass puts the ideals of religion, morality, and politics in the spotlight and examines them in a way that young listeners can understand and enjoy.
Show items per page


Inclusion in Audible’s “best audiobooks” series is based on a number of factors, including presence on Audible best seller lists,
listener ratings and reviews, Goodreads ratings, and input from the Audible Editors. All audiobooks featured here have a minimum
of 500 reviews averaging at least 4.5 stars, with some exceptions made for outstanding stories and performances.


Explore more audiobooks from our Best of the Best collection.
Sign Up for Our Monthly Kids Newsletter

Love Kids Listens?

Get the lowdown on the latest listens, upcoming series, and more in
our monthly newsletter.

Subscribe Now