40+ Audiobooks we love for young kids

While Jill and Amanda may get asked for book recommendations, one category/genre that we talk about together often and get asked about more than probably any other is audiobooks for kids. So here is our list of 40+ audiobooks we love for young kids.

Audiobooks are fantastic for children especially, and both of us use this form of reading in our homes daily. There are stories podcasts as well, but there are some definite advantages to listening to audiobooks instead – like no advertisements, and a guarantee for quality and volume consistency – that make them great for in the car, falling asleep or background noise while fingers are busy. They can help entice reluctant readers and struggling readers. Audiobooks teach vocabulary and storyline processing, engage the left sphere of the brain just as if you were reading, and allow a better option than screentime.

Really, we can’t say enough good things about audiobooks for kids. But finding books for younger kids can seem challenging, especially the children who are too young to be reading themselves and are in the age range for picture books. We promise, though, there are plenty of great options out there for just this age.

Here are 40+ audiobooks we love for young kids.

Ages 0+

These have been great books for our youngest kids, and still interesting as they get older. And for the first couple hundred times you hear them, you’ll probably like them as well! We didn’t include any single picture books on here, but if you have a favorite picture book that’s newer or in a series, look for an audiobook version. Pete the Cat, Mo Willems, etc have quite a few good ones that are quick to listen to and your child can read along.

Mercy Watson (series)

Though really, you can’t go wrong with any Kate DiCamillo, in our opinion!

Tales From Decawoo Drive (series)

By Kate DiCamillo

Princess in Black (series)

By Shannon Hale

Nate the Great (series)

By Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Disney Princess Beginnings (series)

Disney Princess Storybook Collection (series)

Princess Posey (series)

By Stephanie Greene

Princess Pulverizer (series)

By Nancy Krulik

Mrs. Piggle Wiggle (series)

By Betty MacDonald

The Mouse and the Motorcycle (series)

By Beverly Cleary

Frog and Toad (series)

By Arnold Lobel

Alvin Ho (series)

By Lenore Look

Bunnicula (series)

By Deborah and James Howe — this one is less spooky than the cover leads you to believe, but it is slightly spooky. Read reviews first!

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

By Florence and Richard Atwater

Fortunately, the Milk

By Neil Gaiman

Amelia Bedelia (series)

By Peggy Parish

Hamster Princess (series)

By Ursula Vernon

Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken

By Kate DiCamillo and Harry Bliss

Anna and Elsa (series)

By Erica David

Magic Kitten (series)

By Sue Bentley

Llama Llama Collection

By Anna Dewdney (many read by her as well)

Olivia Collection

By Ian Falconer

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa Collection

By Betsy Lewin

Narwhal and Jelly (series)

By Ben Clanton – these are full-cast and very dynamic, in case you’re worried about a graphic novel-turned-audiobook. VERY fun

Ages 6+

These books range a bit – younger kids may enjoy some, but the storylines, vocabulary, or themes may be a bit beyond them. We recommend waiting for some of these until your kids are even a tad older than 6, but use your discretion as a parent and your child’s personality!

Upside Down Magic (series)

The Great Treehouse War

By Lisa Graff – this was one of Jill’s top picks for her 2020 reads

A Boy Called Bat (series)

By Elana K Arnold – this is one of Amanda’s family’s current favorites and is about a boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Flora and Ulysses

By Kate DiCamillo – most superhero books are to be avoided for young kids, but this one is alright!

Tale of Desperaux

By Kate DiCamillo

How to Train Your Dragon (series)

By Cressida Cowell – Not like the movies, and one you may want to prescreen before younger kids listen

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library (series)

By Chris Grabenstein

Front Desk (series)

By Kelly Yang — particularly poignant right now

Pip Bartlett’s Guide to Magical Creatures (series)

By Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater

Sideways Stories from Wayside School (series)

By Lois Sachar

The Great Brain (series)

By John D Fitzgerald – this is a fun one about days gone by. This may give some sneaky ideas to the more wily kids out there, so if you have a prankster proceed with caution 😉

The Wild Robot (sequel)

By Peter Brown

Boxcar Children (series)

By various authors

The One and Only Ivan (sequel)

By Katherine Applegate

The Willoughbys

By Lois Lowry

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (series)

By Judy Blume

Frindle

By Andrew Clements

Humphrey the Hamster (series)

By Betty G Birney

National Geographic for Kids (series)

These are chapters of real stories of people interacting with animals. Great for the nonfiction loving kids. This picture isn’t accurate, so do a search wherever you listen to audiobooks and see if you can find any.