18 Brilliant Audiobooks for Kids

Looking for the very best audiobooks for kids? You’ve come to the right place!
As devoted audiobook lovers ourselves, it’s no surprise that our kids are fans of this reading format as well. We started listening to audiobooks with our kids when they were only 4 years old in the car on road trips.
We recommend starting with shorter-length audiobooks – think Winnie-the-Pooh or Ramona Quimby, at that age, but keep in mind that children’s auditory comprehension is higher than their reading level, so you can listen a few ages up when it comes to these tales.
Below, we rounded up our favorite kids’ audiobooks. Each of the kids’ audiobooks listed are chapter books or middle grade novels because we don’t recommend picture books in audio format. Those are best read aloud at home!
*Audiobooks for Kids post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
The Best Audiobooks for Kids
Best-Selling Audiobooks For Kids

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Author: J. K Rowling
Year: 1998
Genre: Middle-Grade fantasy
More info: Harry Potter #1 of 7
Age Range: 8+ (note that some of the later books in the series may not be appropriate until a bit older)
Plot
I was in university when this book was published and the first four were sitting on my younger brother’s bookshelf before I picked it up to see what the fuss was about. I read all four books in as many days and was married with a child before the final book was published.
This story introduces us to Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger; our fearless trio. We also meet the other favorite beloved and detested characters that make the Harry Potter book series so special. After all, what would Hogwarts be without Hagrid, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Draco Malfoy?
Trigger Warnings
Parental death
Why Jackie loves it
I firmly believe that JK Rowling changed children’s literature more profoundly than any other author. I realize that this is a very strong statement. But, until her, there have never been books that have had such an impact on the world of reading. The books are so brilliantly laid out with easter eggs in book one that are essential for the entire plot. I believe this is one of the best fantasy series ever written.
Why Kirsten loves it
In my opinion, this is the best children’s fantasy series ever written. It features strong lessons on morality, inventive plotlines, and hidden threads woven throughout the entire series. Jim Dale’s audiobook narration of this book is award-winning. He voices over 200 characters, each with distinct accents and my kids have listened to the entire series multiple times.
Find this book in: Halloween Chapter Books / Audiobooks for Kids / Harry Potter Books in Order / Books like Percy Jackson / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Magic School Books / Jackie’s Favorite Books / Kirsten’s Favorite Books / Books to Read Aloud

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Year: 2005
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age:9-13
More info:
Percy Jackson and The Olympian Book #1
Currently a Series on Disney Plus
Plot
This first Percy Jackson book is about our beloved Percy, who discovers he is a demi-god and must recover Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt. He travels into the underworld to locate the lightning bolt and, at the same time, try to save his mother.
His amazing adventures with Annabeth and Grover along the way create the foundation for all the books that follow in this amazing and epic series.
Why Jackie loves it
I don’t think anyone has read this middle grade fantasy series and not loved it. It’s a contemporary Greek mythology retelling for the ages. It is fun and exciting!
Adaptation Information
While the original films based on the books are generally considered to be flops, the show adapted on Disney+ is fantastic! Season 2 is currently being filmed and will follow the second book in the series.
Find this book in: Percy Jackson Books in Order / Rick Riordan Books / Best Books for 10-year-olds / Books like Keeper of the Lost Cities / Tween & Teen Fantasy Books / Books With Neurodivergent Characters

The School for Good and Evil
Author: Soman Chainani
Illustrator: Iacopo Bruno
Year: 2013
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age: 9 – 13
More info: School for Good and Evil #1
Plot
Sophie thinks her history makes her a good fit for the School of Good like Cinderella and Snow White before her. Agatha thinks the School of Evil is a better fit for her. But when the opposite schools are assigned to each girl, they need to figure out who they are and where they belong.
Why Jackie loves it
Utterly addicting, this series has 6 stories and was recently made into a movie starring Kerry Washington.
Find this book in: Books Similar to Percy Jackson / Netflix Adaptations / Middle Grade Fantasy / Kids Audiobooks / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Best Books for a 9-year-old / Books like KOTLC / Family Halloween Movies Based on Books / Magic School Books

Keeper of the Lost Cities
Author: Shannon Messenger
Year: 2012
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age: 9 – 12
More info: New York Times Bestseller, USA Today Bestseller, KOTLC #1
Plot
Move over Harry Potter, there is a new middle grade fantasy series poised to take your throne! Meet Sophie Foster, a newly found elf living in the human world. In book one of this ever-growing series, she’s taken back to the Lost Cities and sent to Foxfire Academy to learn to harness her powers as a Telepath. In the process, she is welcomed into a new adopted family (The Ruewens), makes loads of friends (Fitz, Keefe, Biana, and Dex to name a few), and uncovers a secret organization trying to destroy the human world.
Why Kirsten loves it
Both of my boys adore Sophie, Keefe, Fitz, and the gang of Foxfire Academy. As the series progressed, I got invested in the Black Swan’s fight against the Neverseen. Each book is better than the last one!
Why Jackie loves it
I listened to this with my 3 kids on our summer road trip to Toronto. By the end of the car ride, even my husband was hooked on this series!
Find this book in: Secret Society Books / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Books for 11-year-olds / Books Like Harry Potter / Kids Audiobooks / Books with Magical Creatures
Classic Audiobooks for Kids

A Wrinkle in Time
Author: Madeleine L’Engle
Year: 1962
Genre: Middle Grade Sci-Fi
Age: 8 – 11
More info: Time Quintet #1, Newbery Medal Winner
Plot
This classic sci-fi book for tweens tells the story of Meg, a high school student, who must travel through space and time to rescue her father.
Along with her younger brother and her friend, Meg learns about the tesseract- a wrinkle in time and space that she must travel through to save her father from Evil.
Why Jackie loves it
I remember loving this science fiction book as a kid. As far as classic sci-fi books go, this is a must-read.
Find this book in: Classic Books for Kids / Kids Audiobooks / Best Sci-fi Books / Middle Grade Books / Best Books for 10-year-olds

Ramona Quimby Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
Ramona is another adorable character who is perfectly imperfect. She is sweet and lovable and gets into her share of trouble. Whether reading to boys or girls, every child can relate to Ramona.
Why We Love This Book: When it comes to first chapter books Ramona can’t be beaten! Cleary’s classic has stood the test of time.
Appropriate for ages 4-9
Find this book in Realistic Fiction / Books for 6-year-olds / Kids Audiobooks /

The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh
Author: A. A. Milne
Illustrator: Ernest H. Shepard
Year: 1926
Genre: Classic Kid’s Book
Age: 0 – 6
More info:
Plot
Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, and Christopher Robin have lived in the hearts of children for generations. This edition features the complete works of A. A. Milne’s stories and is essential for any home library.
Why Jackie loves it
This is such a heartwarming classic book for kids. We dare you to read it without crying.
Find this book in: Rabbit Books / Best Audiobooks for Kids / Best Animal Books for Kids / Family Halloween Movies Based on Books /Audiobooks for Kids

Charlotte’s Web
Author: E.B. White
Illustrator: Garth Williams
Year: 1952
Genre: Children’s Classic
Age: 5-8
More info: Newbery Winner
Plot
This is such a wonderful story of unconditional love and friendship. When Fern saves the life of Wilbur, the runt of the pig litter, she promises to take care of him. As Wilbur grows, he befriends Charlotte, a spider, who ultimately saves his life a second time.
Why Jackie loves it
This is such a heartwarming classic book for kids. We dare you to read it without crying.
Find this book in: Best Classic Books for Kids / Read Aloud Children’s Books / The Best Family Audiobooks / Animal Books for Kids

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
I adore this story about a little boy who gets the magical power to turn everything he touches into chocolate. If you have not read it, you have to know it’s absolutely hilarious.
Why We Love This Book: This twist on the Midas Touch is adorable and the thought of turning parents into chocolate had my kids rolling with laughter.
Appropriate for ages 6-9
Find this book in Candy Books / Read Aloud Books / Audiobooks for Kids
Contemporary Audiobooks for Kids

The Misfits
Author: Lisa Yee
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Year: 2024
Genre: Middle-Grade Mystery
Age: 8-12
More info: Newberry Honor Winner and National Book Award Author, Caldecott Medalist Illustrations
Plot
Olive is usually a misfit at every school she attends, but at her latest school, RASCH, her differences are why she’s chosen for an elite crime-fighting squad.
As she and the other Misfits go undercover to nab a prolific jewel thief, they must learn to work together and lean on one another.
Why Kirsten loves it
The diverse cast of characters comes alive in this story – each bringing their own quirks, skills, and differences to create a cohesive team. #Gifted by Penguin Kids
Find this book in: Best Audiobooks for Kids / Books for 12-year-olds / Mystery Books for Kids / Best New Mystery Books 2024

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
Author: Chris Grabenstein
Year: 2015
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 9 – 11
More info: Mr. Lemoncello’s Library #1,
Plot
Mr. Lemoncello’s library is one of a kind. It’s full of holograms, logic puzzles, and hidden games. To officially open the new library, a few lucky kids get to spend the night inside as they try to win Mr. Lemoncello’s game and be the first team to escape.
Why Kirsten loves it
If you are looking for great bedtime stories for kids, this series will hit the mark. It will get your kids engaged with one-of-a-kid puzzles and delightful twists and turns.
Find this book in: Audiobooks for Kids / Netflix Book Adaptations / Middle Grade Mysteries / Books for 10-year-olds / Read Aloud Books / Best Puzzle Books

Front Desk
Author: Kelly Yang
Year: 2019
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 9 – 11
More info: Front Desk #1, Winner of the Asian / Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature
Plot
This recently banned book tells the story of Mia and her family who are immigrants from China. Mia’s struggles to be successful in America are met with the divide between classes in her school, the racism she faces, and her family’s quest to make ends meet.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved learning from Mia and watching her problem-solve to help her family as they took over caring for the Calivista Motel. If you are looking for realistic fiction middle-grade books that skew a little younger, check out this realistic fiction book.
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books / Books for 10-year-olds / Audiobooks for Kids / Hotel Novels / Books about Poverty and It’s Impact

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
Author: Dan Gemeinhart
Year: 2019
Genre: Fiction
Age: 9-12
More info: Coyote Sunrise #1
Plot
Coyote Sunrise lives with her Dad, Rodeo on an old school bus, riding around the country but never returning to where her mother and sisters died.
Until Coyote gets a call from her grandma that the park where she hid a memory box is scheduled to be torn down. Soon Coyote needs to figure out a plan to get her dad back to Washington before she loses that box.
Trigger Warnings
Child death, Death of parent, Grief
Why Kirsten loves it
Filled with life lessons and charming strangers they meet and transport along the way, I adored Coyote and her unique life. My kids listened with me too and they felt the same way.
Find this book in: Realistic Fiction / Audiobooks for Kids / Audiobooks for a Road Trip / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Best Books for a 10-year-old

Echo
Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan
Year: 2015
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age: 10 – 12
More info: Newbery Honor Book, New York Times Bestseller, Children’s Literature Legacy Award Winner
Plot
The story is three tales woven together in one with a magical harmonica at the center. The story follows a harmonica as it lands in the hands of Freidrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California.
Part fairy tale and part historical fiction, this is one story that is amazing for middle grade and adults alike. Each child has their own adventure but the end brings the three stories together in a beautiful way.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Antisemitism
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s not often that I find myself contemplating a middle grade story long after I have finished it, but I have thought of this one many times in the years since I read it. My children loved it just as much as I did when we listened to it during a road trip.
Why Jackie loves it
I listened to this feel-good book and it blew me away. The full-cast audiobook plays music so it is a full sensory experience. In our opinion, this story is best in audiobook format.
Find this book in: World War II Books for Kids / Magical Realism Books / Books for 11-Year-Olds / Audiobooks for Kids / Novels About Music

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
Author: Karina Yan Glaser
Year: 2018
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 7 – 12
More info: Vanderbeekers #1
Plot
This charming story is about a bi-racial family in Harlem with 5 kids who are about to lose their home before Christmas. Why? Because their reclusive landlord won’t renew their lease.
My entire family enjoyed this delightful tale of the siblings trying to win their landlord over so they don’t have to leave home. It was full of all the antics you would expect of a big family.
Why Kirsten loves it
I can’t begin to tell you how connected my family has grown to the Vanderbeekers over the course of the series. They are sweet, funny, good-natured, mischievous children – each with a personality all their own. Their antics make for incredible stories, but the heart and love at the center of the family keep me reaching for these books. This is hands down one of my favorite series for middle grade readers and the one I recommend the most often.
Why Jackie loves it
I love that the Vanderbeekers’ story normalizes city living and a bi-racial family – something that’s hard to find in many children’s book series. You will fall in love with this cast of characters and as the series progresses you’ll come to regard them as family.
Find this book in: Best Books for a 10-Year-Old / Best Family Audiobooks For Road Trips / Read Aloud Books / Realistic Fiction Books / Christmas Chapter Books
Kids Audiobooks for Animal-Loving Kids

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Based on the true story of Ivan, a gorilla trapped in a shopping mall, this feel-good story is one of the best family audiobooks for any road trip.
Stella, a young girl gets Ivan to start painting again and she realizes how lonely he is. Bob, a stray dog, works to help Ivan and Ruby, a baby elephant, garner the attention they need to be sent to a better home.
Why I Love This Book: This book will touch your heart. Even though there are sad parts in this book, the ending will make it worthwhile. This is one of the best animal fiction books for middle grade and adults.
Appropriate for ages 8-10
Find this book in Books for 9-year-olds, Zoo Books, Family Audiobooks, Animal Novels / Audiobooks for Kids

Plot
This coming-of-age story is about a deaf girl who is struggling to connect with her community and a whale named Blue 52 who can’t find his ocean community either. She sets out to connect with Blue 52 and along the way she finds her inner strength beautifully.
Why Kirsten loves it
This was one of the realistic fiction audiobooks for tweens I listened to with my kids and we all just adored it. I had tears streaming down my face at the end.
Find this book in: Books for 10-year-olds / Audiobooks for Kids / Realistic Fiction / Animal Books for Kids / Best Books for 10-year-olds

A Wolf Called Wander
Author: Rosanne Parry
Year: 2019
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 8 – 11
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Plot
Rosanne does a marvelous job of telling the true story of a wolf trying to survive when separated from his family. Without the protection of his pack, Swift must learn how to thrive on his own.
Swift’s journey takes him across 1,000 miles of forests, highways, and rivers with danger facing him at every turn.
Why Kirsten loves it
My family was riveted by this story when we listened on a recent family road trip. Even though this is a middle-grade book, we love this for adults as well.
Find this book in: Animal Novels / Middle-Grade Fiction / Audiobooks for Kids / Animals Books for Kids / Best Books for 10-year-olds
What are your favorite audiobooks for kids?
How Can I Get Audiobooks for Kids Free?
The best way to get free audiobooks for kids is through your local library through the Libby App or Hoopla
If you are looking for deeply discounted books, Libro.Fm has a “Kids Club” that offers deeply discounted audiobooks for kids. These change each month and are usually under $5.
Are Audiobooks Healthy for Kids?
Absolutely! Many teachers count audiobooks as reading time because the benefits are the same and many children find audiobooks more enjoyable.
Do Audiobooks Count as Reading?
Of course! Generally speaking, children’s auditory comprehension is higher than their reading comprehension, so audiobooks can help develop vocabulary, improve listening skill, and strengthen knowledge. When you read to children out loud, they get the same benefits as listening to an audiobook.
What Are Some Good Audiobooks for Kids?
We love audiobooks whose narrators bring the story to life. Jim Dale’s work on Harry Potter stands out, but we also love the Vanderbeekers and Coyote Sunrise!

The Best Family Audiobooks For Road Trips and Home Listening
For more audiobooks for kids, check out this list.
12 Audible Alternatives: The Best Way to Listen to Audiobooks
Looking for the best way to listen to audiobooks? We’ve got you covered with this guide!


The Best Book Lists by Age for 2024
Looking for books for a specific age group? We’ve got lists divided by age for 1 to 13-year-olds!
The Best Audiobooks of All Time for 2023 and Beyond
These are our favorite audiobooks EVER. Find you next great read on this list!
