Audiobooks for children are a great way to get your kids to begin reading. Children are used to hearing their parents and caretakers tell them stories and read books to them, so starting to read for themselves can be hard work. Audiobooks provide the perfect transition. Studies have shown that listening to audiobooks increases comprehension and vocabulary. In this list, we’ve curated ten children’s storybooks where the audiobook versions bring the story to life due to the performance of the narrator and provide your kid with an unforgettable experience. So if you’re looking to make your children listen to an audiobook and don’t know which one to choose, pick one from this list!

Note: This list is meant for children between the ages of eight and twelve.

01

The House At Pooh Corner

A.A. Milne (Author) & Alan Bennet (Narrator)

Winne The Pooh is a timeless book- children from the ages of five to 15 can enjoy it and learn a lot from the wise bear and his friends- Tiger, Piglet, Eeyore, Christopher Robin, etc. In his creation of the 100 Acre Wood, Milne has left an invaluable gift for children and adults alike. Alan Bennet narrates this version of one of the most popular Pooh books with such clarity and force of voice that the lessons from it are clear and evident for all its listeners.

Buy it here.

02

Matilda

Roald Dahl (Author) & Kate Winslet (Narrator)

Matilda, by Roald Dahl, is a classic. The story of a young talented girl raised by uncaring and nasty parents who are unappreciative of her genius speaks to every child. So when Kate Winslet, one of the foremost actresses of our times, undertakes the task of narrating this book, you know it’s going to be special. Just as her acting is filled with emotion, so is her reading. Through this audiobook, your child will empathise with Matilda, cower when Ms. Trunchbull approaches, and celebrate when Matilda finally gets her happy ending.

Buy it here.   

03

The Graveyard Book

Neil Gaiman (Author & Narrator)

One of Neil Gaiman’s greatest children’s works is The Graveyard Book and in this audiobook version, he narrates the story himself. In it, Nobody Owens is a boy who has been raised entirely by ghosts and other supernatural creatures and calls a graveyard his home. While he is safe in the graveyard, a murderer lurks beyond its boundaries, trying to capture him. Gaiman’s masterful, articulate and whimsical narration will enthral children as he brings his remarkable characters to life.

Buy it here.

04

Save Me A Seat

Sarah Weeks (Author), Gita Varadaranjan (Author), Josh Hurley (Narrator) & Vikas Adam (Narrator)

This beautiful story of an unlikely friendship between a typical all-American boy and an Indian immigrant is bound to appeal to your child, especially as the two protagonists band together to defeat the school’s greatest bully, something most children have experience with. By bringing in two voices- one American and one Indian, this audiobook feels very real and relatable as the dialogues of the Indian character are read out in an authentic Indian accent. Furthermore, if your child is enjoying audiobooks but is struggling to understand narrators who speak with a non-Indian accent, this book is easy for them to follow.

Buy it here.

05

Anne Of Green Gables

Lucy Maud Montgomery (Author) & Rachel McAdams (Narrator)

Anne Of Green Gables is the story of a feisty young orphan girl who is taken in by a brother and sister to help them around their farm, but she turns out to be not quite what they expected. Through her indomitable spirit and zany adventures, she endears herself not only to her caretakers but also to the villagers who live around the farm. This book is a lesson on friendship, courage, love, and sacrifice. Academy Award nominee, Rachel McAdams, brings to life the character of Anne in this narration and makes her even more likeable. 

Buy it here.

06

Harry Potter

J.K. Rowling (Author) & Stephen Fry (Narrator)

Harry Potter is one of the most popular children’s books (although read and loved by many adults as well) to have been written. The story of a young boy wizard who, along with his friends, defeats the greatest dark wizard to have existed is inspiring and entertaining at the same time. In this audiobook version, Stephen Fry narrates the Potter story in his unmistakable and articulate voice, using wild and whacky expressions, thereby, making it a memorable read for children and young adults alike.

Buy it here.

07

Great Stories For Children

Ruskin Bond (Author) & Adnan Kapadia (Narrator)

Ruskin Bond has written some lovely stories set in and around Mussourie and one of his collections of children’s stories is Great Stories For Children. In it, not only will your kid meet some fascinating monkeys, snakes and bears, but they will also learn about the natural world and how to take care of it. Each of the stories has a wonderful message or lesson. This audiobook version, narrated by Adnan Kapadia, brings these stories to life. Kapadia adds in little elements of dramatisation (such as making a whoosh sound as the mountain winds would) for an enjoyable experience.

Buy it here.

08

The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz

L. Frank Baum(Author) & Anne Hathway (Narrator)

Baum’s classic, The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, requires little introduction as it has enthralled generations of children while teaching them lessons of bravery, empathy, kindness, and love for all creatures. Given its popularity, numerous narrators have chosen to recite this book, and it was a tall task to choose just one. But we’re going to recommend the Anne Hathway version for its sheer brilliance in narration. The number of voices and accents that Hathway takes on- whether the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Woodman, or even scared field mice- is a joy to hear, and your children are unlikely to turn this audiobook off. 

Buy it here.

09

The Adventures Of Feluda: The Curse Of The Goddess

Satyajit Ray (Author) & Sumit Kaul (Narrator)

Satyajit Ray created one of India’s greatest literary characters, Prodosh C. Mitra, a.k.a. Feluda. Inspired by Sherlock Holmes, Feluda is a brilliant detective who often finds himself embroiled in mysteries along with his cousin, Topshe. Their adventures take them to various locations around India and make for an interesting read. Sumit Kaul adds the perfect amount of dramatisation, adapting his voice and tone to the situation in the book in a manner that makes listening to this Indian classic a truly pleasurable experience. If you enjoy this book, pick up The Adventures Of Feluda: The Royal Bengal Mystery, also narrated by Kaul.

Buy it here.

10

Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland

Lewis Carroll (Author) & Scarlett Johansson (Narrator)

Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland is a joy for any young reader. After Alice goes down the rabbit hole, she comes across good and evil queens, a crazy rabbit, magical potions and tea parties. Scarlett Johansson, in her trademark style and pizazz, narrates Alice’s whacky story and performs the roles of the various characters with aplomb, making for a truly unforgettable experience for any child.

Buy it here.

Have you heard any of these audiobooks for children? Did your kids enjoy them? Do you recommend any other audiobooks for children? Share with us in the comments below.

Nirbhay Kanoria

Nirbhay Kanoria

As a young boy, Nirbhay had the annoying habit of waking up at 5 a.m. Since television was a big no-no, he had no choice but to read to entertain himself and that is how his love affair with books began. A true-blue Piscean, books paved the path to his fantasy worlds- worlds he’d often rather stay in. Nirbhay is the co-founder and publisher of The Curious Reader.

You can read his articles, here.