Best Children's Audiobooks

Last updated: February 5, 2026

There's nothing like cozying up with a good book on a quiet afternoon, but that's not always an option for busy kids and families. Audiobooks are great for when lugging books around isn't easy or convenient, such as on car trips, while doing chores, taking the dog for a walk, or even just while playing or relaxing. There are a ton of benefits to listening to books as well, including reduced screen time, exposure to vocabulary-building words, access to texts above current reading levels, and better comprehension. Audiobooks are also a fantastic companion to reading a print book for struggling readers, and are proven to help kids expand their love of reading. So pop in your earbuds or snap on the headphones and get listening to our picks for the best children's audiobooks. These books have excellent audio versions, some read by the authors themselves. You'll find other captivating tales on our Read-Aloud Books and Great Books for Summer Travel lists.

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We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga Poster Image
BOOK

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

age 3+

Warm celebration of Cherokee families' year-round gratitude.

Fancy Nancy Poster Image
BOOK

Fancy Nancy

age 4+

Supportive family helps girly girl shine.

Frog and Toad Are Friends Poster Image
BOOK

Frog and Toad Are Friends

age 4+

Engaging stories spotlight charming, relatable characters.

The Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape! Poster Image
BOOK

The Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape!

age 4+

Colorful Easter egg hunt adventure is playful, creative fun.

The Smart Cookie Poster Image
BOOK

The Smart Cookie: The Food Group, Book 5

age 4+

Charming read-aloud has messages about learning differences.

cover of The Three Billy Goats Gruff
BOOK

The Three Billy Goats Gruff

age 4+

Great art and fun foodie details add to familiar folktale.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue: Mercy Watson, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Mercy Watson to the Rescue: Mercy Watson, Book 1

age 5+

Funny, silly pig story great for early readers.

Narwhal and Jelly book cover: A cartoon gray narwhal smiles in the center as a small blue jellyfish to the right of the narwhal looks surprised
BOOK

Narwhal and Jelly Series

age 5+

Lively series about undersea friends best for newer readers.

The Princess in Black Poster Image
BOOK

The Princess in Black

age 5+

Fun tale of monster-fighting princess who leads double life.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Poster Image
BOOK

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

age 6+

Classic morality tale is wildly entertaining.

Dory Fantasmagory: Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Dory Fantasmagory: Book 1

age 6+

Funny, relatable tale of 6-year-old with wild imagination.

Ivy + Bean, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Ivy + Bean, Book 1

age 6+

Friendship tale a sure hit with kids starting chapter books.

Little House in the Big Woods Poster Image
BOOK

Little House in the Big Woods

age 6+

Beloved frontier book has great messages but outdated slurs.

Magic Tree House Series Poster Image
BOOK

Magic Tree House Series

age 6+

Fun, educational chapter books have something for everyone.

Mr. Popper's Penguins Poster Image
BOOK

Mr. Popper's Penguins

age 6+

1939 Newbery Honor book is both tender and funny.

Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters: The Questioneers, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters: The Questioneers, Book 1

age 6+

Girl invents a painting machine in fun story of engineering.

Charlotte's Web Poster Image
BOOK

Charlotte's Web

age 7+

Gentle, much-loved barnyard classic delights all ages.

Stuntboy, in the Meantime Poster Image
BOOK

Stuntboy, in the Meantime: Stuntboy, Book 1

age 7+

Engaging, thoughtful story of changing family has great art.

The Field Guide: The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

The Field Guide: The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 1

age 7+

Siblings discover a fairy world in charming fantasy tale.

Belly Up: FunJungle, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Belly Up: FunJungle, Book 1

age 8+

Clever, action-packed zoo mystery has some graphic parts.

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