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Can someone recommend a good audiobook for kids?
My family is going to be taking a twelve-hour car trip, and I'd like to have something for the kids to do besides play their DSs the whole time.
I have a nine-year-old daughter and a seven-year-old son, and would like to find something on Audible that would interest them both, and since I'd be playing it over the van's speakers, something that my wife and I might enjoy as well.
Something that's several hours long that we could listen to in chunks over the course of the trip would be a plus.
I have a nine-year-old daughter and a seven-year-old son, and would like to find something on Audible that would interest them both, and since I'd be playing it over the van's speakers, something that my wife and I might enjoy as well.
Something that's several hours long that we could listen to in chunks over the course of the trip would be a plus.
answers (9)
My kids are 4, 10, and 12, and we regularly make a 3-hour trip (6 hours round trip) as well as other, longer trips in the car.
The biggest hits with my kids have been Gone Away Lake and Penney from Heaven. They also have loved Story of the World, a narrative world history course for young kids.
Gone Away Lake is a classic. A girl is on her annual summer visit to her cousin's house. One day they go wandering in the woods a find a huge, open meadow full of cattails, with a rowboat upside down in the center of it. From the top of the rowboat they can see that on the other side of the meadow, against the woods, there is a row of elegant, decaying mansions. Then they notice a couple of them aren't in bad shape at all. And they hear someone singing. My kids couldn't stop listening, even when we stopped for a bathroom break. Here's the link to Audible for it: http://bit.ly/30iPAK
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm is terrific, a slice of life of Brooklyn in the Fifties, based on the life of the author's mother. Penny lives with her very WASPish grandparents and mother. Her Italian-American dad died mysteriously during WWII. She spends a lot of time with her dad's large, colorful Italian family: Her Nonny, who maintains a shrine to him on her stairwell; her favorite cousin who can think of dozens of ways to innocently get into trouble, including hunting for a treasure he's convinced their grandpa hid on his property; her favorite uncle, a minor-league baseball player who lives in his car. And now her mom's dating the milkman? Great coming-of-age story with lots of humor and a non-stereotyped view of Italian Americans that also addresses the American government's treatment of them during WWII.
Best of all it's on special at Audible right now! http://bit.ly/GXRB
Story of the World is a terrific, award-winning history curriculum that starts at pre-history and includes all continents and civilizations, including Africa, India, Asia, the Americas and even the Pacific islands. It's done in a narrative format, told as stories rather than boring "high points". It's great for all ages but the tone is really for elementary school ages. Even though it's officially curriculum, it's fun and interesting. Kind of like hiding spinach in brownies.
For Story of the World, the link is for the print books. The audio link doesn't have descriptions so I've included the link to the books. But click on Audio Books to the right to find it on audio.
http://www.peacehillpress.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=
The biggest hits with my kids have been Gone Away Lake and Penney from Heaven. They also have loved Story of the World, a narrative world history course for young kids.
Gone Away Lake is a classic. A girl is on her annual summer visit to her cousin's house. One day they go wandering in the woods a find a huge, open meadow full of cattails, with a rowboat upside down in the center of it. From the top of the rowboat they can see that on the other side of the meadow, against the woods, there is a row of elegant, decaying mansions. Then they notice a couple of them aren't in bad shape at all. And they hear someone singing. My kids couldn't stop listening, even when we stopped for a bathroom break. Here's the link to Audible for it: http://bit.ly/30iPAK
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm is terrific, a slice of life of Brooklyn in the Fifties, based on the life of the author's mother. Penny lives with her very WASPish grandparents and mother. Her Italian-American dad died mysteriously during WWII. She spends a lot of time with her dad's large, colorful Italian family: Her Nonny, who maintains a shrine to him on her stairwell; her favorite cousin who can think of dozens of ways to innocently get into trouble, including hunting for a treasure he's convinced their grandpa hid on his property; her favorite uncle, a minor-league baseball player who lives in his car. And now her mom's dating the milkman? Great coming-of-age story with lots of humor and a non-stereotyped view of Italian Americans that also addresses the American government's treatment of them during WWII.
Best of all it's on special at Audible right now! http://bit.ly/GXRB
Story of the World is a terrific, award-winning history curriculum that starts at pre-history and includes all continents and civilizations, including Africa, India, Asia, the Americas and even the Pacific islands. It's done in a narrative format, told as stories rather than boring "high points". It's great for all ages but the tone is really for elementary school ages. Even though it's officially curriculum, it's fun and interesting. Kind of like hiding spinach in brownies.
For Story of the World, the link is for the print books. The audio link doesn't have descriptions so I've included the link to the books. But click on Audio Books to the right to find it on audio.
http://www.peacehillpress.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=
| Asker's rating: |
After sampling a few, my daughter went with Gone-away Lake, and my son decided on a few Magic Treehouse stories. Thanks for the suggestions!
voted helpful: cheesehead dave, cfinke
Harry Potter. Start from the first book: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and work your way through to the end of the series. The narrator, Jim Dale, is fantastic.
voted helpful: cfinke
Not having kids myself (and a bit too old to remember what I read as a kid!), I can't honestly recommend any, however Audible has a good selection, as well as recommendations for different age groups.
The kids selection can be found at http://kids.audible.com
Besides that - one of the Harry Potter books might be good to entertain the whole family?
The kids selection can be found at http://kids.audible.com
Besides that - one of the Harry Potter books might be good to entertain the whole family?
voted unhelpful: cfinke, cheesehead dave
The list of books that immediately caught my eye browsing on this site was the collection of 'Roald Dahl's Greatest Hits'. Roald Dahl has written books that are excellent for both children and adults including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and James and the Giant Peach (those are my personal favorites).
It looks like Matilda is the longest at just over 4 hours, so if you got that audio book along with the other two I mentioned, you would have around 10 hours of awesome audio books.
Whether or not you've read any of these books or seen their movie adaptations, I think you and your kids will really enjoy them; they have an excellent mix of fantasy and humor that works for everybody.
http://kids.audible.com/adkd/site/k/lists/TitleList.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&viewtype=public&titlelistid=580
It looks like Matilda is the longest at just over 4 hours, so if you got that audio book along with the other two I mentioned, you would have around 10 hours of awesome audio books.
Whether or not you've read any of these books or seen their movie adaptations, I think you and your kids will really enjoy them; they have an excellent mix of fantasy and humor that works for everybody.
http://kids.audible.com/adkd/site/k/lists/TitleList.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&viewtype=public&titlelistid=580
voted helpful: cfinke, tracebooks
+1 for Roald Dahl. A big favorite in my family.
I would highly recommend the dramatized version of the Chronicles of Narnia. It is fantastic. Here is a link to the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. The first book in this audio series is actually The Magician's Nephew. The whole family will enjoy this.
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/products/ProductDetail.jsp?productID=RT_FOFA_000005&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White is also good but it is not dramatized like the the Chronicles of Narnia series
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/products/ProductDetail.jsp?productID=BK_LILI_000491&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
My family also really likes Louis L'Amour books. Even the girls like them b/c usually there is a nice romantic story somewhere in them too. They are not really kid books though.
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/enSearch/searchResults.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&N=0&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&D=louis+lamour&Dx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&Ntk=S_Keywords&Ntt=louis+lamour&x=0&y=0
Have fun on your trip! We love listening to books on the go.
Oh these might be a little young for your kids, I am not sure. I know my 7 yo son and 8 year old daughter still like them and they are really fun stories for grown ups too, but its the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborn. She does a really good job of reading them.
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/enSearch/searchResults.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&N=0&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&D=magic+tree+house&Dx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&Ntk=S_Keywords&Ntt=magic+tree+house&x=0&y=0
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/products/ProductDetail.jsp?productID=RT_FOFA_000005&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White is also good but it is not dramatized like the the Chronicles of Narnia series
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/products/ProductDetail.jsp?productID=BK_LILI_000491&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
My family also really likes Louis L'Amour books. Even the girls like them b/c usually there is a nice romantic story somewhere in them too. They are not really kid books though.
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/enSearch/searchResults.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&N=0&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&D=louis+lamour&Dx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&Ntk=S_Keywords&Ntt=louis+lamour&x=0&y=0
Have fun on your trip! We love listening to books on the go.
Oh these might be a little young for your kids, I am not sure. I know my 7 yo son and 8 year old daughter still like them and they are really fun stories for grown ups too, but its the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborn. She does a really good job of reading them.
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/enSearch/searchResults.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&N=0&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&D=magic+tree+house&Dx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&Ntk=S_Keywords&Ntt=magic+tree+house&x=0&y=0
source(s):
www.audible.com
www.audible.com
voted helpful: cfinke, cheesehead dave, tracebooks
After sampling a few, my daughter went with Gone-away Lake, and my son decided on a few Magic Treehouse stories. Thanks for the suggestions!
As a grade-school boy, I loved listening to the "Soup" series of books (on tape from my library), by Robert Newton Peck:
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/products/ProductDetail.jsp?productID=BK_ABKS_000028&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
"With over a dozen books now in the wildly popular Soup series, Robert Newton Peck started it all with this hilarious account of the nonstop mischief he and his best friend Soup got into as children in 1920s Vermont. You'll learn all about the time Soup taught Rob how to whack apples, only to wind up breaking a church's stained-glass window! Sure, the 2 pals have lots of fun doing things like rolling down a steep hill in barrels, but they just can't seem to stay out of trouble."
Here's an audio sample from Audible:
http://audible.edgeboss.net/download/audible/content/bk/abks/000028/bk_abks_000028_sample.mp3
It looks like Audible only has the first in the series, but I know that there are more of them, most likely available through your library system.
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/products/ProductDetail.jsp?productID=BK_ABKS_000028&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
"With over a dozen books now in the wildly popular Soup series, Robert Newton Peck started it all with this hilarious account of the nonstop mischief he and his best friend Soup got into as children in 1920s Vermont. You'll learn all about the time Soup taught Rob how to whack apples, only to wind up breaking a church's stained-glass window! Sure, the 2 pals have lots of fun doing things like rolling down a steep hill in barrels, but they just can't seem to stay out of trouble."
Here's an audio sample from Audible:
http://audible.edgeboss.net/download/audible/content/bk/abks/000028/bk_abks_000028_sample.mp3
It looks like Audible only has the first in the series, but I know that there are more of them, most likely available through your library system.
voted helpful: tracebooks
I used to go on long car trips all the time when I was a kid. One of my favorites to listen to was a book written by Christopher Paul Curtis called "The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963". In audiobook form it's read by Levar Burton which was probably the major hooking point for me. And it's suitable for every age.
http://i41.tinypic.com/ixxrvq.jpg
Another great Christopher Paul Curtis book is "Bud, Not Buddy". Having lost his mother, Bud goes on a journey in 1936 to find his father with his only clue being a Jazz flyer his mom left him. This one is personally one of my favorites and I've probably listened to it at least 4 times.
http://i39.tinypic.com/2exlzlh.jpg
Lastly, I'd recommend a book written by Gary Paulsen called "Hatchet". You may want to read more into this one as it's about a boy who crashes in a plane and has to survive in the wilderness with only a hatchet.
http://i43.tinypic.com/2ai1wd1.jpg
These are all audiobook and are pretty popular so they should be available in just about every audiobook store.
Another great Christopher Paul Curtis book is "Bud, Not Buddy". Having lost his mother, Bud goes on a journey in 1936 to find his father with his only clue being a Jazz flyer his mom left him. This one is personally one of my favorites and I've probably listened to it at least 4 times.
Lastly, I'd recommend a book written by Gary Paulsen called "Hatchet". You may want to read more into this one as it's about a boy who crashes in a plane and has to survive in the wilderness with only a hatchet.
These are all audiobook and are pretty popular so they should be available in just about every audiobook store.
source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Watsons_Go_to_Birmingham:_1963
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud,_Not_Buddy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatchet_(novel)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Watsons_Go_to_Birmingham:_1963
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud,_Not_Buddy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatchet_(novel)
voted helpful: cfinke, tracebooks
When I was little we listed to The Hobbit and The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. There is a little bit of adult content in Hitchhikers Guide, but it is hilarious for children and will make them think. The Hobbit is the prequel to Lord of the Rings, and much less boring.
voted helpful: cfinke, tracebooks
Podiobooks.com has a number of really great audiobooks in Mp3 format --- and they're FREE.
Children's section:
http://www.podiobooks.com/podiobooks/search.php?category=9
Young Adult section:
http://www.podiobooks.com/podiobooks/search.php?category=10
I'm somewhat partial to the Max Quick series :) but several of these other books are also quite good.
Children's section:
http://www.podiobooks.com/podiobooks/search.php?category=9
Young Adult section:
http://www.podiobooks.com/podiobooks/search.php?category=10
I'm somewhat partial to the Max Quick series :) but several of these other books are also quite good.
voted helpful: cfinke, tracebooks, nalkinburgh
I'm bookmarking this site! We spend so much time in the car that we do a lot of "carschooling" through fun books.
This is a good tip. Thanks for pointing out the site, I too will be boomarking it and checking it out.
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