I am a big fan of books on tape (or I as they are now called: audio books). I have been listening to books forever – as you might be able to guess from me calling them books on tape!
I have been listening so long that I have had an Audible account since 2008 when Amazon bought it.
You get it. I LOVE audiobooks. I have fond memories of road trips with my parents and listening to the old school tapes or falling asleep listening for the 100th time to Anne of Green Gables.
Therefore, when we embarked on our road trip I looked into Audible’s selection of kids books and stories that we could listen to together as a family. We haven’t had much luck with podcasts (although there are so many great ones) but my kids love love loved these choices.
Bedtime Stories and Lullabies
by Campbell Books
You might recognize the name of Campbell Books for their great First Stories series or their Busy series.
They’ve compiled this audio book with abridged versions of Alice in Wonderland and Sleeping Beauty as well as a few nursery rhymes and bedtime songs. I first got this one when I lost my voice and couldn’t read to the kids at bedtime. And now it’s a firm favourite in the car.
George listens to it so much that during a hike on the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia, George kept yelling into the forest “OFF WITH YOUR HEAD”. I was both proud that my son was truly listening to the stories and embarrassed that our fellow-hikers might have suspected I was raising a pyschopath.
We enjoy them so much we have all books available:
Abridged versions of “Beauty and the Beast”, “Rapunzel”, and “Hansel and Gretal” to name a few (10 in total).
Love the narration of these stories – especially when they are read by the insanely talented Floella Benjamin.
Similar to the above with “The Three Little Pigs” that we listen to over and over and over again.
Just how often can two kids scream “I’ll HUFF AND I’LL PUFF AND I’LL BLOW YOUR HOUSE IN”?
A LOT.
A Christmas version that my kids loved. The stories were great but I wasn’t a huge fan of the carols.
The Cat in the Hat and Other Dr. Seuss Favorites
by Dr. Seuss
All your favourite Dr. Seuss stories read absolutely fabulously by famous actors like Kelsey Grammar, Dustin Hoffman, and Billy Chrystal (just to name a few).
This classic is read by the divine Imelda Staunton and the kids love it.
The only problem is that is is very short and only one book. However you can several of Julia Donaldson’s books on Audible and all are fantastic.
Who doesn’t love Roald Dahl? Now add Kate Winslet reading it and you’ve got the perfect audio experience!
Every Roald Dahl novel is on Audible (this just happens to be my favourite) and have narrators like David Walliams, Miranda Richardson, and Dan Stevens (Any Downton fans?).
If your kids can’t keep track of a whole novel, this is a great alternative. Again, British superstar actors read these amazing stories. We especially love Stephen Fry!
There are several variations of Beatrix Potter books on audible but this is hands down my favourite.
The narrator, Katherine Kellgren, is by far my most favourite voice-actor. Sadly, she passed away young from cancer in 2018. Such a talented voice and she brings to life these delightful stories. My kids love it.
The classic tales told in a fantastic and clear voice. Listening to it, I realize how many lessons we take from these fables when raising our kids! “Tortoise and the Hare” is my favourite.
Stephen Fry brings this first book to life (as well as several others) and I love love love it. I love Paddington and Fry’s voice is so soothing and lovely.
We love the Llama Llama books and these are wonderful to listen to in the car. They are read by the author and Cassandra Campbell (another insanely talented voice actor that has hundreds of books under her belt on Audible).
Do you know this book series? It’s wonderful! Do you have a princess loving girl in your house? This series reminds her that princesses can be bold, strong and secret-ninjas.
If you ask George what he wants to be when he grows up his answer will be “cowboy”. Therefore this story about a cowboy without a horse is a hit. Well performed and so fun to listen to.
On road trips, my parents would listen to James Harriot books. They also would watch the show “Creatures Great and Small” on PBS. So James Harriot has a soft spot in my heart.
This collection is simply wonderful but what makes it simply spectacular is Jim Dale. Jim Dale is the most incredible voice actor. I can’t even handle how good he is. In a few years, I’m going to write a post with books for older kids and I will tell you to listen to Jim Dale read “Harry Potter” because it is the best thing in the whole wide world.
So is this one.
This should get you to PEI and back – it worked for us! There are so many more options both on Audible and at the library (as long as you have a CD player in your car).
I have to admit that this is one case where I prefer to own them as opposed to using my beloved library card. This is for two reasons: we re-listen to them over and over again and I find the library copies are often damaged which makes them skip.
I love listening to these almost as much as the kids although I won’t lie when I say it’s annoying when they want to listen to their stories and I have to sacrifice my own audio book (damn kids).
And I think I can recite some of those fairy tales in my sleep now.
Happy Reading,
Curious in Wonderland
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