This post was originally published on Audible.com.
As you prepare your children for the school year ahead — whether your little one is heading off to school for the very first time and has some jitters, or is an expert and wants a relaxing listen after their homework is done — we’ve put together this list of listens that is sure to make going back to school fun. May the new school year be filled with new friends, beautiful stories, and even better listens!
Twelve-year-old Will Haddon and his twin friends, Dar and Juno, find a safe full of money and human bones in an old house that's sticking out of a rapidly receding lake amid the worst drought in history. Their mission to identify the body reveals secrets that will rewrite the history of their town and the story of their lives. Winner of the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 2024, this gripping audiobook is read by author Tristan Bancks.
Cartoonist Jeff Kinney became a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World on the strength of creating a middle-school weakling named Greg Heffley. In the 20th installment of the listener favorite Wimpy Kid series, Greg is planning the ultimate party — for himself. But when the guest list grows, the decorations flop, and the surprises backfire, this birthday bash turns into a total blowout — just not the kind Greg had in mind.
This Earphones Award-winning rendition is the first audio version of the beloved classic, and it's only appropriate that author E.B. White narrated his own 1953 Newbery Medal Book. He tells the story of Wilbur, a pig who befriends a spider named Charlotte who helps him avoid slaughter. White wrote the story with care and compassion, and performs it as such—there’s no added drama, and each character is portrayed exactly as he intended. Children will be swept up in this tale of kindness and compassion, and parents will value the lessons it instills. Even 70 years after its debut, Charlotte’s Web still holds the same gentle magic that parents and grandparents will remember from their own childhoods.
Season 2 of Nick Jr.’s Rise and Shine is dishing up even more fun adventures to start your day! Join Josh and Blue on their sunrise safari adventure, help Dora on her royal breakfast quest, steer Blaze across the finish line of the Mega Morning Race, and save the day before it even starts with PAW Patrol! With catchy songs and upbeat stories, we have the morning routine covered, so you can focus on the parts of your day that matter most.
In the past, our favorite disgruntled pigeon has tried to drive a bus, found a hot dog, stayed up late, and much more. In this story, to his dismay, the pigeon is told that he has to go to school. But good news: He's not buying it. In this fun story narrated by author Mo Willems, kids can echo their own anxieties about going back to school, and their laughter at the pigeon's arguments will lighten the tensions that might come up on a stressful day.
Switching schools is always hard. But when aspiring young artist and cartoonist Jordan Banks is forced by his parents to attend a ritzy private school, he finds that he's one of only a few Black kids who attends. What follows is a tale that will be relatable to kids of color and eye-opening for all listeners. This book is fun and lighthearted, even as it deals with tough topics of difference, privilege, and microaggressions. A full cast of narrators brings this multi-award-winning book to life.
The stories of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie have been read and loved by Australian families from one generation to the next and many Australian adults fondly recall reading the famous Gumnut Classics during their own childhood. In this ABC dramatisation, all the delightful characters are brought to life in the stories of the intrepid Gumnuts and their good friends, charming Mr Lizard and Little Ragged Blossom, who encounter the terrifying Bad Banksia Men and the wicked Mrs Snake.
From Caldecott Honor illustrator Dav Pilkey, this outrageously funny series revolves around two class clowns and their brainchild: Captain Underpants! Bored with the usual comic book heroes, fourth-graders George Beard and Harold Hutchins set out to create the greatest superhero in the history of elementary school. (His true identity is so secret, even he doesn’t know who he is.) In a flash, Captain Underpants takes on a life of his own, doing battle with nasty villains from Bionic Booger Boy to the Purple Potty People. Len Forgione, Dazjon Freeman, and Ben D’Amico will keep the entire family laughing with their hilarious performances.
Hello-ee-o-ee-o podcast fans and welcome back to The Sesame Street Podcast with Foley and Friends! Season three of this energetic Audible Original podcast follows Foley and her Sesame Street friends Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby, and Grover as they teach kids about everything from morning routines to dealing with the grouchies—complete with music, jokes, and, of course, games to make the learning lots of fun!
This story of a smart, silly, friendly boy starting fifth grade while looking decidedly different from the other kids in his class has captured the hearts of millions. Author R. J. Palacio has called Wonder a meditation on kindness and, to be sure, listeners of any age will gain empathy and compassion from this powerful story about a young boy who looks different—but is brave enough to stand out.
Shayla is just hoping to get through seventh grade unscathed and follow the rules as always. But when her family gets involved in Black Lives Matter protests that Shay finds inspiring, fellow students claim she isn't "Black enough," and her best friends start acting weird, Shayla decides it's time to make some changes. And the first one will be challenging the rulebook. Narrator Imani Parks brings her voice-acting chops to this empowering audiobook about standing up for what you believe in.
As the first day of school approaches, some of Hattie Harmony’s friends are feeling anxious. Not to worry: Hattie is a Worry Detective with a bag full of ways to deal with big emotions! Listen along as Hattie teaches her friends how to calm the jitters by using movement, mindful breathing, and the catchy mantra: “Worry, worry, go away! There’s no time for you today!” This fun, singsong listen introduces little ones to the importance of self-care with warmth and humor.
This hilarious and heartwarming audiobook is sure to keep kids entertained while getting them excited for their first day back at school. The particular ninja telling his story, Chase Cooper, is starting the year at a brand new school. But he doesn't skip a beat as he chronicles his journey from a scrawny fourth grader to a full-fledged sixth grade ninja. Narrator Josh Hurley’s energetic tone perfectly matches the thrilling adventure our hero takes us on.
Little Leaders tells the story of 40 groundbreaking Black women who have broken barriers and changed the world in the process. Among some of these incredible women are abolitionist Sojourner Truth, pilot Bessie Coleman, chemist Alice Ball, politician Shirley Chisholm, mathematician Katherine Johnson, poet Maya Angelou, and filmmaker Julie Dash. If you aim to educate and inspire the young ones in your life, this audiobook full of real-life role models is a great choice.
This important piece of history and literature isn't just a mainstay of school curricula — it's an important, powerful, ever-relevant reminder of humanity in hard times. Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl offers young listeners a window into the thoughts of one Jewish girl hiding from Nazi occupation — her fears, passions, desires and everyday thoughts. In many ways, it’s Anne’s averageness that makes the diary so profound. This acclaimed audiobook, read by Helena Bonham Carter, is a jumping-off point for kids to discuss history, coming-of-age, and empathy.
