Jemma Wolfe, Audiobooks.com | The Children’s Book Review | October 26, 2017
Our kids lead busy lives. After a full day at school, followed by homework, and finished off by piano lessons or dance class, it can be difficult to find time for supplementary reading. Cue audiobooks! Whether you’re on the go (try in the car), or winding down together before bed, audiobooks can provide educational entertainment for your children that turns wasted time into reading time.
Audiobooks Recommended for ages 5-7
The Cat In the Hat and Other Dr. Seuss Favorites – (Fiction)
By Dr. Seuss, read by Kelsey Grammer, Dustin Hoffman, John Lithgow, other celebrities
Gently introduce important topics to your kids in a fun way with family favorite Dr. Seuss. Woven into his clever rhymes are lessons on environmentalism (The Lorax), dealing with marginalization and adversity (Horton Hears a Who!), and more, all with celebrity narration that parents will enjoy.
The Magic School Bus: Inside the Human Body – (Fiction/Non-Fiction)
By Joanna Cole, Bruce Degen, narrated by Cassandra Morris, Polly Adams
Who knew that learning about human anatomy (the vascular and gastrointestinal systems, specifically), could be so much fun? Join Ms Frizzle and her class of curious students as they take a very close look inside the body of one of their unsuspecting classmates.
Recommended for ages 8-12
Hidden Figures (Young Readers’ Edition) – (Non-Fiction)
By Margot Lee Shetterly, read by Bahni Turpin
Before there was the Academy Award-winning film, there was the book by Margot Lee Shetterly, adapted for younger readers! Introduce an immense variety of important subjects to your kids with this audiobook, which covers American history, the civil rights movement, the science of space travel, and the importance of gender and racial equality.
By RJ Palacio, read by Nick Podehl, Kate Rudd, Diana Steele
Sometimes the best lessons you can teach as a parent aren’t how to solve a math equation; they’re how to be a good person. This bestselling novel develops emotional sensitivity, encourages empathy, and demonstrates the importance of respect for people with physical disabilities.
Elon Musk and the Quest for a Fantastic Future (Young Readers’ Edition) – (Non-Fiction)
By Ashlee Vance, read by Fred Sanders
Inspire your child to dream big – and get tech savvy – with this young readers’ edition of Ashlee Vance’s bestselling biography of inventor and innovator Elon Musk. From Tesla to the Hyperloop, Elon Musk is shaping our future by pushing the boundaries of engineering science.
By Gary Paulsen, read by Peter Coyote
Help your child learn valuable survival skills and emotional independence with this kid lit classic, then watch them take the lead on your next family camping trip (or maybe just impress their friends at their next Scouts meeting).
Recommended for ages 13+
By Angie Thomas, read by Bahni Turpin
This recent runaway bestseller addresses issues of racism and the Black Lives Matter movement in an accessible way for young teens. This novel will provoke challenging but critical conversations to have as a family.
The Boys in the Boat – (Non-Fiction)
By Daniel James Brown, read by Edward Herrmann
Instill in your kids the American values of perseverance and the fight for freedom with this inspiring teen “coming of age” story set against the backdrop of WWII and Nazism.
By Julie Murphy, read by Eileen Stevens
Conversations about body image are so important to have with young girls and women; this funny and inspiring story provides a great gateway into that tough topic because it covers fat shaming, body positivity, and young love.
By Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb, narrated by Archie Panjabi
Introduce your young adults to global affairs, terrorism and feminism with this critically acclaimed autobiography of the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
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As the fastest growing format in the publishing industry, audiobooks are no longer the low-quality “books on tape” of yesteryear. These fantastically narrated audiobooks bring stories to life, and have the ability to educate in a way that just feels like fun. And as an added bonus, the shared experience of listening together – in the car, kitchen, or curled up on the couch – makes for fantastic dinner table conversation.
The article 10 Audiobooks that Educate & Entertain was written by Jemma Wolfe from Audiobooks.com. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Audiobooks, Dr. Seuss, Educational Books, and Reading Tips.