AudioFile Magazine curated this audiobook list exclusively for The Children’s Book Review.
These audiobooks will immerse young listeners in authentic cultural experiences with thoughtful productions, inspire budding scientists, and help families welcome the winter season. The narrators’ well-matched performances help bring home powerful messages of working together and never giving up. And a high-energy listen that’s as much for parents as it is for children reflects a chaotic-cozy family life that will likely sound all too familiar.
Best New Audiobooks for Ages 4-6+
Bitter Tea and Rock Candy
Written by Yan Gu
Read by Katharine Chin
AudioFile Earphones Award
Macmillan Audio | 8 mins. | Ages 4-8
Mimi doesn’t like Waipo’s favorite tea. How long can she avoid drinking it without hurting her grandmother’s feelings? Katharine Chin delivers the answer in a heartfelt performance. Chin captures the humor in Mimi’s efforts to get rid of the tea. The descriptions of Waipo making liangcha are clear and made all the more immersive with the perfectly choreographed sound effects. Chin’s emotionally resonant narration makes this story, steeped in Chinese culture, all the sweeter. Review»
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Clack, Clack! Smack!
Written by Traci Sorell
Read by Zebadiah Nofire, Joshua Mouse, Ryan Livers, Darion Locust, Carlos Sorell, Levi Killer, Nalayah Oosahwe, Draylan Bunch, Scarlett Chanate, Nathan Pritchett, River Shade, Traci Sorell
AudioFile Earphones Award
Live Oak Media | 10 mins. | Ages 4-7
A full cast of Native American performers take young listeners to a Cherokee stickball game. Most of the narrators are Cherokee, like author Traci Sorell, who delivers her concluding notes, and Zebadiah Nofire, who ably leads the narration and voices the glossary. The dialogue is delivered in the Tsalagi language—carefully contextualized for comprehension—which particularizes this celebration of Cherokee culture. Also distinct to the culture is the plot’s resolution, in which protagonist Vann delivers an assist to his teammate, underscoring the Cherokee value of “gadugi”—working together. Review»
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Rock Paper Incisors: Skunk and Badger, Book 3
Written by Amy Timberlake
Read by Michael Boatman
Hachette Audio | 4.5 hrs. | Ages 7-10
Narrator Michael Boatman is once again a master of vocal sound effects in this third installment of the Skunk and Badger series. Raising two precocious young rats in Aunt Lula’s brownstone, Skunk and Badger find themselves in way, way over their heads. Boatman captures the mayhem in a high-energy, fully committed performance, differentiating the animal characters, emphasizing the many all-caps words and phrases, and using his voice to paint a picture of a family life that’s chaotic, cozy, and loving. Review»
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Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe
Written by Amy S. Hansen, Wanda Diaz Merced
Read by M.L. Sanchez
Dreamscape | 16 mins. | Ages 6-9
M.L. Sanchez introduces listeners to Wanda, a real-life Puerto Rican child who, after seeing the magic of the stars on a fishing trip, grows up to be an astrophysicist. She goes to college but, tragically, loses her vision to diabetes. Because Wanda observes by hearing patterns and anomalies, she discovers something in the stars no one else has ever noticed. Audio enables listeners to journey with Wanda while learning scientific terms and benefitting from her refrain: “Never give up!”. Review»
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A Snow Day for Amos McGee
Written by Philip C. Stead
Read by Charles Everett
Macmillan Audio | 7 mins. | Ages 3-6
Charles Everett’s deep voice combines with bright, cheery music to welcome listeners into the third tale of elderly zookeeper Amos and his animal friends. Amos weathers windy, rainy days by knitting thoughtful gifts, including an afghan for the tortoise, “who liked the feeling of being all tucked in.” Everett builds delicious anticipation for the arrival of the first big snow. Review»
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The article “Best New Audiobooks for Ages 4-6+” was curated by AudioFile. AudioFile is an independent source of audiobook reviews and recommendations with a clear focus on the performance and listening experience. AudioFile Earphones Awards are given to exceptional audiobooks. To learn more, visit audiofilemagazine.com, BlueSky @audiofilemagazine.bsky.social, Facebook @audiofilemagazine, and Instagram @AudioFileMagazine
