The Ultimate Audiobooks for Summer 2017

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Summer is coming and with it, long days of kids wandering around the house; road trips to see grandparents; and brighter, later nights that push bedtime later and later. We’ve pulled together a list of audiobooks to help see you and your kids through the epic car rides to the beach, to get everyone laughing — and dancing! — before dinner, and to ease your little ones off to bed. Kids love listening along with their parents, so our list includes only audiobooks we’re sure you’ll love, too. The long summer days (and nights) are a great time to introduce your kiddos to the beauty of listening along to tales of princesses and crocodiles, bravery and magic, and, of course, rocket ships.

  • For Kids Ages 8 - 13

  • Stories that will make you laugh, touch your heart, or give you a really good scare. Perfect for summertime family listening.

  • Baker’s Magic

    by Diane Zahler, narrated by Tavia Gilbert, Michael Crouch, and a full cast

    A full cast works together seamlessly in the charming — and delicious! — magical adventure of young Bee, the baker’s apprentice who discovers she can bake her feelings into her pastries. The large cast of characters is engaging and full of personality. Prepare to be swept away in this tasty tale that’s great for the whole family to enjoy — perhaps with a cinnamon bun or two on hand.

    Listen to a clip:

  • Hatched (The Enchanted Files, Book 2)

    by Bruce Coville, narrated by Matthew Frow, Jeremy Gumbs, and a full cast

    An anxious poetry-writing griffin named Gerald and his human friend, Brad, record their hilarious adventures in diary format, with a full cast ably voicing the many characters. While their adventures contain serious themes of bullying and finding one’s way in the world, humor and expert narration keep those weighty issues light and entertaining.

    Listen to a clip:

  • Hoodoo

    by Ronald L. Smith, narrated by Ron Butler

    Ron Butler delivers the spooky and comical tale of Hoodoo, a 12-year-old born into a magical family seemingly without any magic himself. Butler narrates with both the naïve playfulness of Hoodoo and the deep-voiced malevolence of the demon he must vanquish to save his family.

    Listen to a clip:

  • When the Sea Turned to Silver

    by Grace Lin, narrated by Kim Mai Guest

    Magic and reality meet in this story of shy Pinmei and her quest to rescue her grandmother Amah, captured by the emperor and his soldiers. Listeners will cheer Pinmei along on her mission as Kim Mai Guest’s narration reflects Pinmei’s growth from a timid, quiet girl to a brave, strong adventurer.

    Listen to a clip:

  • Flying Lessons and Other Stories

    edited by Ellen Oh, narrated by Dion Graham, Samantha Quan, Meg Medina, Julia Whelan, Adam Lazarre-White, Tim Tingle, Abigail Revasch, Sunil Malhotra, Kwame Alexander, Dominic Hoffman

    The team behind We Need Diverse Books has produced an anthology packed with lively stories from standout children’s authors, and a winning ensemble of narrators brings the collection to life. Every listener will find stories they can relate to and opportunities to exercise their empathy. If your kid isn’t already hooked on short stories, this collection will be a great introduction to their magic.

    Listen to a clip: