HomeDiscoverChildrens articles10 audiobooks for a listen-aloud adventure10 audiobooks for a listen-aloud adventureby Puffin team·min read·Image: iStock New to audiobooks? Get started with this list of 10 tales that include some well-loved classics. They’ll make reading a listen-aloud adventure! Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (1964) A wonder for all ages, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of Roald Dahl’s best-loved stories. Join Charlie as he wins a golden ticket to visit Willy Wonka’s extraordinary chocolate factory, where he encounters a memorable cast of characters including gluttonous Augustus Gloop, spoilt Veruca Salt, and Wonka’s tangerine helpers, the Oompa Loompas. Youngsters will be delighted by this delicious tale of candy and chaos forever. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down by Jeff Kinney (2016) Double Down is the 11th instalment in Jeff Kinney’s bestselling series featuring Greg Heffley, our unlikely videogame-obsessed hero. With Halloween just around the corner, Greg discovers a video camera in his basement and decides to make a scary movie. But, will his plans of getting rich and famous merely lead to more trouble? Young listeners will love this funny and brilliantly-told story and are sure to want to get stuck into the rest of the series if they haven’t already done so. The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy (1974) Prepare to be spellbound by Jill Murphy’s classic story involving Mildred Hubble, the disaster-prone trainee witch at Miss Cackle’s Academy of Witches. Entertainingly read by the wonderful Gemma Arterton, this amusing tale of magical mayhem is sure to capture everyone’s imagination. The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl (1978) Enter the stupendous world of Roald Dahl with this entertaining story about a greedy and very hungry crocodile, who’s on a mission to eat unsuspecting children. Thankfully, the scheming croc’s plans are continually foiled by a host of jungle animals, including Humpy Rumpy the Hippopotamus, Trunky the Elephant and Roly-Poly Bird. Told with Dahl’s characteristic wicked humour, children will be compelled to explore more of his stories. The Complete Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis (1950) C.S. Lewis’ mesmerising stories come to life in this audiobook edition. Read by an exquisite cast including Fiona Shaw and Timothy Spall, this collection will be enjoyed by both parents and children alike. Stories include the unforgettable classics, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Silver Chair, and are guaranteed to enchant children of all age groups. The astonishing world of Narnia will stay with you long after the stories have been listened to. Middle School: Dog’s Best Friend by James Patterson (2016) Join popular underdog Rafe Khatchadorian in this hilarious unabridged audiobook that young fans of James Patterson’s acclaimed series will adore. This instalment sees our protagonist devising a money-spinning, dog-walking plan to make some extra cash for his family. Business is booming until two terrible twins launch the Great Dog War in order to sabotage Rafe’s entrepreneurial venture. Children will appreciate this story about the trials and tribulations of growing up. Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl (1970) A timeless adventure, Fantastic Mr Fox tells the story of a cunning fox who outsmarts the wicked local farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean in order to feed his family. Easy to follow and bursting with ingenious descriptions, children will be entertained from beginning to end. This is a triumphant and clever tale of bravery and survival. Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan (2015) From the author of the Percy Jackson series comes the best-selling story of Magnus Chase, a teenage orphan living rough on the streets of Boston. When Magnus turns 16 he discovers the amazing truth that his long-lost father is, in fact, a Norse God. As a war involving immortal Gods looms, Magnus is instructed to find his father’s sword that has been missing for 2,000 years. This is a fast-paced mythological adventure packed with astonishing beasts and battles; bound to thrill. The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop by Clare Balding (2016) Meet 10-year-old Charlie Bass who has long dreamed of owning her own horse. When she finally gets one, the magnificently named Noble Warrior, there’s just one problem: he’s too nervous to gallop. In order to stop the family farm from being repossessed, Charlie puts her hope in Noble Warrior and aims to win the local derby. Narrated by author and racing-expert, Clare Balding, The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop is a heart-warming and funny tale for all equine-mad children. Dragons at Crumbling Castle by Terry Pratchett (2014) This is an unabridged collection of 14 short stories by master storyteller Terry Pratchett. The title story features an unlikely hero, a little boy called Ralph, who dons a suit of armour and embarks on an adventure to defeat the dragons who have invaded Crumbling Castle. These are fun and thrilling tales of knights, mythical creatures, and wizards, and will be treasured by fantasy-loving kids.
