Picture Books that Jump off the Page as Audiobooks 

The first book about the Plaza Hotel’s most famous resident was published in 1955, and 70 years later, kids of all ages still enjoy reading about her mischievous shenanigans. As a rules-following child, I remember being secretly envious of Eloise’s boldness. Starring Broadway legend Bernadette Peters in a laugh-out-loud performance, this collection of four Eloise stories was an Audie Award Finalist for Young Listeners. A lush musical accompaniment at just the right places adds to the zany fun. 

From AudioFile: “The incomparable Bernadette Peters consistently expresses the singular voice of Eloise—with its curious mix of pseudosophistication and youthful verve.” 

What’s old is new again! The humorous narration by popular author Mac Barnett plus the whimsical sound effects and pleasant musical background turn this 19^th-century folktale into a 21^st-century audiobook classic. Although intended for very young kids, I could see this being a hit for the college crowd, too. 

From AudioFile: “Mac Barnett completely charms in this delightful fairy-tale retelling. Young listeners will giggle at Barnett’s growly voice for the troll . . . Seek out the print book to appreciate Jon Klassen’s illustrations, but they’re not necessary to fully enjoy this winning audio presentation.” 

Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo states in her author’s note that she is a “self-professed” dreamer who wrote this book as a gift to every reader “whose imagination deserves to fly and soar  
. . . and dream big.” Her narration is soothing at times, empowering at other times, and always strikingly beautiful. I think this audiobook works better without the illustrations because it encourages the listener to create their own vision of their own dreams.  

From AudioFile: “Erivo’s calming voice and steady pacing offer the perfect balance for this bedtime tale . . . The music is peaceful, and even in Ebere’s most excitable dreams and adventures, it never rushes, and the sounds never overpower the tranquil tone of the book.” 

How lucky are preschoolers that Goosebumps author R.L. Stine turns his attention to little kids here? Very lucky! And luckier still because this amusing monster book is narrated by Jack Black. Yes—that Jack Black! In only seven minutes, Black energetically introduces a wide variety of growling, snacking, sneezing, stinky monsters. A playfully eerie musical score and yucky sound effects make this a book your child will likely listen to over and over and over. 

From AudioFile: “With high animation, actor Jack Black calls directly to the listener: “Pssssst—hey, YOU! Are you afraid of MONSTERS? . . . His elocution is precise, and he relishes expanding upon each word with, for example, a gravelly growl or a slurping munch.” 

I quickly fell in love with this new but fairytale-esque story of an everyday female hero. Evergreen is a young squirrel who is afraid of many things—loud noises, new people, swimming, and thunderstorms. Young readers will relate to her fears and cheer her on as she bravely confronts them when entrusted by her mother to bring a healing magical soup to Granny Oak. 

From AudioFile: “The musicality of Helen Day’s voice combined with her British accent provides an enticing entry into Buckthorn Forest. Day excels in conveying Evergreen’s growth on her journey as she overcomes dangers and obstacles . . . and even begins to have some fun.” 

Winnie-the-Pooh has been a part of the “culture of childhood” since 1926. This recent audiobook version is an absorbing way for children to meet Christopher Robin, Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo for the first time. With 10 stories told over three-plus hours, this is a perfect title to enjoy at bedtime for several nights in a row. (My favorite parts all involve Eeyore!) Narrator Barbara Rosenblat captures each of the characters’ voices and personalities without being superficially sweet. For full immersion, I encourage you to pair this with a print edition to see Ernest Shepard’s acclaimed original illustrations. 

From AudioFile: “This collection of short stories will linger in the hearts and minds of all listeners . . . Rosenblat’s tender performance is paced perfectly for young children.” 

A brand-new audio favorite that is the perfect combination of a clever text, a versatile narrator, and a sound design that is both eerie and silly. From the first moments when a spooky-ish musical theme underscores the narration, listeners will be captivated by the deliciously quirky story of a young girl who sets out to beautify a house that’s “rejected and excluded with no one to love it.”  

From AudioFile: “Elizabeth Knowelden’s vibrant performance sparkles in a fantastically fun story that celebrates uniqueness . . . The only drawback? This sparkling audio experience is so short, you’ll wish it would last longer.”  

Bilingual children’s audiobooks are uncommon, so My Town / Mi Pueblo is an important addition to the growing catalog of children’s audiobooks. Although only a few minutes long, it packs in a lot of content in English and Spanish about what it’s like to be part of a loving family living on opposite sides of a U.S./Mexico border town.  

From AudioFile: “Narrators Ana Isabel Dow and Oscar Emmanuel Fabela narrate a heartwarming story that will delight listeners as their voices exude joy and warmth.”  

Sometimes there seems to be only one choice for the “best” narrator, and this is a prime example of that. American troubadour Tom Chapin reads and sings this remake of the popular children’s song, Over in the Meadow, in his quintessential folksy style, where the rhymes slip off his tongue as smoothly as the warm morning sun rises above the swamp. If you enjoy this, also try these other Chapin audiobook gems: There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly and Fox Went Out On a Chilly Night: An Old Song. 

From AudioFile: “Chapin is understated and unhurried in his narration. For dramatic effect, he elongates phrases . . . for consideration of the rich language . . . The production includes a track of Chapin singing the story, accompanying himself with various instruments, and a glossary of swamp inhabitants.”   

The print version of this biography of primatologist Jane Goodall won many awards, and the audiobook version is just as special. It is a concise and motivating peek into how adult heroes all started out as kids—”just like you, little listeners,” it makes clear. The varied orchestral music in the background is a rich character itself, carefully matched to both the action and the emotion conveyed in the narration.  

From AudioFile: “Katherine Kellgren’s rhythmic delivery tracks the adventures of young Jane and her stuffed monkey, Jubliee. Kellgren’s reading is bright as Jane scurries into the garden, dragging the chimp behind her.”  

This is the only book on this list that includes real children in the audio production, so it earns several extra gold stars for that from me. Whether you’re an adult or a child listener, hearing the call-and-response between author/narrator Amy Krouse Rosenthal and her young friends is joyful, especially because the theme of the book is friendship. The upbeat music adds to the giggles. I recommend gifting this effervescent story to every preschooler you know. 

From AudioFile: “The marriage of story and audio presentation is outstanding.”  

Don’t we all know some Seuss by heart? I encourage you to join funny men Jason Alexander, Michael McKean, David Hyde Pierce, and an (uncredited!) Kelsey Grammer as they lend their voice talents to some of the most inventive rhymes ever composed. Strangely, the all-time favorite, The Cat in the Hat, is not listed in the book’s description, but I promise it’s there!  

From AudioFile: “Dr. Seuss would delight in this presentation of his work . . . Tone and inflection are spirited and full of the lightness that one imagines Seuss himself would use when giving voice to his characters. Playful musical interludes and sound effects add just the right emphasis and zaniness.”