Biography & Memoir Audiobooks

She Persisted: Malala Yousafzai

Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger comes a chapter book series, adapted for audio, about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Malala Yousafzai! Growing up as a girl in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai had to fight every step of the way to get an education. After she was attacked for doing so, Malala took her fight to the world stage, pushing for the right to an education for every girl, everywhere. Her activism earned her a Nobel Peace Prize and inspired girls and women everywhere to stand up for their own rights too. In this chapter book biography by bestselling and award-winning author Aisha Saeed, readers learn about the amazing life of Malala Yousafzai--and how she persisted.    Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton and a list of ways that readers can follow in Malala Yousafzai's footsteps and make a difference!   And don't miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Coretta Scott King, Oprah Winfrey, and more!

Aisha Saeed, Chelsea Clinton (Author), Deepti Gupta (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Rent Collector: Adapted for Young Readers

Based on true events. Sang Ly lives at Cambodia’s city dump and is grateful she can help earn a living for her family by sifting through the trash for recyclables and things that can be repaired and sold. On a good day, she can earn enough to buy food for her family. She needs enough good days so she can pay the rent collector, Sopeap—a grumpy old woman who shows no mercy and who is willing to evict any tenant who can’t pay their rent on time. When Sang Ly is unable to pay her rent for the month, she fears her family will have to leave the dump and their shanty home, a place where her only possessions can be carried in two hands. Little does she know that a discarded children’s book found among the mounds of trash would save her. When Sopeap sees the book lying on Sang Ly's cardboard bed, her mood changes. Sang Ly offers her the book if she is allowed to keep her family at the dump. An unlikely friendship develops between the two women, and Sang Ly learns that Sopeap knows how to read—something that Sang Ly has always wanted to learn. Being able to read could transform Sang Ly’s world beyond the predictable confines of the dump and lead to a future with possibilities and hope. But the rent collector has a secret and tragic past, one that will not be easy for Sang Ly to navigate. With the help of her supportive husband, Ki Lim, and a helpful and humorous boy, Lucky Fat, Sang Ly embarks on a life-changing journey to give her young son, Nisay, a better life and future. The Rent Collector is about the power of literacy, the influence of the past, and finding hope, resiliency, and empowerment in the face of seemingly endless hardship.

Camron Wright (Author), Emily Woo Zeller (Narrator)

Audiobook

Playwrights and Authors: Ladybird Audio Adventures

Brought to you by Ladybird. Follow our fearless adventurers Cassandra (and Missy, the smartest bird in the universe) as they set out on their next action-packed Ladybird Audio Adventure! On this adventure we're going to meet literary legends throughout history! These audiobooks help children learn about their environment on a journey of discovery with narrators Ben Bailey Smith (a.k.a. Doc Brown, rapper, comedian, and writer) and Sophie Aldred (best known for her role as Ace in Doctor Who). Ladybird Audio Adventures is an award-winning original series for three to seven-year-olds; an entertaining and engaging way for children to learn about the world around them. Special stories written exclusively for audio so little ones can become their own adventurers with fun sound and musical effects that are perfect for listening at home, before bed and on long journeys. Have you listened to all our Ladybird Audio Adventures? Dinosaur Times The Human Body Outer Space Deep Sea Dive The Animal Kingdom Ancient Egypt Ancient Rome Incredible Inventors Lake, Lochs, and Rivers Volcanoes This Ladybird story was written by Donna David. (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Tbd (Author), Sophie Aldred (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sporting Heroes: Ladybird Audio Adventures

Brought to you by Ladybird. 'We could visit every sporting event in history. Watch every athlete of every ability, and we'd see the same thing - determination and spirit and an ability to keep on going boldly, no matter what obstacles life puts in the way.' Follow our fearless adventurers Cassandra (and Missy, the smartest bird in the universe) as they set out on their next action-packed Ladybird Audio Adventure! Grab your trainers, because on this adventure we're going to meet some of the world's most famous sporting heroes! Let's race with Sir Lewis Hamilton, witness the winning team of 1966, rally with Billie Jean King and witness some incredible records being broken! These audiobooks help children learn about their environment on a journey of discovery with narrators Ben Bailey Smith (a.k.a. Doc Brown, rapper, comedian, and writer) and Sophie Aldred (best known for her role as Ace in Doctor Who). Ladybird Audio Adventures is an award-winning original series for three to seven-year-olds; an entertaining and engaging way for children to learn about the world around them. Special stories written exclusively for audio so little ones can become their own adventurers with fun sound and musical effects that are perfect for listening at home, before bed and on long journeys. Have you listened to all our Ladybird Audio Adventures? Dinosaur Times The Human Body Outer Space Deep Sea Dive The Animal Kingdom Ancient Egypt Ancient Rome Incredible Inventors Lake, Lochs, and Rivers Volcanoes This Ladybird story was written by Dom Conlon. (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Tbd (Author), Sophie Aldred (Narrator)

Audiobook

Artists: Inspiring Stories of the World's Most Creative Minds

Meet the cool creatives behind awe-inspiring art, with this non-fiction ebook for kids. Pour paint onto a canvas with Jackson Pollock, laugh along with the pranks of Hokusai, and find beauty in your self-portrait with Frida Kahlo, as you follow the stories of more than 50 fabulous artists and their groundbreaking work. Through charming storytelling rich in detail, Artists covers celebrated figures as well as lesser-known trailblazers, each with a tale as intriguing as it is unique. From cat connoisseur Louis Wain and pattern fanatic Yayoi Kusama, to eye-obsessed Margaret Keane, who won a court paint-off to prove her husband had passed off her work as his own - the artists in this book have all used their creativity and complexity to make powerful art that has enriched and inspired the lives of many. These groundbreaking pieces range from those whose beauty keeps you coming back for more, to some that might change your worldview. Beautiful descriptions of the artists' lives are brought to life through stunning watercolour illustrations by Jessamy Hawke and fantastic photography highlights the detail of their work. © 2022 Susie Hodge © 2022 DK Audio

Susie Hodge (Author), Laura Brydon (Narrator)

Audiobook

Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest

2022 Green Earth Book Award Winner NSTA/CBC Best STEM Book John Burroughs Association Riverby Award Honorable Mention, Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award This picture book biography tells the story of Meg Lowman, a groundbreaking female scientist called a 'real life Lorax' by National Geographic, who was determined to investigate the marvelous, undiscovered world of the rainforest treetops. Meg Lowman was always fascinated by the natural world above her head — the colors, the branches, and, most of all, the leaves and mysterious organisms living there. Meg set out to climb up and investigate the rain forest tree canopies — and to be the first scientist to do so. But she encountered challenge after challenge. Male teachers would not let her into their classrooms, the high canopy was difficult to get to, and worst of all, people were logging and clearing the forests. Meg never gave up or gave in. She studied, invented, and persevered, not only creating a future for herself as a scientist, but making sure that the rainforests had a future as well. Working closely with Meg Lowman, author Heather Lang and artist Jana Christy beautifully capture Meg's world in the treetops. 'Meg Lowman or 'Canopy Meg' is a true hero, a courageous explorer, who made amazing discoveries high in the forest canopy. The Leaf Detective captures the magic of that little-known world with its clear, informative text and fabulous illustrations. Young readers everywhere will be fascinated and inspired to learn more about nature.' —Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and Pioneer of Peace “Margaret Lowman is a pioneer scientist in a discipline that demands exceptional imagination, courage, and physical rigor. But of equal importance, she has created an extraordinarily important branch of environmental and conservation research. Heather Lang and Jana Christy, in this charming introduction, have invited us to climb on up and visit her.” —Edward O. Wilson, Pulitzer Prize winner and Professor Emeritus, Harvard University

Heather Lang (Author), Sandy Rustin (Narrator)

Audiobook

C is for Charlemagne: A Historic Alphabet

Did you know there was once a knight-king who named his sword “Joyous”? Did you know he suffered from insomnia? Did you know he had an archnemesis among the Saxons? Explore a series of beautiful historic images while meeting Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor, through twenty-six fascinating, giggle-worthy, alphabetized parts of his life.

History Unboxed (Author), Caleb Hauris, Elizabeth Hauris (Narrator)

Audiobook

Recuerdos inolvidables: Relatos costumbristas

Todos llevamos recuerdos de familiares, amigos o mascotas, la intención de este pequeño libro, más allá de querer regresar el tiempo, pretende enamorar a sus lectores con pequeñas historias que incluyen una dosis de costumbres, cultura y vivencias en el corazón de México. Esperamos que lo disfrutes.

Luis Rivera (Author), Andrés Zuluaga, Carolina Abril, Lisxmary Heras, Luis Rivera, Marcela Duran, Marisa Espinoza (Narrator)

Audiobook

I am Dolly Parton

The legendary country musician, reading advocate, and philanthropist Dolly Parton is the 28th in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series for ages 5 to 8, adapted for audio. This audiobook spotlights Dolly Parton, known for her beloved country songs, who has also sent over 150 million free books to children through her Imagination Library.    This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big. Included in each book are:    • A timeline of key events in the hero's history    • Childhood moments that influenced the hero    • Facts that make great conversation-starters    • A character trait that made the person heroic and that readers can aspire to  You'll want to collect each entry in this dynamic, informative series!

Brad Meltzer (Author), Alison Fraser, Angel Pean, Bailey Carr, James Fouhey, Maggie-Meg Reed, Mark Sanderlin, Oliver Wyman (Narrator)

Audiobook

I am I. M. Pei

The world-renowned architect I. M. Pei is the twenty-fourth hero in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series, adapted for audio. This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great--the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of an icon in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers and that always includes the hero's childhood influences. This book features I. M. Pei, the award-winning Chinese American architect whose projects include the John F. Kennedy Library and the pyramid at the Louvre.

Brad Meltzer (Author), Caroline Mclaughlin, Catherine Ho, Feodor Chin, Francois Chau, Graham Halstead, James Sie, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Rob Shapiro (Narrator)

Audiobook

Coming to England

The 25th anniversary edition of Baroness Floella Benjamin's classic memoir, Coming to England. With a foreword by the author and some additional historical information, this is the incredible story of Floella's journey from Trinidad to London, as part of the Windrush generation, to the House of Lords. It is gloriously illustrated throughout by Joelle Avelino, perfect for readers aged 9+. Floella Benjamin was just a young girl when she, her sister and two brothers arrived in England in 1960 to join their parents, whom they had not seen for fifteen months. They had left their island home of Trinidad to make a new life in London – part of a whole generation of West Indians who were encouraged to move to Britain and help rebuild the country after the Second World War. Reunited with her mother, Floella was too overwhelmed at first to care about the cold weather and the noise and dirt from the traffic. But, as her new life began, she was shocked and distressed by the rejection she experienced. She soon realized that the only way to survive was to work twice as hard and be twice as good as anyone else. This inspirational story is a powerful reminder of how courage and determination can overcome adversity.

Floella Benjamin (Author), Floella Benjamin (Narrator)

Audiobook

Black in Time: The Most Awesome Black Britons from Yesterday to Today

Brought to you by Puffin. Hiya! Alison Hammond here! I love getting to know all about different people and I'll tell you a secret . . . sometimes people we don't know much about are the most interesting of all! Which is really what this book is all about. Let me ask you a question: How many Black people can you name from our history? Mary Seacole? Ira Aldridge? George Bridgetower? Pablo Fanque? Walter Tull? Have you heard of these people? Yes? That's great! But if you haven't, don't worry, you're not alone, which is why I'm so excited to tell you all about them. Because the people in this book should be totally famous given the AMAZING things they've done! And we're not going to stop in the past, I'll introduce you to people making waves right here and now! From sportspeople to scientists, activists to musicians, politicians to writers, we're going to meet a whole bunch of AWESOME people who have helped shape the world we live in. So, are ready for you a journey Black in time?? Course you are, let's go! © Alison Hammond 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Alison Hammond, E. L. Norry (Author), Alison Hammond, Daniel Reid-Walter, Natalie Simpson (Narrator)

Audiobook