Best Children's Audiobooks 2026: Our Top 10

After the War: From Auschwitz to Ambleside

"Master storyteller Tom Palmer returns with a deeply moving and beautifully told novel of friendship and belonging, inspired by the incredible true story of the Windermere Boys. 'The best children’s fiction book I’ve yet read about the Holocaust' – Tim Robertson, CEO Anne Frank Trust Summer 1945. The Second World War is finally over and Yossi, Leo and Mordecai are among three hundred children who arrive in the English Lake District. Having survived the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps, they've finally reached a place of safety and peace, where they can hopefully begin to recover. But Yossi is haunted by thoughts of his missing father and disturbed by terrible nightmares. As he waits desperately for news from home, he fears that Mordecai and Leo – the closest thing to family he has left – will move on without him. Will life by the beautiful Lake Windermere be enough to bring hope back into all their lives?"

Tom Palmer (Author), Joe Jameson (Narrator)

Audiobook · 3 hrs 7 mins

How Winston Delivered a Christmas Wish

"Join Winston the mouse as he sets out on another irresistible Christmas adventure! A Christmas mystery written in 24-and-a-half-chapters. The perfect Christmas gift for children who are ready to start reading by themselves. From beloved children's author-illustrator Alex T. Smith comes How Winston Delivered A Christmas Wish. Full of gorgeous colour artwork and Christmassy activities, this third Winston adventure is sure to become a Christmas classic to be enjoyed year after year. Winston is looking forward to Christmas at home with Oliver on Mistletoe Street. There are to be NO ADVENTURES AT ALL this year. But when an elderly tortoise finds a lost letter addressed to a girl who lived on Mistletoe Street seventy years ago, Winston knows he has to act. Helped by old friends and new, Winston sets out on a magical adventure to snowy New York – but how can one small mouse find someone in a strange new town where everything is larger than life? Winston is determined to find out but, once in Manhattan, his job is made more difficult when he realises that some shadowy foes are after him! Includes crafting decorations, making Christmas food, discovering Christmas traditions from around the world and so much more! How Winston Delivered a Christmas Wish is a heartwarming illustrated story by Alex T. Smith, bestselling author of the Claude and Astrid and the Space Cadets series for younger readers."

Alex T. Smith (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook · 3 hrs

Watership Down

"One of the most beloved novels of our time, Watership Down is an epic journey, a stirring tale of adventure, courage, and survival. Fiver could sense danger. Something terrible was going to happen to the warren; he felt sure of it. They had to leave immediately. So begins a long and perilous journey of survival for a small band of rabbits. As the rabbits skirt danger at every turn, we become acquainted with the band, its humorous characters, and its compelling culture, complete with its own folk history and mythos. Fiver’s vision finally leads them to Watership Down, an upland meadow. But here they face their most difficult challenges of all. A stirring epic of courage and survival against the odds, Watership Down has become a beloved classic for all ages. Both an exciting adventure story and an involving allegory about freedom, ethics, and human nature, it has delighted generations with its unique and charming world, winning many awards and being adapted to film, television, and theater."

Richard Adams (Author), Peter Capaldi (Narrator)

Audiobook · 17 hrs 30 mins

The Nowhere Emporium

"When the mysterious Nowhere Emporium arrives in Glasgow, orphan Daniel Holmes stumbles upon it quite by accident. Before long, the 'shop from nowhere' and its owner, Mr Silver, draw Daniel into a breath-taking world of magic and enchantment. Recruited as Mr Silver's apprentice, Daniel learns the secrets of the Emporium's vast labyrinth of passageways and rooms - containing wonders beyond anything Daniel has ever imagined."

Ross Mackenzie (Author), Monty d'Inverno (Narrator)

Audiobook · 5 hrs 45 mins

A Poem for Every Day of the Year: A beautiful poetry collection for the whole family to share

"A Poem For Every Day of the Year is a magnificent collection of 366 of the greatest poems in the English language, compiled by the award-winning poetry curator Allie Esiri. The collection is passionately narrated by Helena Bonham Carter and Simon Russell Beale, with introductions read by Allie Esiri and contributions from Damian Lynch and Peter Forbes. Reflecting the changing seasons and linking to events on key dates - funny for April Fool's Day, festive for Christmas - these poems are thoughtful, inspiring, peaceful, energetic, upbeat, motivating, and empowering! Perfect for listening to with all the family, this collection is bursting with familiar favourites and exciting new discoveries. T.S. Eliot, A.A. Milne, John Keats, William Shakespeare and Christina Rossetti sit alongside Seamus Heaney, Wendy Cope, Maya Angelou and Kae Tempest. An ideal, accessible introduction to poetry, this soul-enhancing audiobook will keep you company every day of the year. 'If you feel as though your life is lacking a bit of poetry, this is an excellent place to start' - Best Poetry Books of the Year, The Times"

Allie Esiri (Author), Allie Esiri, Damian Lynch, Helena Bonham Carter, Peter Forbes, Simon Russell Beale (Narrator)

Audiobook · 11 hrs 7 mins

The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, Book One)

"This Special Edition of The Hunger Games includes the most extensive interview Suzanne Collins has given since the publication of The Hunger Games; an absorbing behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the series; and an engaging archival conversation between Suzanne Collins and YA legend Walter Dean Myers on writing about war. The Special Edition answers many questions fans have had over the years, and gives great insight into the creation of this era-defining work. In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Still, if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love."

Suzanne Collins (Author), Tatiana Maslany (Narrator)

Audiobook · 10 hrs 35 mins

War Horse 40th Anniversary Edition

"DISCOVER AND CHERISH THIS BEAUTIFUL HARDBACK 40th ANNIVERSARY ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THE BELOVED MODERN CLASSIC, WAR HORSE. Before the Steven Spielberg film, before the National Theatre production, there was the classic children’s novel… In the deadly chaos of the First World War, one horse witnesses the reality of battle from both sides of the trenches. Bombarded by artillery, with bullets knocking riders from his back, Joey tells a powerful story of the truest friendships surviving in terrible times. One horse has the seen the best and the worst of humanity. The power of war and the beauty of peace. This is his story. With a stunning new cover from fine arts photographer, Nine Francois and chapter illustrations from award-winning war artist, George Butler. War Horse was adapted by Steven Spielberg as a major motion picture with Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, and Benedict Cumberbatch. The National Theatre production opened in 2007 and has enjoyed successful runs in the West End and on Broadway."

Michael Morpurgo (Author), Luke Treadaway (Narrator)

Audiobook · 3 hrs 44 mins

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

"The New York Times No.1 bestselling YA crime thriller that everyone is talking about! THE WINNER OF THE BRITISH BOOK AWARD'S CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020 SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE 2020 The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it. But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the crime, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth … ? Perfect for fans of One of Us Is Lying, Gone Girl, We Were Liars and Riverdale Holly Jackson started writing stories from a young age, completing her first (poor) attempt at a novel aged fifteen. She lives in London and aside from reading and writing, she enjoys playing video games and watching true crime documentaries so she can pretend to be a detective. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is her first novel. You can follow Holly on Twitter and Instagram @HoJay92"

Holly Jackson (Author), Clare Corbett, Jot Davies, Kristin Atherton, Luke Poli, Olivia Forrest (Narrator)

Audiobook · 12 hrs 56 mins

The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List

"Brought to you by Puffin. The Christmasaurus is back! Get ready for the magical NEW festive adventure from bestselling author, Tom Fletcher! You know about the Naughty and Nice List, right? Santa's top-secret tracker that he ALWAYS checks twice? Well, this year, the Christmasaurus is on a mission to track down children who have found themselves on the Naughty List to help them put wrongs to rights, naughty to nice! This is a story about mischievous kids learning the error of their ways, but it's also about sharing the true spirit of Christmas and realising that sometimes things aren't quite as they first appear... Everyone loves The Christmasaurus! 'Redemption, magic and gleeful silliness' - The Observer 'Genius' - The Sun 'Grown-up readers will love reading this charming, heart-warming book aloud' - The Daily Express © Tom Fletcher 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021"

Tom Fletcher (Author), Paul Shelley, Tom Fletcher (Narrator)

Audiobook · 6 hrs 15 mins

A Christmas Adventure

"The Burpee Bears are back in this glorious new picture book from #1 bestselling author Joe Wicks! The Burpee Bears are always ready, steady for a fun family adventure – especially at Christmas time! While they count down the days until Granny Bear visits, the little bears enjoy building a snow bear, making snow angels and going ice skating together. But on Christmas Day, there is so much snow that Granny Bear can’t get to their house. It won’t be a proper Christmas without her – so, with the help of their sledge, the Burpee Bears are soon ready, steady with a plan to take Christmas to Granny’s house! With fabulous exercises and festive recipes, this fun and feel-good book is bursting with Joe Wicks energy and is perfect for all the family to enjoy together! Created by Joe, with the story co-written with acclaimed author Vivian French."

Joe Wicks (Author), Joe Wicks (Narrator)

Audiobook · 13 mins

LoveReading4Kids Top 10 Audiobooks for Children - November 2026