A quiet bedtime poem that says goodnight to everything in a little room. It runs only a few minutes, so it works as a wind-down at the end of the day, ideally with the print book beside it. Rated 5 on Audible.

Max sails off to the land of the wild things, becomes their king and then heads home to supper. A short listen that holds the attention of small children. Rated 5 on Audible.

The caterpillar eats his way through the week and turns into a butterfly. It teaches counting and the days of the week, and this edition includes a reading by Eric Carle himself.

Gentle stories about two best friends, read by their creator. Each is short and easy to follow, which makes this a nice first step up from picture books. Rated 5 on Audible.

A clever mouse invents a fearsome monster to scare off hungry animals, and then meets him. The rhymes are catchy, and the cast brings the characters to life.

Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Christopher Robin in the Hundred Acre Wood. Peter Dennis reads the original stories with a lot of warmth, and it is a good first longer listen. Rated 5 on Audible.

Classic animal tales about Peter Rabbit and his friends, told by Jim Weiss. The stories are short, so they are easy to listen to one at a time.

Pete is a cool cat who stays calm whatever happens. These short, upbeat stories suit kids just starting to read and are a light, fun listen.

The friendship between Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider. White reads it himself, which gives it a quiet, personal feel that suits the story. A good first chapter book. Rated 5 on Audible.

A brilliant girl with dreadful parents and a terrifying headmistress discovers she has special powers. Kate Winslet gives each character a distinct voice, and it is both funny and satisfying. Rated 5 on Audible.

Charlie wins a golden ticket and a tour of Willy Wonka’s factory alongside some very badly behaved children. Douglas Hodge gives it plenty of energy. Rated 5 on Audible.

Mr. Fox outwits three mean farmers to feed his family. At just over an hour it is a good short listen for younger kids, and Chris O’Dowd reads it with a lot of fun.

Jack and Annie find a magic tree house that takes them back to the time of the dinosaurs. It is short and well paced, and there are dozens of books in the series to keep kids going.

Ramona starts kindergarten full of enthusiasm and gets into trouble in the funniest ways. Stockard Channing brings out the humor, and many kids will recognize themselves.

A mouse born into a human family sets off on a big adventure. It is short and gentle, and Julie Harris reads it with a warm, old-fashioned feel. Rated 4 on Audible.

Mercy is a pig who loves buttered toast, and her rescue of the family turns into a hilarious adventure. It is very short, and the series is a favorite for newer readers.

Junie B. is a feisty kindergartener who gets into trouble on her first bus ride. Lana Quintal reads it with great comic timing. Some parents dislike the word “stupid” in the title, so check it suits your family.

James escapes his dreadful aunts by climbing into a giant peach with a group of oversize insects and sails across the ocean. Julian Rhind-Tutt reads this strange, funny story with great energy. Rated 5 on Audible.

The first book about a boy who learns he is a wizard and goes to Hogwarts. Jim Dale gives every character a different voice, which is why many people see this as the benchmark for audiobooks. Rated 5 on Audible.

Percy Jackson finds out he is the son of a Greek god and sets off on a quest across America. It is funny and fast, and Jesse Bernstein keeps up the pace. The first of a long series. Rated 5 on Audible.

Auggie has a facial difference and starts fifth grade at a mainstream school. Several characters tell the story, and a cast of readers gives each their own voice. A moving listen about kindness. Rated 5 on Audible.

A robot washes up on a remote island and has to learn to survive among the animals. It is gentle, exciting and surprisingly moving, and a good length for a family car ride. Rated 5 on Audible.

Stanley is sent to a camp where boys dig holes all day, and the reason slowly comes out through stories from the past. A clever, funny mystery that hooks kids and adults alike. Rated 5 on Audible.

After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian has to survive alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a hatchet. Peter Coyote’s calm reading adds to the tension. Rated 5 on Audible.

India Opal adopts a stray dog in a Florida trailer park and makes friends all over town. It is warm and funny, and a short, easy listen about friendship and starting over. Rated 5 on Audible.

In 1943 Copenhagen, ten-year-old Annemarie helps shelter her Jewish friend Ellen from the Nazis. A short, powerful introduction to the Holocaust for this age group, read in a quiet, steady voice. Rated 5 on Audible.

Five young dragons raised in a cave are meant to end a war between the dragon tribes. A popular fantasy series for kids who love dragons, with plenty of books to follow. Rated 5 on Audible.

Greg Heffley’s middle-school journal of embarrassing moments and bad ideas. A quick, funny listen and a good way in for kids who are not sure about books. Rated 4 on Audible.

Jess and Leslie build a make-believe kingdom in the woods, and their friendship changes both of them. It is moving and has a sad turn, so it may be best for older kids or a shared listen with a parent. Rated 5 on Audible.

Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly perfect community and learns what has been hidden from everyone. A short, thought-provoking listen that gives older kids a lot to talk about. Rated 4 on Audible.

Four siblings step through a wardrobe into Narnia and meet Aslan and the White Witch. Michael York’s calm, classic reading suits the story, and it is a good start to the Chronicles of Narnia. Rated 5 on Audible.

Bored Milo drives a toy car through a tollbooth into a land of wordplay and puns. The language is clever and full of jokes, and Rainn Wilson is a lively narrator for it. Rated 5 on Audible.

Anne Shirley is an imaginative orphan who arrives at Green Gables by mistake and wins over the whole town. Rachel McAdams brings a lot of charm to this long, comforting listen. Rated 5 on Audible.

Mary Lennox, a lonely orphan, finds a locked garden and brings it, and two other children, back to life. Carrie Hope Fletcher reads it with real warmth. Rated 5 on Audible.

Bilbo Baggins leaves home on an adventure with a wizard and thirteen dwarves. Rob Inglis also sings the poems, and it is a long listen for older kids and the whole family. Rated 5 on Audible.

Meg Murry travels through space and time to rescue her father with the help of her brother and three strange women. A mix of science and fantasy, and a thoughtful listen for older kids. Rated 4 on Audible.