I recently professed my love for audiobooks and listed a few of my favorites for adults (with a few kids’ chapter books mixed in). Now, however, my kids have become completely obsessed with the audio versions of their favorite picture books and ask to listen to them ALL THE TIME in the car. Here’s a quick tutorial on buying books from Audible (you don’t’ have to subscribe!) and a list of our favorites — all under $2.
Buying individual books from Audible
You’ve all seen the commercials for Audible or have at least heard of it and know it’s an audiobook subscription service. What you might not know is that you can buy audiobooks from Audible without a subscription — or you can buy them individually without using your monthly credit.
Amazon owns Audible, so you can search Amazon for your favorite books and buy audiobooks directly through Amazon. When you look at a book product page, you’ll usually see hardcover, paperback, Kindle (ebook) or Audible versions. Click on the Audible version, and it’ll give you an individual price or allow you to use a credit if you’re an Audible member.
Once you buy your audiobook, just download the free Audible app, create an account (or sign in with your Amazon account), and all the audiobooks you’ve bought will appear in your library. Then you can download them straight to your phone and listen to them anywhere.
Bonus: If you have an Amazon Echo Dot, you can ask Alexa to play your audiobooks in any room! Grab the physical copy of the book (if you have it), plop your kids down on the couch, and let them flip through it while the book plays over the speaker. It’s a fantastic way to help your kids recognize the words and learn to read or just entertain them while they’re playing with something else.
Five favorite children’s audiobooks under $2
The Three Little Pigs by James Marshall. My kids have listened to this at least 20 times, and this is the first one they ask for in the car. If you only buy one book, buy this one. The narrator is fantastic and does an amazing wolf voice. He even wheezes convincingly when he’s trying to blow down the house. I laugh every time he says “Colossal!” Just buy this one. Trust me.
Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard. If you haven’t read this classic about a teacher who teaches her class to behave by disguising herself as the evil Ms. Viola Swamp, you’re in for a treat. My kids always ask to listen to this one, and it’s fun to relive a book I loved as a child.
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. I don’t ever remember reading this one when I was little, but my kids have loved it ever since their teacher read it to them at preschool. If you’re not familiar with the story, a bunch of monkeys steal the caps from a peddler while he naps under a tree. He tricks them into giving them back when he realizes they imitate everything he does.
Red Riding Hood by James Marshall. Many of James Marshall’s books are really affordable on Audible, and this one is just as fun as The Three Little Pigs. The narrator is great, especially with Granny’s voice, and my kids love that Red Riding Hood and Granny jump back out of the wolf’s tummy when the woodcutter comes because the wolf “didn’t even bother to chew.”
Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola. I loved this book as a kid, and I’m delighted that this is also one of my kids’ favorites. The narrator does all the voices (the surprised nun voice always makes me laugh), and the Italian music playing in the background and bubbling sounds from the pasta pot make it even more special. We listen to this one a lot.
There are many other classic audiobooks available on Amazon/Audible, but these are the ones currently on repeat. They are absolutely worth the money, too. Where else can you spend $10 and get instructional entertainment for your kids that you’ll love, too?
Do you buy Audible audiobooks for your kids? I want to hear your favorites!
