Audiobooks for developing listeners: June is Audiobook Month (ages 4-9)

As children start developing their attention span, try listening to longer stories. I've found that many children love listening to engrossing stories--remember that children's listening comprehension is often two years above their reading level. This means that preschoolers are ready to listen to the early chapter books that 1st graders read.

As we head into summer, spend some time trying out audiobooks, listening together with your children. June is Audiobook Month, and as part of that celebration I'm sharing my favorite audiobooks all week. Make sure you see the giveaway at the bottom of the post.

Early chapter books (ages 4-7): These stories combine humor, friendship and adventure. Mercy Watson makes us laugh with its slapstick humor, and Dory is an utterly lovable rascal. The classic friends Frog and Toad are completely charming as an audiobook collection.

• Mercy Watson, by Kate DiCamillo
• Dory Fantasmagory, by Abby Hanlon
• Frog & Toad, by Arnold Lobel
• Juana & Lucas, by Juana Medina
• Magic Tree House, by Mary Pope Osborne

Developing listeners (ages 7-9): Our 2nd and 3rd graders in Berkeley love listening to longer stories at school and at home. Some like listening and reading together, taking in the story with both their eyes and their ears. Others like just listening and letting the story develop in their mind.

Magic and imagination is a constant theme with these books. As you listen to Toys Go Out, you'll start wondering what happens to your toys when you're gone for the day--do they have a secret life all of their own? The Wild Robot follows Roz as she finds herself stranded on an island far from any humans. As any robot would do, she sets out to make herself useful and tries to be a good friend to the animals.

• Toys Go Out, by Emily Jenkins
• The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown
• Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures, by Jackson Pearce & Maggie Stiefvater
• James and the Giant Peach, by Roal Dahl
• Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel, by Nikki Grimes

Do you have any other favorites for children who are starting to listen to longer stories? Please let me know your favorites, so I can add to my list!

Every day this week, I will share audiobooks for different ages. I'm also happy to offer a giveaway sponsored by the Audio Publisher’s Association June in Audiobook Month celebration. Winners will receive a pair of earbuds and 3 free audiobook downloads from Audiobooks.com! There’s an easy entry form at the bottom of this post.

Click the Rafflecopter form below for an easy entry. Enjoy listening and sharing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The review copies come from my personal and school libraries. If you make a purchase using the Amazon links on this site, a small portion goes to Great Kid Books. Thank you for your support.

©2017 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books