The Best Audiobooks for Preschoolers: Ages 3-5
Whether you’re preparing for a road trip or need a story for your little one to enjoy while you cook dinner, these are the best audiobooks (and my favorites) to recommend to caregivers for preschoolers or children ages 3-5. Plus, audiobooks are an excellent way to jumpstart a child’s vocabulary, pronunciation, and comprehension before Kindergarten. These audiobooks are at least 10 minutes long, so you won’t need to worry about switching books too quickly and can pause/return to them at your convenience.
Best Audiobooks for Preschoolers
The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure
By Doreen Cronin
Narrated by Adam Grupper and Michelle o. Medlin
RunTime: 35 Minutes
These four aren’t usual barnyard chicks; they’re detectives on a mission, and a scaredy squirrel has brought them their first case! The book has short chapters filled with silliness that your little listener will love. Plus, books 2-6 in the series are also available on audio. Available through OverDrive/Libby.
Amazon | Goodreads
The Mercy Watson Collection: Books 1-3
By Kate DiCamillo
Narrated by Ron McLarty
RUNTIME: 1 Hour
Mercy Watson, the porcine wonder and lover of buttered toast, will have listeners squealing with laughter at her hilarious and endearing hijinks. Plus, once your little listener falls in love with Mercy, you can enjoy the audiobooks for books 4-6 from the original series, the picture books A Piglet Named Mercy and A Very Mercy Christmas, and the seven books from the spin-off series, Tales from Deckawoo Drive. Available through OverDrive/Libby.
Amazon | Goodreads
The Adventures of Sophie Mouse:
A New Friend
By Poppy Green
Narrated by Rachel L. Jacobs
RUNTIME: 48 Minutes
In book 1 of The Adventures of Sophie Mouse series, Sophie and her classmates can’t wait to go back to school after winter break until they learn their new classmate is a snake! Can Sophie overcome her fears and befriend the new arrival? A sweet story, perfect for preschoolers about to make the leap to Kindergarten, but also beloved by younger kiddos, including my 3-year-old! Available through OverDrive/Libby.
Amazon | Goodreads
Dory Fantasmagory
By Abby Hanlon
Narrated by Suzy Jackson
RunTime: 55 Minutes
Dory’s older siblings think she’s too young to play with them, but that’s okay. She’ll use her wild imagination and play with her invisible friend, a monster named Mary, instead! Plus, books 2-7 are also available as audiobooks. Available through OverDrive/Libby.
Amazon | Goodreads
James Herriot’s Treasury for Children
By James Herriot
Narrated by Jim Dale
RUNTIME: 2 Hours
These “warm and joyful animal tales” will touch your heart and be cherished by animal lovers of all ages. From springtime to the holidays, these short stories are set throughout the year and read by the renowned English actor Jim Dale. Available through OverDrive/Libby.
Amazon | Goodreads
Frog and Toad Audio Collection
By Arnold Lobel
Narrated by Arnold Lobel
Runtime: 2 Hours
Whether searching for lost buttons, telling silly ghost stories, or eating too many cookies, the adventures of friends Frog and Toad have been capturing hearts for generations. This collection includes all four Frog and Toad books, and the author provides a lovely introduction for each story, indicating which page in the book readers can follow along if they have the books. Available through OverDrive/Libby.
Amazon | Goodreads
The Collected Stories of Winnie-the-Pooh
By A.A. Milne
Narrated by Stephen Fry, Judi Dench, Michael Williams, Geoffrey Palmer, and Jane Horrocks
RUNTIME: 4 Hours
The adorable wit of A.A. Milne is delightful for children and adults alike. This collection of stories from the books Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner is performed by an exceptional cast that will leave you feeling warm and cozy. Believe it or not, my 3-year-old fell in love with Piglet’s adorable audiobook voice and prefers it over the Disney version. Available through OverDrive/Libby.
Amazon | Goodreads
Chooch Helped
By Andrea L. Rogers
Narrated by DeLanna Studi
Runtime: 10 minutes
Little brothers get away with everything! Sissy’s parents always say her little brother, Chooch, is “helping,” but to Sissy, he’s anything BUT helping! The story runs about 3 minutes, followed by a 7-minute Author’s Note, which is best for older elementary students. If you need a quick story or would like to pair it with the Picture book, it’s a great choice. Available through OverDrive/Libby.
Amazon | Goodreads
Charlotte’s Web
By E.B. White
Narrated by Meryl Streep & A Full Cast
Runtime: 4 Hours
The classic tale of Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider is narrated by the incomparable Meryl Streep and the audiobook world’s most talented voices. The story explores friendship, love, life, and death, and doesn’t shy away from the reality of using livestock for food. My 3-year-old still asks for the “pig” book after listening to it, and I noticed some “radiant” words added to her vocabulary as a result! Available through OverDrive/Libby.
Amazon | Goodreads
More Resources for Finding the Best Audiobooks
Notable Children’s Recordings List from the Association for Library Services to Children
Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production from the Association for Library Services to Children
Audie Awards for Young Listeners from the Audio Publishers Association
Amazon Best Sellers for Early Readers
