Discover the Joy of Audiobooks

Listening to a story is another wonderful way to enjoy reading.

Audiobooks allow children to discover new authors, explore exciting stories and enjoy books that they might not yet be able to read independently. They can also introduce children to expressive reading, helping them hear how pace, expression and intonation bring a story to life.

Whether your child enjoys listening at bedtime, during a car journey or while following along with a physical book, audiobooks can help make stories part of everyday life.

Where Can We Find Audiobooks?

You don't need an expensive subscription to enjoy audiobooks. There are a range of free and low-cost resources available to families, including local library services, dedicated storytelling websites and audiobook collections.

Explore some of the options below to find something your child might enjoy.

Libby- Borrow Audiobooks for Free

Libby allows families to borrow audiobooks for free using their local library membership. Children can enjoy a wide range of stories, including familiar authors, popular series and exciting new discoveries, all from a phone or tablet.

Explore Libby: Find out how to borrow free audiobooks through your local library.

Storynory – Free Stories to Listen To

Storynory offers a wide collection of free audio stories, including traditional fairy tales and original adventures. Children can listen to stories online and follow the written text as they listen.

Not sure where to start? Try listening to The Three Little Pigs together.

Explore more: Visit Storynory

BookTrust – Stories to Listen To and Enjoy

Discover illustrated stories and storytelling videos to enjoy with your child. These are particularly lovely for younger children who enjoy listening while looking at the pictures.

Try a story: Owl Babies
Explore more: Visit BookTrust's story collection

Oxford Owl – Read and Listen Together

Oxford Owl offers a free eBook library for children aged 3–11, with books for a range of reading abilities and interests. Some books include audio features, allowing children to listen to the story while following the words and illustrations on screen.

Parents and carers can create a free account to explore the collection and enjoy books together at home.

Explore Oxford Owl: Visit the free eBook library.