Family-Friendly Audiobooks
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (Read by Graeme Malcolm)
(Book on Cd, Playaway) Running time: Approx. 3.5 hours
Summary: This tale has all the key elements of a classic adventure - suspense, damsels in distress, villains, bravado, and heroes. Desperaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, is in love with a princess named Pea, music and stories. Join Despereaux and his two unlikely friends, a servant girl who longs to be a princess and a devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin, as they embark on a fantastic journey. This beautiful story has a poignant moral about accepting differences and embracing who you are. Ages 6+
The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney (Read by Hal Hollings)
(Book on CD) Running Time: Approx. 2.5 hours
Summary: This lovely story is told from the view of Humphrey, a big hearted classroom pet hamster. On weekends, Humphrey takes turns going home with students in his classroom and school staff members. These weekend adventures reveal surprising stories and situations that give Humphrey and his human caretakers the opportunity to learn from one another. Humphrey helps us see that first impressions are not always accurate, people are multifaceted, and you can't really understand a person until you see all aspects of his/her life. Ages 6+
Henry Huggins by Beverly Clearly (Read by Neil Patrick Harris)
(Book on CD, Playaway) Running time: Approx. 2.5 hours
Summary: When Henry adopts Ribsy, a dog of no particular breed, humorous adventures follow. Neil Patrick Harris narrates this delightfully funny book. He'll have you laughing, giggling, and begging for the next chapter. If your family can't get enough of Henry and Ribsy's silly adventures, make sure to check out other books in the Henry Huggins Series. Ages 8+
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (Read by Jim Dale)
(Book on CD) Running Time: Approx. 8.5 hours
Summary: In this wonderful tale, a young boy named Harry is rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle. So begins a great adventure of a boy that must prove his worth and live up to a great destiny. Narrator, Jim Dale, does Rowling's unforgettable characters justice in this wonderful audiobook. Ages 8+
Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Read by Nick Podehl, Kate Rudd, and Diana Steele)
(Book on CD, Playaway) Running Time: Approx. 8 hours
Summary: Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with extreme facial abnormalities and was not expected to survive, goes from being home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a private middle school in Manhattan. Sadly, Auggie experiences taunting and is rejected by some of his classmates. Can Auggie convince his classmates that he is just an ordinary kid despite how he looks? Ages 8+
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (Read by Adam Grupper)
(Book on CD, Playaway) Running Time: Approx. 4 hours
Summary: When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life. The One and Only Ivan is based on a true story of a silverback gorilla that was raised by humans and sold when he became too large. Ages 8+
How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell (Read by David Tennant)
(Book on CD, Playaway) Running Time: Approx. 3.5 hours
Summary: You will laugh along with this uproariously funny audiobook. This story shares the adventures and misadventures of a young Viking boy that is embarking on a journey to prove that he should be a part of his Viking clan. Unfortunately, he isn't exactly heroic Viking material. Can he pass the important initiation test of catching and training a dragon? Ages 8+
The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex (Read by Bahni Turpin)
(Book on Cd) Running Time: Approx. 10.5 hours
Summary: Join 11 year old Gratuity Tucci, a turncoat alien, and a cat on a wild and hilarious adventure. Gratuity finds herself on the run from invading space aliens while in search of her mother that has been abducted. The narrator, Bahni Turpin, truly brings the characters and all their quirky humor to life in this audiobook. Ages 9+