5 Sweet Audiobooks to Engage Young Listeners: Best New Audiobooks for Ages 4-6+
AudioFile for The Children’s Book Review
Best New Audiobooks for Ages 4-6+
Each of this month’s audiobooks for children make for captivating listens, whether they are whimsical explorations to the moon—or are about eating the moon! All five audiobooks have beautifully illustrated picture books that can be read in tandem with listening, but they stand on their own with talented narrations & lively music to accompany the stories. AudioFile editors have chosen these 5 sweet audiobooks to engage young listeners from ages 4-6 and up and their families.
Shy Willow
Story by Cat Min
Read by Vico Ortiz
Ages 4+ | Dreamscape | Length: 15 mins. | Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award
Narrator Vico Ortiz’s angelic voice brings a magical quality to this sweet story that is an especially encouraging listen for shy children. Shy Willow lives in an abandoned mailbox. When a little boy deposits a letter for the moon, Shy Willow decides to deliver it. Ortiz captures Shy Willow’s quiet, kind nature, as well as her determination, as she bravely sets out to find the moon. A twinkle of melodies and sound effects creates a daydreamy atmosphere for Shy Willow’s adventure. Review »
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Eyes That Kiss in the Corners
Story by Joanna Ho
Read by Natalie Naudus
Ages 4+ | OrangeSky Audio | Length: 4 mins.
Natalie Naudus narrates with a welcoming warmth that suits this sweet and affirming audiobook, which is enhanced with gentle music. A Taiwanese girl notes that her eyes are different from the big, round eyes of her classmates. But then she recognizes that her eyes mirror her mother’s, her Amah’s, and Mei Mei’s and that they all have eyes that “kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea,” just like their ancestors. Her joy at recognizing and celebrating those similarities is palpable in Naudus’s narration. Older and younger siblings alike will feel her pride as the girl realizes her toddling younger sister looks up to her with those same bright eyes. Review »
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Milo Imagines the World
Story by Matt de la Peña
Read by Dion Graham
Ages 4+ | Listening Library | Length: 8 mins. | Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award
Narrator Dion Graham conveys the dreamy quality of Milo’s imaginings in his captivating delivery of this thoughtful children’s story. Anxious Milo imagines and sketches the stories of the passengers on the subway. When a well-dressed boy disembarks at the same stop that he does, Milo realizes that his imaginings about him are incorrect and that the conclusions that he drew about other passengers may have been wrong, too. Graham’s voice embraces listeners and immerses them in Milo’s thoughts, and he turns this meaningful story into a heartfelt listening experience. Review »
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A Big Mooncake for Little Star
Story by Grace Lin
Read by Emma Lysy
Ages 4+ | Hachette Audio | Length: 4 mins.
Playful music and Emma Lysy’s cheerful narration animate this brief but thoroughly enchanting audiobook. The whimsical story unfolds as Little Star can’t resist slipping out of bed every night to nibble on the delicious mooncake that her mother baked and hung in the sky to cool. In a story reminiscent of trickster folklore, Little Star’s mischievous nibbling slowly diminishes the big, round mooncake in an imaginative allegory of the phases of the waning moon. Grace Lin’s Caldecott Honor award-winning picture-book illustrations can provide a stunning visual complement. Review »
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Seven Special Somethings
Story by Adib Khorram
Read by Adib Khorram
Ages 4+ | Listening Library | Length: 7 mins.
Author Adib Khorram gives a gentle and friendly narration of his picture book celebrating Nowruz, the Persian new year. Young Kian wonders whether he can add anything else to his family’s haft-seen, the table set with seven special items starting with the letter “S” that will bring happiness in the new year. But when he tries to add their cat Sonny to the haft-seen, predictable mayhem occurs. Sound effects help to fill in the scenes for listeners, and an author’s note at the end explains more about Nowruz traditions. This is a sweet and inclusive family listen. Review »
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The article 5 Sweet Audiobooks to Engage Young Listeners was curated by AudioFile. AudioFile is an independent source of audiobook reviews and recommendations with a clear focus on the performance and listening experience. AudioFile Earphones Awards are given to exceptional audiobooks. To learn more, visit audiofilemagazine.com, Twitter @AudioFileMag, and Facebook @audiofilemagazine.
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