This list is filled with stories and adventures that the whole family can embark upon together. Olaf and Elmo had us laughing along with their unique brands of humor. We met Hank, an amazing big brother that we want in our corner. We said goodbye to Ivan, who has begun his own journey as a parent. And we immersed ourselves in moving historical fiction from new and familiar authors alike. Dive in and celebrate the rich storytelling that children’s literature offered us this year.
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Impossible Creatures is, in a word, magical. Destined to become a classic, Katherine Rundell’s immersive tale of two kids on a quest to save the world’s magical creatures and the islands they inhabit swept me up and carried me away. It is children’s fantasy at its finest. Narrator Samuel West deftly embodies the characters, further deepening the connection to this rich world and our heroes, Mal and Christopher. —Katie O.
I am a proud Disney adult, so I was beyond excited for the release of this Audible Original. Disney Frozen: Olaf’s Quest perfectly underscores the fun that can be had in children’s audiobooks. Olaf, Anna, Kristoff, and Sven are on a quest to the “sea of stories,” and hear plenty of fun ones along their journey. Olaf the bibliophile was an adventure and storyline I didn’t know I needed, and the immersive full-cast experience will make you feel like you’re in Arendelle with all of your favorite characters. —KO
It's hard to believe that the time has come to say goodbye to Ivan, everyone’s favorite gorilla. For the past decade, Katherine Applegate’s beloved series has both entertained us and made us think about how we can be better friends to the natural world around us. In the finale, once again performed by Adam Grupper, we cheer on Ivan as he becomes a father and navigates the joys and worries that come with that responsibility. Thank you, Katherine, for the gift of this series and the gift of Ivan! —KO
Who knew that my family’s favorite road-trip companion would become a red-furred muppet? My boys love hearing about all the adventures that Elmo and his friends on Sesame Street get up to (including Oscar, Abby, and more), and have definite Elmobile-envy! Ready, Set, Ride with Elmo is great fun for the littlest listeners in your life, and has all the charm you’d expect from the Sesame Street gang. —KO
The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science is as delightful as the title implies. SNL alum Kate McKinnon infuses her first children’s book with her signature zany humor and smarts. Performed by Kate and her sister Emily Lynne, Millicent Quibb is about three misfit sisters who are more interested in being mad scientists than proper young ladies. Warm, wacky, creative, and magically performed, I may have loved Millicent Quibb even more than my kids did. —KO
Doris Kearns Goodwin has been a beloved presidential historian for decades—and for the first time, she’s adapted one of her bestselling works of nonfiction into a format suitable for young listeners. This accessible guide explores the qualities of four presidents—Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson—to showcase what it means to be a good leader. Performed by a cast of narrators including Dion Graham, Rufus Jones, Christian McKay, Graham Sibley, and Goodwin herself, it’s the perfect primer on presidential history. It's interesting, informative, and enjoyable for both children and adults. —Michael C.
Anne Frank’s diary is one of the most intimate and iconic accounts of life under Nazi occupation, made all the more memorable by its author’s undeniable bravery at such a young age. However, before the war uprooted her narrative, Frank enjoyed life as an average child would, which is the focus of this tender middle grade novel. Bestselling author Alice Hoffman gorgeously captures the sensitivity and youthful curiosity innate to Frank’s writing that made her “the voice of the Holocaust” for so many readers. Narrator Mara Wilson makes the story’s fantastical omens of encroaching terror soar from the page, elevating this entry point into one of history’s darkest corners. —Haley H.
Drawing inspiration from author Violet Duncan’s own Kehewin Cree and Taino ancestry and family history, Buffalo Dreamer is a short but impactful listen that explores the terrible legacy of American and Canadian residential schools. Narrated by Cree performer Ashley Callingbull, this National Book Award finalist offers an incredibly honest lesson about the painful truths, history, and traumas of First Nations Canadians and Native Americans. Through 12-year-old Summer, Duncan rises to the difficult task of explaining the horrific history in an age-appropriate manner that never minimizes the impact of the past, and still remains hopeful for an equitable and just future. Despite the heavy and serious subject matter, Duncan also manages to deliver a sweet and gentle celebration of Indigenous cultures and identities. —MC
Set in 1999 in the lead-up to Y2K, Erin Entrada Kelly’s The First State of Being is a nostalgic trip down memory lane for many adult listeners. The elements of time travel, friendship, found family, and love all come together to make this a touching introduction to not only the Y2K scare but also to methods for coping with feelings of anxiety that’s perfect for younger listeners. Beautifully performed by Ramon de Ocampo, The First State of Being is an exhilarating and clever blend of time travel, science fiction, and coming-of-age tale in a world that’s rapidly changing—and all of the grief, anxiety, and bullying that can often accompany such big changes. —MC
Gennifer Choldenko has created an unforgettable character in 11-year-old Hank Hooperman. When Hank’s mom doesn’t come home one day, he takes care of his younger sister, Boo. But when the secret becomes too much to hide, telling the truth comes with big-time consequences. Hank, movingly performed by Javier Prusky, is the ultimate big brother. Grab your tissues before you hit play, and prepare to relentlessly root for these characters. —KO
