Reading books with your child is an incredibly powerful way of supporting your child’s learning. We’ve put together a list of stories that are available as audiobooks (one for each day of the week) that we think make for great listening. The lists are divided into stories appropriate for 3-5 year olds and stories more appropriate for children aged 6+.

We’ve also created some guidance for parents about reading together at home with young children.

For preschoolers (3-5 years)

Stories for Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Monday: Listen to Sarah Silverman read A Tale of Two Beasts by Fiona Roberton (7 mins) at https://www.storylineonline.net/books/tale-of-two-beasts/

Tuesday: Listen to Katrina Moore (author) read One Hug (7 mins) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3_3IPZmZT4

Wednesday: Listen to Miss Sofia read Wacky Wednesday by Dr. Suess (19 mins) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b653k3-_wIM&feature=emb_rel_end

Thursday: Listen to Miss Laura read Here we are by Oliver Jeffers (5 mins) at https://www.readbrightly.com/brightly-storytime-here-we-are/

Friday: Listen to Michael Ian Black (author) read I’m Bored (10 mins, with an easy and engaging art demo by illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd3jyzCkvDc

For older children (6 years +)

Monday: Listen to Serena Auñón-Chancellor (an astronaut) read Luciana: Braving the Deep by Erin Teagan (11 mins) at https://www.storylineonline.net/books/a-bad-case-of-stripes/

Tuesday: Listen to Mac Burnett (author) read chapter 1 of Kid Spy: Mac Undercover (7 mins, other chapters available) at  https://www.instagram.com/p/B-GGuu_nk9M/

Wednesday: Listen to David Walliams read Humbert the Hungry Baby (20 mins, part of David’s daily “Elevenses” story readings) at https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses-catch-up/

Thursday: Listen to Cressida Cowell read chapter 1 of How to train your dragon (10 mins) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWhNzQUfmSE&list=PLE5MZB5pedUMNJLdgu0wYaSlL0dRLHcU0&index=2

Friday: Click on a map to hear Daniel Errico (author) read a section of Gnarble’s World and try to solve the puzzle of the hidden treasure (12 sections, each 1-2 mins), at https://daniel-errico.squarespace.com/gnarble

By Dr Vicki Hargraves

PREPARED FOR THE EDUCATION HUB BY

Dr Vicki Hargraves

Vicki runs our early childhood webinar series and also is responsible for the creation of many of our early childhood research reviews. Vicki is a teacher, mother, writer, and researcher living in Marlborough. She recently completed her PhD using philosophy to explore creative approaches to understanding early childhood education. She is inspired by the wealth of educational research that is available and is passionate about making this available and useful for teachers.