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)

Monday: Listen to Gavin Rutherford read Greedy Cat by Joy Cowley (2 mins) at https://storytime.rnz.co.nz/book/greedy-cat/

Tuesday: Listen to Eamonn Holmes read Oh no George! by Chris Haughton (5 mins)at https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/have-some-fun/storybooks-and-games/oh-no-george/

Wednesday: Listen to Amanda Noblett read Things in the Sea are Touching Me! by Linda Jan Keegan (5 mins) at https://storytime.rnz.co.nz/book/things-in-the-sea-are-touching-me/

Thursday: Listen to Debbie Ridpath Ohi (illustrator) read Naked by Michael Ian Black (4 mins) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdf2otKYEzk

Friday: Listen to Serena Auñón-Chancellor (an astronaut) read Ada Twist Scientist by Andrea Beaty from the International Space Station (10 mins) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7TLqqct42M

For older children (6 years +)

Monday: Listen to Anne McClain (an astronaut) read Ada Lace, Take Me to Your Leader (Part 1) by Emily Calandrelli with Tamson Weston from the International Space Station (22 mins, with Part 2 and Part 3 also available) at https://storytimefromspace.com/ada-lace-part-1/

Tuesday: Listen to Sam Copeland (author) read Charlie Changes into a Chicken (Chapters 1-3, 23 mins, other chapters available) at https://www.youtube.com/user/puffinbooks1

Wednesday: Listen to Jennifer Martin read 1+1=Hundreds by Raewyn Murray (8 mins) at https://storytime.rnz.co.nz/book/11hundreds/

Thursday: Listen to David Walliams (author) read Harry, Who Never Ever Did his Homework or Brian Wong Who Was Never, Ever Wrong (around 20 mins each, part of David’s daily “Elevenses” story readings and change every Sunday) at https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses-catch-up/

Friday: Listen to Greg James and Chris Smith (authors) read Kid Normal (Chapter 1, 15 mins, 24 chapters in total, 6 hours) at https://stories.audible.com/pdp/B07533YSBN?ref=adbl_ent_anon_ds_pdp_pc_pg-1-cntr-0-1

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.