10+ Best Audio Books for 6-8-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to entertain and educate your young ones? Look no further! Our guide to the best audio books for 6-8-year-olds is packed with engaging stories that capture the imagination and foster a love for listening. Whether you're on a long car ride or just looking for a daily reading alternative, these audio books offer a wonderful experience for your kids. Keep reading to discover our top picks for audio books that will delight any 6-8-year-old listener!

Fun Audio Books for 6-8-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte writes messages in her web to persuade the farmer to spare him.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches about friendship, love, and the cycle of life, making complex themes accessible and engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and stories about friendship.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A little girl named Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, unlike other giants, does not eat children. Together, they embark on an adventure to stop the man-eating giants.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates the imagination with its creative language and whimsical characters, encouraging a love of reading through fantastical storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Young readers with a big imagination and a taste for adventure.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive girl, but her family mistreats her. At school, she meets a kind teacher and uses her telekinetic powers to overcome challenges.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence and creativity, empowering young readers to believe in themselves and stand up against wrongdoing.
  • Perfect for: Intelligent young readers who feel different or misunderstood and enjoy stories of triumph over adversity.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: This story follows mischievous Peter Rabbit, who disobeys his mother by sneaking into a farmer's garden and experiencing various adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to the consequences of misbehavior in a light and charming way, while also sparking interest in nature and animal behavior.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy animal stories and outdoor adventures.

• Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Siblings Jack and Annie discover a magical tree house filled with books that transport them through time and space on various adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: Each book provides a fun, educational experience as readers learn about history, geography, and culture, encouraging a lifelong interest in learning.
  • Perfect for: Curious young minds who love to learn about different times and places while enjoying magical adventures.

Educational Audio Books for 6-8-Year-Olds

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A clever mouse uses the myth of the terrifying Gruffalo to fend off predators during a walk in the woods, only to encounter the mythical creature itself.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, creativity, storytelling
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a delightful tale that encourages creativity and quick thinking, with engaging rhymes that help develop language skills.
  • Perfect for: Young listeners who enjoy mythical creatures and clever, suspenseful stories.

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Max, dressed in his wolf costume, creates mischief of one kind and another at home and sails away to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, imagination, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of anger, imagination, and coming to terms with one's emotions in a way that's accessible to young children.
  • Perfect for: Kids who have vivid imaginations and sometimes feel misunderstood.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This classic book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a wide variety of foodstuffs before pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, days of the week, food names, life cycle of a butterfly
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines simple learning concepts with charming illustrations, making learning fun and easy.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and early readers who enjoy colorful stories and learning basic concepts.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Beginner Reader
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows another character to convince him to try a plate of delicious green eggs and ham.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming, persistence, trying new things
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhymic text makes it a perfect tool for teaching words and encouraging even reluctant readers to try new things.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting to read on their own and enjoy playful, repetitive texts.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Fiction
  • Synopsis: A gentle bedtime story capturing the process of a little bunny saying goodnight to everything around him.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Routine building, calming techniques before sleep
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a classic bedtime story that helps children wind down at the end of the day with its soothing, rhythmic words.
  • Perfect for: Young children who need a calming bedtime routine and enjoy saying goodnight to their surroundings.

Challenging Audio Books for 6-8-Year-Olds

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a whimsical world full of peculiar creatures and surreal adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative features complex language, word play, and logic puzzles that go beyond typical children's literature.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imaginative thinking and introduces children to sophisticated literary techniques in an engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Creative thinkers and young readers who enjoy exploring fantastical worlds and quirky characters.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophical
  • Synopsis: This tale tells the story of a young prince who travels the universe, gaining insights into human nature through his encounters.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores profound themes such as loneliness, friendship, love, and loss through symbolic storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers deep life lessons wrapped in a simple but powerful narrative, suitable for young readers ready to think about bigger questions.
  • Perfect for: Young philosophers and deep thinkers who are curious about the world and human relationships.

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This novel follows the riverside adventures of Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger in Edwardian England.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features rich, descriptive language and a slow, meandering plot that requires patience and attention to detail.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a charming story that celebrates friendship and the joys of rural life, encouraging appreciation for nature and leisurely storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Nature lovers and young readers who enjoy detailed narratives and exploring the English countryside.

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Historical
  • Synopsis: An imaginative orphan girl, Anne Shirley, is mistakenly sent to live with siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert at Green Gables.
  • Why this book is challenging: The text involves advanced vocabulary and explores complex emotional dynamics and social issues.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes creativity, resilience, and the importance of belonging, providing a role model in Anne who is both relatable and aspirational.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy character-driven stories and those who can relate to or aspire to be like the spirited and imaginative Anne.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: Mary Lennox, a previously unloved and spoiled child, discovers a neglected garden and, through her restoration of it, blossoms herself into a caring person.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of loss, neglect, and redemption, requiring a mature understanding from its readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It illustrates the healing power of nature and friendship, encouraging personal growth and exploration.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are interested in stories of transformation and the therapeutic effects of nature.

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Pippi Longstocking is an eccentric, super-strong girl who lives alone with her horse and monkey, having adventures and flouting conventional norms.
  • Why this book is challenging: Pippi's unconventional approach to life and complex vocabulary present a unique challenge to young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates independence and imagination, showing that being different is a strength, not something to shy away from.
  • Perfect for: Independent thinkers and young adventurers who enjoy humorous stories with a strong, unconventional female lead.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 6-8-year-olds get the most out of their audiobooks, here are some fun and effective exercises to encourage good reading habits. These activities are designed to engage young listeners and enhance their comprehension and enjoyment of stories.

• Listen and Draw
  • What it is: Children listen to a portion of an audiobook and then draw a scene inspired by what they heard.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps children visualize the story, boosting imagination.
  • Tips: Provide a variety of art supplies and encourage creativity without worrying about accuracy.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Before listening to the next chapter, children predict what might happen next.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and engagement with the storyline.
  • Tips: Discuss their predictions after listening to see how closely they matched the actual events.

• Character Voices
  • What it is: Children pick a character from the audiobook and read some lines mimicking the narrator’s voice.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding of character traits and emotions.
  • Tips: Record their voices and play them back for fun and to enhance listening skills.

• Summarize the Story
  • What it is: After listening to a chapter or a significant segment, children summarize the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Boosts retention and ensures they understand the plot.
  • Tips: Keep summaries brief and encourage them to cover key points only.

• Question and Answer Time
  • What it is: Create a set of questions about the audiobook for your child to answer.
  • How it helps: Reinforces information recall and comprehension.
  • Tips: Include both straightforward and thought-provoking questions to cater to different levels of understanding.

These exercises are great ways to make listening to audiobooks an active and enriching experience for young children. They not only enhance the listening experience but also foster a deeper connection with the stories. Give them a try and see how your child's love for audiobooks grows!