Audiobooks: The Smoothie of the Literary World
By: Anita Snyder
I love smoothies. I can cram all manner of leafy greens into a smoothie that I normally wouldn’t eat. It’s a great way to sneak in a little extra nutrition hidden in an icy, cold, fruity treat. Those hidden super nutritious, but otherwise boring, ingredients makes me feel pretty great about having one.
In this way, audiobooks are the smoothie of the literary world. It’s still a book and has all that nutrition and energy for your brain and imagination, but it’s also a fun and entertaining break from the pages. It’s beyond entertaining, it’s fulfilling, gripping, engaging. But they are more than a nutritious snack for your brain, they can be a fun way to pass time, a family bonding experience, and a method of relaxation. Have a struggling reader? Listen to books! The child is still getting the content, but without the stress or pressure to ‘perform’. Have ten minutes in the car at the bus stop? It’s the perfect amount of time to squeeze in a chapter or get through an entire picture book. Hitting the road in the family truckster over spring break? Stock up on audio books and go on an adventure on your way to the adventure.
As a homeschool mom, I have many fond memories of listening to books in the car with the family. When we reached our destination or the end of the book, we had gotten so immersed in the world and characters of the story that we felt like we were saying goodbye to a friend. It’s hard to stop listening! But they are great for making a long ride much more bearable. Not that our kids don’t partake in some screen time, but it’s always nice to change up the entertainment.
Listed below are some of my tried and true favorite audiobooks. My choices were based on listen-ability, where the reader somehow added a special touch to the story. Unlike a giant pile of steamed spinach, these are the audiobooks that left us coming back for more!
If none of these appeal to you, feel free to ask a librarian for suggestions. We are always glad to help!
- Charlotte’s Web written and read by E.B. White
- Because of Winn-Dixie Written by Kate DiCamillo and read by Cherry Jones
- Harry Potter series written by J.K. Rowling and read by Jim Dale
- Junie B. Jones series written by Barbara Park and read by Lana Quintal
- Little House series written by Laura Ingalls Wilder and read by Cherry Jones
- Echo written by Pam Muoz Ryan and read by Mark Bramhall, David de Vries, MacLeod Andrews, Rebecca Soler
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe written by C.S. Lewis and read by Michael York
- The BFG written by Roald Dahl and read by David Walliams
- The Magic Treehouse series written by Mary Pope Osborne and read by Mary Pope Osborne
- Bud, Not Buddy written by Christopher Curtis and read by James Avery