Audio Books

Whether as tape, CD or download, audio books present children at various stages in their development with rich experiences. For younger kids they can be great bedtime companions, while kids of all ages find them great boredom busters on long journeys. Here's our current recommendations from amongst the wealth of audio books available, with links to where you can get any you like the sound of. As with the content on all the pages of our site the content on this one will be refreshed and amended as inspiringyourkids.com develops and grows.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

The 7th and concluding instalment in the phenomenally successful series is available to pre-order ahead of publication on July 21st, with Stephen Fry once more providing his very own spellbinding narration as the world's most famous boy wizard navigates more adventurous twists and turns on his way to the final showdown with arch evil doer Voldemort. Available from Waterstones

Double Dose Of Horrid Henry

Miranda Richardson reads eight stories featuring Francesca Simon's gruesome creation Horrid Henry. Six to eight year olds will love hearing the four tales of mischief and mayhem drawn from each of the two books 'Horrid Henry And The Mega Time Machine' and 'Horrid Henry And The Football Fiend'. Available from The Good Book Guide

Wind In The Willows

Alan Bennett portrays each of the characters in his own fantastic style as he reads Kenneth Graham's classic tale of riverbank creatures as Ratty, Mole and Badger battle to control and then help the irrepressible Toad in this BBC radio adaptation. Available from Waterstones

The Cat In The Hat And Other Dr Seuss Favourites

John Cleese and Billy Crystal are amongst the narrators on this nine story celebration of the distinctive and unique storytelling of Dr Seuss. With a running time of two hours this is great audio fun for the seven and unders, with 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas' and 'The Lorax' numbered amongst the titles covered in this avalanche of quirky rhyme. Available as a download from Audible.co.uk

The Story Of Tracy Beaker

This is the complete and unabridged audio edition of Jacqueline Wilson's hugely successful tale featuring the infuriating but loveable ten year old Tracy Beaker, who lives in a Children's Home but very much wants to be part of a family. Funny and thought provoking in turns, this is an eye opening spell binding listen for 8 to 12 year olds from an author whose ability to address social issues in a realistic, touching and humourous way, yet without a hint of earnestness, has deservedly won her both critical plaudits and a large devoted following among young readers. Available from Pickabook

Stories 4 Cool Kids

An hour and a quarter of high quality listening for 4 - 8 year olds is provided here through fourteen simple but highly engaging original stories. Author and narrator Sharri McGarry brings a spectrum of lively characters to life to tell the stories of, amongst others, the boy who takes a crocodile to school and a mum who just happens to come from Mars. Available from Amazon

Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince

With the seventh and final book coming out in July now could be the time for youngsters to reacquaint themselves with the plot developments in JK Rowling's previous instalment by listening to this, the sixth title in the series. Read by Stephen Fry, whose unabridged rendition of the exploits of the world's most famous boy wizard brings the magical world of Hogwarts brilliantly to life, he continues the superb job he has done on the previous five audio recordings which have captured every word told about Harry Potter and his world. Available from Listen2Online

Worst Witch Saves The Day

It's the start of a new term at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, and accident prone Mildred Hubble is determined not to be the worst witch this year. Things start brightly for Mildred and her friends with the news that the dreaded form teacher Miss Hardbroom has been replaced. Yet events start to take a turn for the worse when new teacher Miss Granite poses problems of her own. Author Jill Murphy provides gentle but engrossing fun for 7 to 10 year olds in this and all the other books in the series it is part of. Available from Pickabook

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

Michael York reads CS Lewis's fantastical tale of a set of children's adventures in a magical land populated by fauns, centaurs, nymphs and talking creatures. With the cruel White Witch's rule in full sway only the great lion Aslan can bring freedom. 'The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe' takes its place in the seven volume Chronicles of Narnia series, as the never ending battle between good and evil rages with heroism and friendship challenged by betrayal and plotting. This audio version will be enjoyed by children of seven and up and is available as a download from Audible.co.uk

Private Peaceful

Jamie Glover reads the unabridged version of Michael Morpurgo's stunning novel set in the first world war which will capture the imaginations and hearts of children from nine upwards. At the centre of this deeply poignant tale is Private Thomas Peaceful looking back on his country childhood from the battlefield of Europe, while the effect of events around him come howling to change his life for ever. Over the four and a half hours running time this audio CD perfectly captures the innocence of childhood, the emergence of youth and the tragic impact of war. Available from The Good Book Guide

Favourite Beatrix Potter Tales

Four of the classic animal stories so loved by generations of young children are read over a running time of 60 minutes by Renee Zellweger and a number of the other actors from the recent biographical feature film based on Beatrix Potter's life. Available from Countrybookshop

Pooh Goes Visiting

Superbly produced CD providing some of the most loved adventures of the bear of little brain with Stephen Fry, Jane Horrocks, Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer providing the voices of Pooh, Piglet, Kanga and Eeyore respectively. This is one of a series of four audio books recounting life in the Hundred Acre Wood - watch out for Woozles! Available from Amazon

Silver Fin

Author Charlie Higson will have 8 - 12 year olds enthralled as he reads his own second instalment of the exploits of the young James Bond who, aged 13, sets out to solve the mystery surrounding a Scottish Highland castle. The young super spy must harness all his great ingenuity to discover what lies behind a perplexing series of events in this thrilling adventure. Available from Listen2Online