Best New Audiobooks for Picture Book Lovers
AudioFile for The Children’s Book Review

This month’s selection of titles is for the youngest audiobook listeners. AudioFile’s editors have included a new recording of the beloved classic by the late Eric Carle, THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR, which also features a special read-along track of Carle’s own narration. Young listeners will delight in the sounds of the sea in FARAWAY THINGS and will be captivated by Lupita Nyong’o’s beautiful narration of her audiobook SULWE. Children who love exploring history through biographies will find PAPER SON an engaging listen—and OUTSIDE, INSIDE will remind children that they are living through a historical time, too. Each story can be enjoyed on its own or can be paired with its picture book for an immersive experience.

This audiobook includes two equally delightful versions of the late Eric Carle’s classic story. The first version is brought joyfully to life by narrator Kevin R. Free with vivid sound effects and music. Kids will laugh out loud as the hungry young caterpillar audibly chomps, crunches, and crinkles its way through all kinds of food until it is full. The second version is a special read-along track of Carle narrating slowly and simply in a gruff, friendly voice with a slight German accent. Listeners will definitely want to view the iconic illustrations as they hear the story. Review »

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Faraway Things

Story by Dave Eggers

Read by William DeMeritt

Ages 4+ | Hachette Audio | 11 mins | Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

William DeMeritt’s narration is an evocative experience that transports listeners to an isolated, rocky shore. The sounds of the sea set the scene for Lucian’s adventures. DeMeritt captures Lucian’s childish timbre as he engages in play with a cutlass, one of the “faraway things” he found washed up on the shore. The ship’s captain who has lost his cutlass has a voice of authority when he questions the absence of a light in the lighthouse and offers Lucian a swap that benefits them both. Children who have access to the print edition’s illustrations will have a feast for the ears AND the eyes. Review »

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Academy Award-winning actor Lupita Nyong’o beautifully presents her fictional story. Young Sulwe is the darkest member of her family, and listeners sympathize as she longs for lighter skin. Nyong’o’s delivery of Sulwe’s sweet, youthful voice and her mother’s comforting tone is flawless. After Sulwe has a dream about dark and light sisters—Night and Day—she realizes the beauty and importance of them both. Sound effects such as African drums and original music by Justin Ellington enrich the story. Review »

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In a youthful, gentle voice, narrator Anastasia Nguyen imagines various world communities during the time when almost everyone went inside to protect their communities from the COVID-19 virus. Sound effects and music enhance this gentle audiobook and provide contrast between life outdoors and the new indoor life. Without the illustrations, this audiobook is still a vivid and engaging story, but when paired with the pictures, it becomes an immersive time capsule of a unique moment in history. Review »

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With a calm tone and even pacing, Feodor Chin delivers the story of the 9-year-old boy, Wong Geng Yeo, who immigrated from China to America in 1921 under the false name Look Tai Yow. At school in California, his two names were combined and Americanized to Tyrus Wong. Facing discrimination and economic hardship, he grew up to be an influential though little-known artist at Disney Studios, most well known for creating the iconic backgrounds in Bambi. Julie Leung reads her own author’s note explaining the term “paper son” and the importance of spotlighting the unrecognized contributions of Chinese immigrants. Review »

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The article The Best New Audiobooks for Picture Book Lovers was curated by AudioFile. AudioFile is an independent source of audiobook reviews and recommendations with a clear focus on the performance and listening experience. AudioFile Earphones Awards are given to exceptional audiobooks. To learn more, visit audiofilemagazine.com, Twitter @AudioFileMag, and Facebook @audiofilemagazine.

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