When my children were younger they would listen for hours to audio books, and quite often the same ones over and over again, they would talk along and sing along with the narrators. What made them like these stories more then others was the voice of the narrator and the catchy tunes that went along with it.

The narrator's voice is so important. This will vary from person to person, so if you can, listen to an excerpt from the audio book to make sure you like the voice. Audio books are often narrated by the author or a professional actor with music and sound effects to go with the story. Some audio books are narrated by a full cast portraying all the characters.

Good, high quality narration brings the stories alive and your children will listen to them over and over again with great pleasure and attention.

Going for a long drive this holiday season by car, bus or plane? Why not take a couple of audio books along for the kids or the whole family. It is sure to keep everyone entertained at least part of the way!

50 Favourite Nursery Rhymes

At bedtime, in the car or just for fun!

In this popular selection are such favourites as Humpty Dumpty, Sing a Song of Sixpence, Hickory Dickory Dock, Hey Diddle Diddle, Little]ack Horner, Polly Put the Kettle On, Mary Mary Quite Contrary, Doctor Foster Went to Gloucester, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Little Miss Muffet, Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, Goosey Goosey Gander, The Queen of Hearts. Boys and Girls Come Out to Play, Oranges and Lemons, Wee Willie Winkie, The House That Jack Built and Little Bo Peep, all of which will thrill a new generation of children.

This exciting series brings to life traditional nursery rhymes with music, sound effects and all the full expertise of the BBC
50 Favourite Nursery Rhymes

Aladdin 4 traditional fairy tales

Aladdin - A wonderful old lamp gives big surprises.

Puss in Boots - A cat changes his owner's life.

Cinderella - A poor girl meets her Fairy Godmother.

Dick Whittington - The lure of riches leads Dick to London.

With music, sound effects and all the expertise of the BBC, these four traditional fairy tales are brought magically to life in full cast recordings, guaranteed to enchant all listeners.
Aladdin

There are so many children's audio books to choose from. First I look for an author I am familiar with, then a catchy title and an interesting description. If I can, I listen to an exerpt from the audio book -is the narrators' voice nice to listen to and appropriate for the type of audio book, is there music or sound effects, is the book read by a cast, do their voices suit the characters.

It is kind of like choosing a book and a movie at the same time, what is it about and who are playing the characters.

Audio books can be unabridged where the book is read word for word, or abridged which means the book has been condensed or shortened.

Berenstain Bears' Stories

11 unabridged books on 2 cd's

One day, Stan and Jan Berenstain were captured by a family of bears.

It was a family of three -- an overenthusiastic Papa whose high opinion of himself was exceeded only by his ability to do silly things (often placing himself in jeopardy from bees, skunks, low-hanging branches, whales, irate farmers, etc.), a wise, steady Mama with a firm grip on reality, and a bright enterprising little boy cub. Berenstain Bears' Stories

Dragon in Class 4, A
When Sam Luckett rescues a young dragon from the bars of the baby swings, he and his companions in Class 4 soon discover that there is only one certainty: with a friend like 'Scales' things can never be the same again!

Described as 'Harry Potter for the under-8s', this best-selling book filled with June Counsel's extraordinary characters is brought superbly to life and features specially written music.

The adventures of Sam and Scales continue in A DRAGON IN SPRING TERM and A DRAGON IN SUMMER.

Dragon in Spring Term, A
The second title of the best-selling series featuring Scales the dragon. For Sam Luckett and his friends in Class 4, spring is a time to do new things. Time to fly in a space rocket, confront a giant, face the scary Frighteners, rescue a princess and meet the oldest dragon ever!

It may not be what their teacher, Miss Green had in mind but with an extraordinary friend like Scales, you can be sure there's more to come.

Dragon in Summer, A
Scales the Dragon brings magic and mayhem to Sam and his friends in Class 4 - unseen by their teacher, Mrs Green. Now it's summer! The third book in this exciting adventure series.

Class 4 meets Scales' new neighbour: a goggle-eyed, two-legged dragon named Why Vern. There is a cruel knight to battle, a daring rescue to perform and the discovery of the hardest word. Class 4 is also taking part in a school pageant of Saint George and the Dragon. Of course, Scales is determined to be at the centre of the action. But his version of the legend has a very different ending. So no-one knows what will happen on the day of the performance!

With a friend like Scales, there just aren't enough hours in the day!

You can find audio books at your local library, at book stores and online. primeaudiobooks is my favourite source. The instructions for downloading are very clear and simple and you don't need extra software. I personally download the audio books and then burn them to a cd so I can bring them in the car. They can also be down loaded to an mp3 player or iPod depending on what system you use and where you want to listen to it.

You can listen to audio books every where and any where! The whole family can listen to audio books in the car for short drives or long drives, or individually on personal mp3 players. When your child is home sick, play an audio book to help them sleep or to keep them entertained. When your child needs a quite time, set them up in a comfy chair witha cd player or mp3 player or ipod. When you are doing crafts or baking or any activity where you can listen to the audio book in the back ground. The possibilities are endless!

Each one of the children's audio books I have listed has been "approved" by my children, who are 10 and 12. The audio books I listed here are their favourites.