When fall is in the air, autumnal scents tickle your nose, cool breezes glide over your skin, and juicy apples tempt your taste buds. Let these fall audiobooks give you and your kids something cozy to listen to on the drive to school, the pumpkin patch, or an afternoon at the corn maze.
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Notes
Finding audiobooks: If your library doesn't have an audiobook you want, you can usually get an Audible deal with two free audiobooks here. Alternatively, you can get 2 free audiobooks when you sign up with Libro.fm. Plus, Libro.fm supports independent bookstores (you can even choose your local book store to support!).
Note on listening ages: Books are in a very rough order of listening age. Mostly it's the first three that are best for younger kids and the last two that are best for the oldest; everything in the middle mushes together in terms of age recommendations.
Audiobook Recommendations
The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen, narrated by Fairuza Balk
I adore the weirdness of this tale. On a dark night, Otilla meets a talking skull who becomes her friend. Otilla aims to protect Skull from a headless skeleton that pursues him every night. More oddball than spooky, Klassen's wry humor is fun to listen to. This is a quick audiobook you can get through on the drive to and from school. 22 minutes.
MORE: Halloween Audiobooks
Skunk and Badger (series) by Amy Timberlake, narrated by Michael Boatman
Badger lives alone in his aunt's brownstone. He spends his days doing Important Rock Work. But one day, his peace is disturbed when Skunk shows up, informing him that he is Badger's new roommate. Badger is none too happy about this and is determined to rid himself of Skunk. Hilarity ensues and lots and lots of chickens make an appearance. Will Badger and Skunk eventually become friends? 2 hours 56 minutes.
The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame, read by Anton Lesser
It was so much fun to listen to this short and charming novel! A boy befriends a poetry loving dragon in the caves near his village. When the rest of the villagers learn of the dragon, they assume he is a threat and enlist St. George to rid them of the beast. Instead the boy, dragon and St. George successfully conspire to bring everyone together and show the villagers that their prejudice is misplaced. 53 minutes.
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket, narrated by Tim Curry, etc.
This audiobook is so delightful with its sound effects, music, and full cast performance. The Baudelaire children, upon learning that their parents have perished in a fire, are delivered into the hands of the evil Count Olaf who is determined to get a hold of their fortune. The narrator consistently reminds the reader that this book is filled with depressing events and has an unhappy ending (all in good fun of course) so be prepared! 2 hours 29 minutes.
The Enchanted Files trilogy by Bruce Coville, full cast recording
I couldn't pick just one book in this trilogy. Each one is so funny, and will have your kids in stitches. The Diary of a Mad Brownie (formerly titled Cursed) is about a tidy Brownie and a messy tween try to break a curse that binds them together for eternity. Hatched follows the hilarious trials and tribulations of a griffin who struggles to live up to the griffin code of conduct. Finally, Trolled is about a seven foot troll trying to remain anonymous in New York City. Lengths vary.
MORE: Funny Audiobooks
Confessions of an Imaginary Friend: A Memoir by Jacques Papier by Michelle Cuevas, narrated by Michael Goldstrom
This is a great example of how a children's novel can be hilarious, and deeply touching and thought-provoking. The story is told from the point of view of an imaginary friend who goes through an existential crisis when he finds out he is imaginary. He goes on a soul-searching journey as he is assigned to different real-life friends, and makes the acquaintance of other imaginary friends, even joining a support group. One of the most unique books we've listened to and the narrator does an excellent job with the humor and different voices! 3 hours 2 minutes.
The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, multicast narration
Evan's adventure begins when he takes two books from a Little Free Library. He and his friend Rafe decide to uncover the mystery of how the town's former library burned down, and was never replaced. Told from the point of view of three characters–Evan, Mortimer the cat, and Al the ghost librarian–families will enjoy this heartwarming tale about uncovering truth and the joy of books. 4 hours 15 minutes.
The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd, read by Kate Simses
Emma gives tours of the local graveyard in her Tennessee town. Emma is part of a long line of women who have a "destiny dream," all of which are recorded in a special book. Emma is eagerly awaiting her own dream and hopes it will help her resist the greedy developer who wants to take over her family's bakery, the Boneyard Cafe. Lloyd brings a contemporary folktale-like flavor to her writing. 5 hours 14 minutes.
Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson, read by Irene Bedard
I love any book rooted in folklore, and this is no exception. In this page-turner, Hopson tells the Iñupiaq Messenger Feast origin story. Piŋa has grown up with the knowledge that his two brothers vanished on the mountain which he must now climb to collect obsidian. On the mountain he meets the eagle god, Savik, who presents him with an impossible choice. Pinja chooses to become Savik's captive, setting him on a journey that is terrifying but teaches him valuable lessons. 4 hours 58 minutes.
MORE: Books Inspired by Mythology
The Fairy Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm series) by Michael Buckley, narrated by L. J. Ganser
This series could not be more fun! Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, descendants of the famous Brothers Grimm, live with their grandmother in Ferryport Landing. The entire series is filled with wonderful, reimagined fairy tale characters and madcap humor. In this first book, the sister must solve the mystery of why a giant is on the loose in the town. 6 hours 9 minutes.
MORE: Favorite Middle Grade Fairy Tale Retellings
Impossible Creatures (series) by Katherine Rundell, narrated by Samuel West
When Christopher finds a baby griffon, his grandfather tells him about the Archipelago, a place filled with magic and that their family guards the passageway to that world. In the Archipelago, he meets Mal, a girl pursued by danger who joins him on a hair-raising journey to discover magic is disappearing and how they can save it. Brilliant. 8 hours 54 minutes.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (series) by Joan Aiken, narrated by Lizza Aiken
I loved this classic book as a child, and as an adult I love the alliterative title (I'm weird that way). It takes a talented author like Joan Aiken to turn what could easily be a predictable, gothic plot into an exciting, suspenseful tale. Two cousins persevere against all odds when they are thrown under the protection of rather sinister guardian with the Dickensian name of Miss Slighcarp. 4 hours 48 minutes.
MORE: Thanksgiving Audiobooks
Mascot by Charles Waters & Traci Sorrell, multiple narrators
Callie, who is African-American and a Cherokee citizen, is paired with classmate Franklin, who is Black, to work on an assignment that debates the “Pros and Cons of Indigenous Peoples as Mascots.” Callie is deeply disgusted by the school's racist mascot, but Franklin feels differently. The story is told from seven different perspectives, written in verse and free of judgement, allowing readers to consider all points. This would be an excellent book for use in a classroom. 3 hours 5 minutes.
MORE: Nonfiction Audiobooks for Kids
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera, narrated by Frankie Corzo
This is a great choice for families with teens. In this dystopian novel, colonization ships carry select humans away from Earth to build a new life. During the journey, colonists are put in stasis and their minds reprogrammed by the "Collective." When she wakes, Petra Peña is the only one who remembers life on Earth. Petra is determined to escape the Collective and help others remember. A powerful story you won't want to press pause on. 8 hours 33 minutes.
MORE SEASONAL AUDIOBOOKS:
- Spring Audiobooks for Families
- Christmas Audiobooks for Kids and Families
- A Year of Family Audiobooks - 2 selections for every month!
EM says
My daughter is loving the audio books these days! We recently listened to Ghost by Jason Reynolds, read by Guy Lockard. Highly recommend the audio book as the narrator is exceptional. We all (11yo daughter, husband, and me) enjoyed it.
Erica says
Thanks for the suggestions! Ghost is such a great book! Glad to hear your family is enjoying audiobooks. 🙂