There’s something special about hearing an audiobook together as a family. Whether it’s during cozy time at home or while on a road trip, listening together lets everyone experience the storytelling magic and creates opportunities to discuss the story and performance. Think of it as your own family book club. These recent children’s audiobooks about family and friendship ensure that everyone, kids and caregivers alike, will be thoroughly entertained. Several of these titles are illustrated, so consider following along with the print books while listening.
Magick Hoodoo Child by Amber McBride (Dreamscape, April 7): Hold onto summer a little bit longer with this magical audiobook that will surely inspire an excursion to the garden, backyard, or park. Juniper visits her grandmother’s house for the summer and, as they tend to the garden and make herb-filled mojo bags together, learns about her African ancestors. According to our review, “Janina Edwards conveys Grandma’s wisdom with an earthy and relaxed narration, expressing a clear connection with the natural world, a refuge for both of them.”
Bad Badger: A Family Story by Maryrose Wood (Dreamscape, May 5): This sequel to Bad Badger: A Love Story (Dreamscape, 2025) is full of silly family fun. It follows the further adventures of Septimus, an opera-loving badger, and Gully, a seagull, as they raise their three chicks. Narrator Chris Devon goes all in with his engaging performance, immersing listeners in the quirky chaos. Most crucially, as our review notes, “Gully’s dialogue consists exclusively of ‘Caw,’ and Devon injects impressive variation and emotion into each utterance.” Both Bad Badger audiobooks will inspire lots of laughs.
Found Sound by Meg Wolitzer & Charlie Panek (Listening Library, April 21): Go on an audio treasure hunt with this adventure in which 11-year-old Felix and his neighbor, Marigold, find a mysterious box that sends them on a sound-filled scavenger hunt around their town. Jeff Ebner narrates in a youthful, engaging voice, and our review enthuses, “The inclusion of actual sound effects—an ice cream truck’s jingle, a barking dog, bird song, and more—throughout the audiobook enhances the listening experience.”
Wombat Waiting by Katherine Applegate (Harper Audio, May 5): This novel about Wombat, a stray dog, and Henry, a frightened boy, tackles some heavy topics, including fear, loss, grief, and uncertainty. Still, as our review assures, “Even the darkest moments hold notes of hope and encouragement.” Mara Wilson narrates in “a comforting, inviting tone, whether she’s voicing Wombat or Henry,” and will have “listeners rooting for two lost souls, dog and human, to find each other amid great loss.”
Orris and Timble: Star Stories by Kate DiCamillo (Listening Library, April 7): Narrator Mark Bramhall wraps up the Orris and Timble series with this final audiobook. A rat and an owl share an unlikely friendship, and, in this installment, Timble tries to convince Orris to fly with him. It’s a gentle exploration of fear, trust, and working through feelings. Our review praises Bramhall’s performance, saying that his narration “shows his deep understanding of the characters” and that he “embraces the storytelling tone that has built this series.”
Jennifer Dowell is the audiobooks editor.
