It may be better for them to actually read but it doesn’t hurt to mix things up a little bit.  If the children have never listened to audio books it’s probably smart to test the waters with some free kids’ audio books you can download. Could add a little bit of variety that might keep their interest in reading. Here are some great places to start.

HighlightsKids - non-downloadable, listen online via the flash player on the site.

Kids Audio Books – can be downloaded in MP3 format. Large list, including some old favorites like Dumbo and The Ugly Duckling.

WiredForBooks Kids Corner – a bunch of Beatrix Potter books.

Kiddie Records – lots of books from the golden age. Very nice and large collection. Available as downloads or to listen online.

Light up your brain

Alvie the little brown burro – unique story about Alvie

Playtime books – MP3 collection

Speakabooks

Stroyline Online – books read by the members of the Screen Actors Guild

Starfall – there’s more than audio books on this site. While there are some books that are read automatically you can also find books that require clicking to listen as the words are being read out. We like this format.