Appreciating Literature- 20 Favourite Audio Books for Children

Updated: 8/7/2021

All stories have a particular structure. Its structure is its literary elements and are presented to the reader, listener, viewer in a particular way.

STORY STRUCTURE AND ELEMENTS

The narrative text structures are the plot and the setting. The plot is the sequence of events that are linked. The plot is similar to the story-line where the story events are organized in a particular manner. The plot shows the cause-and-effect relationship between the events in a story. Observe the events for the Cinderella story:

Thus, with close examination, a narrative is divided into five parts: an exposition (introduction), the rising action, the climax, the falling action and the denouement (conclusion).

The exposition introduces the characters, especially the main character, the protagonist. it shows how the characters relate to one another,

The rising action starts with a conflict. A conflict could be the death of a character, the loss of something, . The rising actions builds up the events which causes the protagonist to go into motion and to take action. At the climax, the protagonist has goals, but is small problems interferes with the protagonist who has to overcome the problems.

Climax is the turning point, the highest point of the story. This is when the protagonist make a big decision that defines what could happen next and show the protagonist character developing. The climax occupies the middle of the story. At this phrase the audience sees the protagonist and antagonist come in conflict.

Falling action consists of events that lead to the ending. The characters are given the upper hand in resolving their problems

Denouement (or conclusion) is the time when both the antagonist and protagonist have to solve the problems they have.

We suggest you use the narrative organizer in your comprehension exercises.

Theme

In literature, the theme is the main idea of a writing, a novel, short story, or literary work. It is sometimes defined as the moral of a story, though not all stories have a moral. The theme of a story is expressed using characters, setting, dialogue, plot or a combination of all these elements.

Some common themes in literature are:

  1. good vs. evil,
  2. love,
  3. redemption,
  4. courage and perseverance,
  5. coming of age, and
  6. revenge.

Here are some short stories with some of these common themes. example: Animal Farm ( Good vs Evil; Enemy Pie (Coming of age); Winnie the Pooh (friendship); Robin Hood ( Characters strive to right wrong); Guji Guji (revenge).

The Importance of Reading

Reading can be a passive activity. It helps you develop your mind and language skills. The more you read, the better you get at expressing your thoughts accurately so others can understand you. Reading also opens your mind to understanding your world, yourself and your purpose in life.

Also, it helps you develop your critical reading skills. These skills helps you:

  1. Identify relevant and irrelevant information.
  2. Interpret propaganda techniques.
  3. Perceive bias.
  4. Identify adequacy of materials.
  5. Understand reliability of author.
  6. Differentiate facts and opinions.
  7. Separate real and unreal information.
  8. Understand fallacies in reasoning.

Also, reading helps you develop your critical reading skills. These techniques will help you develop this critical reading skill.

  1. Identify relevant and irrelevant information.
  2. Interpret propaganda techniques.
  3. Perceive bias.
  4. Identify adequacy of materials.
  5. Understand reliability of author.
  6. Differentiate facts and opinions.
  7. Separate real and unreal information.
  8. Understand fallacies in reasoning.

There are more information and activities for many of these skills in this lesson.

We encourage you to read everyday. We have also posted a number of audio books for children who visit the site; these books can help them grow to love literature more and more each day. Here are 20 of our favourite books and some other suggestion for children who love to read.

You may also like: Recommended Readings and Ebooks

audio books for children

Here are 20 favourite audio books we enjoy sharing with you and know you will enjoy reading.

  1. The Empty Pot
  2. Grumpy Monkey
  3. No more noisy nights
  4. Enemy Pie
  5. When a Dragon Movies in
  6. Harry the Dirty Dog
  7. A very hungry caterpillar
  8. Hey, that’s my monster
  9. Millions of Cats
  10. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
  11. Guji Guji
  12. Little Red Riding Hood
  13. Stellaluna
  14. Thank you Mr. Falker
  15. Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch
  16. Too Much Glue
  17. The Case of the missing Carrot Cake
  18. A Tale of Two Beasts
  19. To Be A Drum
  20. The Selfish Crocodile

1. The Empty Pot

This author also wrote: Mary

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

2. Grumpy Monkey

Grumpy Monkey is written by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang. Read by Miss Jill.

Other books written by this author:

  1. Grumpy Monkey Party Time!
  2. Grumpy Monkey Up all Night
  3. Grumpy Monkey Monkey Freshly Squeezed
  4. Grumpy Monkey Oh, No! Christmas
book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

3. No More Noisy Nights

Read by Tony Hale; Written by Holly L. Niner and Illustrated by Guy Wolek

Other books written by this author:

  1. Mr. Worry: A story about OCD
  2. I can’t stop! A Story about Tourette’s Syndrome
  3. The Day I Ran Away
book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

4. Enemy Pie

Enemy Pie is written by Derek Munson, illustrated by Tara Calahan King and read by Camryn Manheim.

Buy this on Amazon.

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

5. When a Dragon Moves In

by Jodi Moore , illustration by Howard McWilliam  and read by Mark Duplass. Buy this book on Amazon.

Other books written by this author:

  1. When a Dragon Moves in Again
  2. I Love my Dragon
  3. Good News Nelson
book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

6. Harry the Dirty Dog

By Gene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham and read by Betty White. Buy this book on Amazon

Another book from this author: Harry and the Lady Next Door

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

7. A Very Hungry Caterpillar

A Very Hungry Caterpillar – by Eric Carle (author and illustrator)

Buy this book on Amazon

Another book from this author: Thanks from the Very Hungry Caterpillar

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

8. Hey That’s My Monster!

Hey That’s my Monster! by Amand Noll (author); Howard McWilliam (illustrator)

Buy this in amazon

Other books written by this author:

  1. I Need My Monster
  2. How I Met My Monster
book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

9. Millions of Cats

Millions of Cats” by Wanda Gag

Buy this in amazon

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

10. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

Buy this in Amazon

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

11. Guju Guji

Guji Guji” is written and illustrated by Chih-Yuan Chen and read by Robert Guillaume.

Buy this in Amazon

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

12. Little Red Riding Hood

A Fairy Tale by The Brothers Grimm

Little Red Riding Hood, or Little Red Riding hood, also known as Little Red Cap or simply Red Riding Hood, is a French, and later European fairy tale about a young girl and a Big Bad Wolf.

Download a free version of this classic.

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

13. Stellaluna

Stellaluna is written and illustrated by Janell Cannon and read by Pamela Reed.

Buy this on amazon.

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

14. Thank you, Mr. Falker

Thank you, Mr. Falker is written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco and read by Jane Kaczmarek.

Buy on Amazon

Other books written by this author:

  1. An A From Miss Killer
  2. My Rotten Red Headed Older Brother
  3. Mrs. Katz and Tush
  4. The Keeping Quilt
  5. Holes in the Sky
book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

15.Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch is written by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Paul Yalowitz and read by Hector Elizondo.

Buy on Amazon.

Other books written by this author:

  1. Silly Tilly
  2. We’re Better Together
  3. Miss Fox’s Class Goes Green
  4. The Best Story
  5. The Dancing Pancake
book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

16. Too Much Glue

Too Much Glue read by Ms Joe, written by Jason Lefebvre and illustrated by Zac Retz. Although Matty’s art teacher has warned him that too much glue never dries, Matty loves glue. After all, he and his dad make oodles of glue projects at home. One day during art class, Matty finds the fullest bottles of glue, and the fun begins. 

Buy on Amazon.

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

17. The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake

The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake is written by Robin Newman, illustrated by Deborah Zemke and read by Wanda Sykes.

Buy this on Amazon

Other books from this author:

  1. The Case of the Poached Egg
  2. The Case of Bad Apples
book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

18. A Tale of Two Beasts

A Tale of Two Beasts written and illustrated by Fiona Roberton and read by Sarah Silverman.

Buy this on Amazon

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

19. To Be a Drum

To Be A Drum is written by Evelyn Coleman, illustrated by Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson and read by James Earl Jones.

Buy this book on Amazon.

Another book written by this author: Freedom Train

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

20. The Selfish Crocodile

The Selfish Crocodile is written by Faustin Charles, illustrated by Michael Terry and read by Mimi.

Buy this book on Amazon.

book of the week
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn