JennyD Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 (edited) After months of obsessive listening to the Stephen Fry et al recordings of Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner (and let's not forget the dramatic reenactments, complete with English accents), I think that my boys might finally consent to move on to something new. Any suggestions? I'd like something suitable content-wise for a 3yo and 6yo, but with relatively sophisticated language, on the theory that if they're going to memorize it anyway, it might as well be worth memorizing. My 3yo in particular is crazy for audiobooks and will listen for long stretches, so attention span is not an issue. I was thinking of perhaps A Bear Called Paddington -- Stephen Fry has an audiobook for that, too, and DS6 loves the series-- but I could kind of use a break from bears. Is there maybe a particularly good recording of The Wind in the Willows that someone might recommend (I see that there are several)? Other ideas? Edited November 17, 2011 by JennyD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perogi Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 We have really, really enjoyed Mary Poppins as well as the Chronicles of Narnia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Gooney Bird Green Mrs. Piggle Wiggle Harriet the Spy Those books are all huge hits here at my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nansk Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 My dd is enjoying Stephen Fry's Harry Potter audio books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth in MN Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Well, my favorite all time recordings are stories written and read by Neil Gaimen, the man is a WONDERFUL reader. Patrick Stewart is a close second. The Wizard of Oz is great at this age, my daughter loved A Series of Unfortunate Events. My Father's Dragons was good, and The BFG was a great hit (make sure to get the unabridged version!). I've heard good things about Dr Doolittle, Mrs Piggy-Wiggle and Mr Popper's Penguins. I am NOT a fan of the readings of the Little House books done by Cherry Jones. She really dumbs-down the books with the way she reads, and her accent is all wrong. Alice in Wonderland was a great hit, but I read it aloud with the help of annotated version. I second all of the above suggestions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 My kids enjoyed Uncle Remus. It has interesting (maybe not sophisticated) use of language, humor and has many short tales perfect for the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torototo Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Absolute favorites in our house or should I say car are Charlottes Web, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Tale of Despereaux, Stewart Little, the Trumpet of the Swan, and the Wizard of Oz. My kids also really loved Matilda but there are some very rude characters who use a lot of name calling. I used it as an opportunity to teach on manners and bullying. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 Thanks so much -- these are all great suggestions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perogi Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Absolute favorites in our house or should I say car are Charlottes Web, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Tale of Despereaux, Stewart Little, the Trumpet of the Swan, and the Wizard of Oz. My kids also really loved Matilda but there are some very rude characters who use a lot of name calling. I used it as an opportunity to teach on manners and bullying. Enjoy! :iagree: I forgot about those! We've not listened to Matilda but I LOVE the rest of that list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubiac Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Someone on these boards recommended Carl Reiner's reading of The Just So Stories and it is great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thundersweet Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I would like to know where the best deals are on audiobooks. Just ordered both kids mp3 players and would love to get them started on audiobooks. Thanks, Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeidiKC Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 My boys LOVE "Dominic", as well as some of the others mentioned, especially "Trumpet of the Swan". Probably not what you're looking for, but my 7yo requests SOTW nearly every single night!!! For almost 2 years now. Anything by Jim Weiss is wonderful, although I've read some people don't like his voice. I don't get that - I think he's great and my boys do, too. Try the free downloads on Storynory.com - they have King Arthur, Greek Myths and stories, lots of fairy tales, etc. Natasha is an excellent reader, and funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 my daughter loves Pollyanna, THe Secret Garden, Sarah Plain and Tall trilogy, Black Beauty, Anne of Green Gables, Shiloh, and Little HOuse. I am sure there are more...she LOVES audio books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindsrae Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 A Cricket in Times Square is delightful. My girls love the Sally Field version of Alice in Wonderland. Charlotte's Web read by E.B. White is a must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shukriyya Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 'The Princess and the Goblin' and 'The Princess and Curdie' both by George MacDonald are wonderful stories (favorites of Tolkein) and are read beautifully by Ian Whitcomb. Someone mentioned 'Dominic' and I'll second that suggestion. James Simmons reading The Mary Pope Osborne version of 'The Odyssey' Padraic Colum's Unabridged Children's Homer read by Robert Whitfield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 Thanks so much, all. I knew I could count on the Hive :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnG in Arizona Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Where do you all get these audio books? iTunes? Audible.com? Do you pay for most of them, or are they free? Just perking up to listen as my kids are getting to the age of appreciating some great read-alouds! Thanks. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 'The Princess and the Goblin' and 'The Princess and Curdie' both by George MacDonald are wonderful stories (favorites of Tolkein) and are read beautifully by Ian Whitcomb. We loved these! I like to listen to British stories on CD because I feel the accents add to the story. We've loved many: The Indian in the Cupboard and anything by E. Nesbit come to mind. My kids also really liked Misty of Chincoteague Island and Stormy, Misty's Foal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeeBeaks Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Most of the Jim Weiss stories have been a hit here. Sherlock Holmes of late has been popular, but it is a little complex. Uncle Wiggily stories by him were a hit when my reading it aloud was not. Paddington by Stephen Fry is popular here with a couple of my kids. James Herroit's Treasury for Children read by Jim Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaners Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Someone on these boards recommended Carl Reiner's reading of The Just So Stories and it is great! My daughter is listening to the Jim Weiss version as I type this. We like the version on cassette at our library too, but I'm not sure who reads it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolatemuffins Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Have you looked at the Naxos website? It's a UK label, but if you like Stephen Fry you may well like them. They're mainly recorded by English actors so they're very good quality. They have lots of excellent recordings of classics you can download. My sons favourite at the moment is the abridged version of Alice in Wonderland. http://www.naxosaudiobooks.com/juniorclassics.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquility7 Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Try the free downloads on Storynory.com - they have King Arthur, Greek Myths and stories, lots of fairy tales, etc. Natasha is an excellent reader, and funny! WOW, what an awesome free resource!!! SO well done, and FREE! Thanks so much for posting the link. I have already downloaded a few stories and poems and made a CD for DS's. He will be SO THRILLED! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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