Audio Books

Audio books are a fantastic way for students who struggle with reading to access literature. As a family, we listen to audio books and podcasts over our evening meal and whilst travelling.

For many children with literacy difficulties, keeping up with reading in the classroom can feel like an uphill struggle. Audiobooks offer a powerful and inclusive way to access the same rich stories as their peers — and they are not a lesser alternative to reading with your eyes. In fact, they can be a bridge into the magical world of books.

When a child listens to an audiobook, they are still engaging with the same characters, plots, and themes as everyone else. This means they’re not left out of playground conversations about the latest class novel or a much-loved book series — they’re right there in the story too. Listening helps build vocabulary, improves understanding of sentence structure, and develops a strong sense of how language flows — all without the stress of decoding words on the page.

Close-up of metallic over-ear headphones with brown ear cushions resting on a flat surface.

Audiobooks can also spark something deeper: a love of stories. For children who have found reading hard, this can be life-changing. They can enjoy the thrill of adventure, the beauty of poetic language, and the comfort of familiar characters — often for the first time without frustration.

And in many ways, this is not new. For centuries, long before books were found on every shelf, the UK was a deeply oral culture. Imagine a village square in the glow of firelight, where children and adults gather to hear a travelling bard weave tales of heroes, magic, and far-off lands. That love of listening to stories — of sharing them aloud — is woven into our cultural roots. Audiobooks are simply a modern version of this ancient tradition, now tucked into a phone or tablet instead of a campfire circle.

So if your child prefers to listen to stories, celebrate it. You’re not replacing reading — you’re nurturing a love of literature in a way that works for them.

  • 1. Calibre Audio

    • Website: www.calibreaudio.org.uk

    • Who it's for: Anyone with a print disability (including dyslexia, visual impairment, or a physical condition that affects reading).

    • Cost: Free for UK residents with a qualifying disability.

    • Features: Huge library of fiction and non-fiction titles for children, teens, and adults. Available by streaming, download, or USB stick.

    2. Listening Books

    • Website: www.listening-books.org.uk

    • Who it's for: People with illnesses, disabilities, learning or mental health difficulties that impact reading.

    • Cost: £20 per year, but free memberships available to those who would find the fee a barrier.

    • Features: Wide range of educational and leisure titles, including many school curriculum texts.

    3. RNIB Library (Talking Books Service)

    • Website: www.rnib.org.uk

    • Who it's for: People with sight loss or other print disabilities.

    • Cost: Free.

    • Features: Over 40,000 titles, including children’s books, available on CD, USB, or as digital downloads.

    4. Bookshare UK (via RNIB Bookshare)

    • Website: www.rnibbookshare.org

    • Who it's for: Students with a print disability, provided through schools, colleges, or universities.

    • Cost: Free for eligible students.

    • Features: Accessible books including audio, large print, braille and more. School staff can create and manage student accounts.

    5. Libby / BorrowBox (via Local Libraries)

    • Apps: Libby | BorrowBox

    • Who it's for: Anyone with a UK library card (check your local authority).

    • Cost: Free.

    • Features: Access a huge selection of audiobooks and eBooks via your public library. All ages and genres.

    6. Project Gutenberg (Audiobook Section)

    • Website: www.gutenberg.org

    • Who it's for: Everyone.

    • Cost: Free.

    • Features: Public domain titles available as computer-generated or volunteer-read audiobooks. Great for classic literature.

    7. Loyal Books (formerly Books Should Be Free)

    • Website: www.loyalbooks.com

    • Who it's for: Everyone.

    • Cost: Free.

    • Features: Audiobooks of classic children’s and adult literature in the public domain. MP3 downloads or streaming.