National Literacy Trust
See literacytrust.org.uk to learn more about the National Literacy Trust and how you can support them.
Learn more about research initatives
In 2022, the charity published a report exploring how children and young people's listening habits have developed post-lockdown. They asked three key questions: whether they enjoy listening, how frequently they listen, and what formats they listen to. Take a look below to explore some of the key callouts.
National Literacy Trust picks
Listen Up!
Blue Planet II
The Cosmic Diary of Our Incredible Universe
Rise Up
10 family listens to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month
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Ajay and the Mumbai Sun
- By: Varsha Shah
- Narrated by: Susheel Kumar
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Abandoned on the Mumbai railways, Ajay has grown up with nothing but a burning wish to be a journalist. Finding an abandoned printing press, he and his friends Saif, Vinod, Yasmin and Jai create their own newspaper: The Mumbai Sun. As they hunt down stories for their paper, the children uncover corruption, fight for justice and battle to save their slum from bulldozers. But against some of the most powerful forces in the city, can Ajay and his friends really succeed in bringing the truth to light? Not to mention win the most important cricket match ever.
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touching
- By Claire on 02-08-22
By: Varsha Shah
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Stolen History
- The Truth About the British Empire and How It Shaped Us
- By: Sathnam Sanghera
- Narrated by: Homer Todiwala
- Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You've probably heard the word 'empire' before. Perhaps because of the Roman empire. Or maybe even the Star Wars films. But what about the British Empire? Why don't we learn much about this? And what even is an empire, anyway? This book will answer all the important questions about Britain's imperial history. It will explore how Britain's empire once made it the most powerful nation on earth, and how it still affects our lives in many ways today - from the words we use, to the food we eat, the sports we play and even to every grown-up's fixation with a good cup of tea.
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Another insightful book
- By RJ on 08-06-23
By: Sathnam Sanghera
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Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties
- By: Humza Arshad, Henry White
- Narrated by: Humza Arshad
- Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Humza Khan is the greatest 11-year-old rapper Eggington has ever known: he is Little Badman, and he is destined to be rich and famous. But when Humza's music teacher is taken ill, his dreams are put on hold. His auntie has stepped in as substitute, and nobody seems to care about the unorthodox teaching because of the endless sweet treats. As other teachers start to disappear, with more aunties appearing in their place, Humza knows something isn't right.
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Great book
- By Vanessa on 05-09-20
By: Humza Arshad, and others
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Anisha, Accidental Detective
- By: Serena Patel
- Narrated by: Manjeet Mann
- Length: 3 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Anisha is all set to be a (reluctant) bridesmaid at Aunty Bindi's wedding...until a secret ransom note arrives. Bindi's groom has been kidnapped and will only be released if the wedding is called off! With best friend Milo, mischievous Granny Jas, a runaway lobster, a kitten-loving giant, and some super skills of logic and observation, it's up to Anisha Mistry to find her uncle, before the big family wedding of the year becomes a big disaster.
-
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Amazing😀!!!!!!😆
- By Emma Poole on 16-04-22
By: Serena Patel
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Where the River Runs Gold
- By: Sita Brahmachari
- Narrated by: Tania Rodrigues
- Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shifa and her brother, Themba, live in Kairos City with their father, Nabil. The few live in luxury whilst the millions like them crowd together in compounds, surviving on meagre rations and governed by Freedom Fields - the organisation that looks after you, as long as you opt in. The bees have long disappeared; instead children must labour on farms, pollinating crops so that the nation can eat.
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good intentions, poor execution
- By Dom on 27-02-22
By: Sita Brahmachari
-
Small’s Big Dream
- By: Manjeet Mann
- Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
- Length: 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Small’s world, everything is small - her shoes, her bed, everything. But her dreams are big. And Small discovers that when you dream big, anything - and everything - can happen.
By: Manjeet Mann
-
Ajay and the Mumbai Sun
- By: Varsha Shah
- Narrated by: Susheel Kumar
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Abandoned on the Mumbai railways, Ajay has grown up with nothing but a burning wish to be a journalist. Finding an abandoned printing press, he and his friends Saif, Vinod, Yasmin and Jai create their own newspaper: The Mumbai Sun. As they hunt down stories for their paper, the children uncover corruption, fight for justice and battle to save their slum from bulldozers. But against some of the most powerful forces in the city, can Ajay and his friends really succeed in bringing the truth to light? Not to mention win the most important cricket match ever.
-
-
touching
- By Claire on 02-08-22
By: Varsha Shah
-
Stolen History
- The Truth About the British Empire and How It Shaped Us
- By: Sathnam Sanghera
- Narrated by: Homer Todiwala
- Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You've probably heard the word 'empire' before. Perhaps because of the Roman empire. Or maybe even the Star Wars films. But what about the British Empire? Why don't we learn much about this? And what even is an empire, anyway? This book will answer all the important questions about Britain's imperial history. It will explore how Britain's empire once made it the most powerful nation on earth, and how it still affects our lives in many ways today - from the words we use, to the food we eat, the sports we play and even to every grown-up's fixation with a good cup of tea.
-
-
Another insightful book
- By RJ on 08-06-23
By: Sathnam Sanghera
-
Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties
- By: Humza Arshad, Henry White
- Narrated by: Humza Arshad
- Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Humza Khan is the greatest 11-year-old rapper Eggington has ever known: he is Little Badman, and he is destined to be rich and famous. But when Humza's music teacher is taken ill, his dreams are put on hold. His auntie has stepped in as substitute, and nobody seems to care about the unorthodox teaching because of the endless sweet treats. As other teachers start to disappear, with more aunties appearing in their place, Humza knows something isn't right.
-
-
Great book
- By Vanessa on 05-09-20
By: Humza Arshad, and others
-
Anisha, Accidental Detective
- By: Serena Patel
- Narrated by: Manjeet Mann
- Length: 3 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Anisha is all set to be a (reluctant) bridesmaid at Aunty Bindi's wedding...until a secret ransom note arrives. Bindi's groom has been kidnapped and will only be released if the wedding is called off! With best friend Milo, mischievous Granny Jas, a runaway lobster, a kitten-loving giant, and some super skills of logic and observation, it's up to Anisha Mistry to find her uncle, before the big family wedding of the year becomes a big disaster.
-
-
Amazing😀!!!!!!😆
- By Emma Poole on 16-04-22
By: Serena Patel
-
Where the River Runs Gold
- By: Sita Brahmachari
- Narrated by: Tania Rodrigues
- Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shifa and her brother, Themba, live in Kairos City with their father, Nabil. The few live in luxury whilst the millions like them crowd together in compounds, surviving on meagre rations and governed by Freedom Fields - the organisation that looks after you, as long as you opt in. The bees have long disappeared; instead children must labour on farms, pollinating crops so that the nation can eat.
-
-
good intentions, poor execution
- By Dom on 27-02-22
By: Sita Brahmachari
-
Small’s Big Dream
- By: Manjeet Mann
- Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
- Length: 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Small’s world, everything is small - her shoes, her bed, everything. But her dreams are big. And Small discovers that when you dream big, anything - and everything - can happen.
By: Manjeet Mann
10 super sports listens for the whole family
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Key Player
- Front Desk, Book 4
- By: Kelly Yang
- Narrated by: Sunny Lu
- Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Women’s World Cup is coming to Anaheim, and everyone has soccer fever — especially Mia! The U.S. team is playing China in the finals, and Mia feels like her two identities are finally coming together. But when her P.E. teacher gives her a C, Mia tries to score interviews with the two women’s teams to pull up her grade. As Mia aims for her goals, she’ll have to face strikers from all corners, and her own fears. But if anyone can find a way to win big, it’s Mia Tang!
By: Kelly Yang
-
Spinderella and Other Stories
- By: Julia Donaldson
- Narrated by: Julia Donaldson, Malcolm Donaldson
- Length: 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A bumper five-story audio collection from master storyteller Julia Donaldson – perfect for entertaining little ones in the car or at storytime! Meet football-mad spiders, two very different monkeys, a migrating swallow and his friends, a boy and his puppy and an interpid fox cub in this lively, fun-filled story collection.
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Fun for all the family.
- By Michael Ridley on 27-01-24
By: Julia Donaldson
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Giraffes Can't Dance
- By: Guy Parker-Rees, Giles Andreae
- Narrated by: Hugh Laurie
- Length: 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gerald the giraffe longs to go to the great Jungle Dance, but how can he join in when he doesn't know how to tango or two-step? Everyone knows that giraffes can't dance...or can they? With lots of music to boogie along to, this fun-filled audiobook is guaranteed to get little ones dancing!
-
-
Daughter loves it!
- By Martyn on 28-03-20
By: Guy Parker-Rees, and others
-
Everest: The Remarkable Story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
- By: Alexandra Stewart
- Narrated by: Paul Panting
- Length: 1 hr and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the late morning of 29th May 1953, the sun was shining brightly on the roof of the world, a gentle breeze was blowing and two men were there to witness it for the first time ever...their names were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay and the roof of the world was Everest. This is the breathtaking story of how two very different yet equally determined men battled frost-biting temperatures, tumbling ice rocks, powerful winds and death-defying ridges to climb the world’s highest mountain.
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The Naughtiest Unicorn at Sports Day
- The Naughtiest Unicorn, Book 2
- By: Pip Bird
- Narrated by: Carlyss Peer
- Length: 1 hr and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Join the naughtiest unicorn for magic and mayhem in the second instalment of this hilarious series. It’s sports day at Unicorn School but Dave the naughtiest unicorn doesn’t do sport! Can Mira persuade her UBFF (Unicorn Best Friend Forever) to join in all the fun and games? The winning team will win a super shiny medal and go on a magical rainbow quest....
By: Pip Bird
-
You Have the Power
- Find Your Strength and Believe You Can
- By: Leah Williamson, Suzanne Wrack
- Narrated by: Leah Williamson
- Length: 1 hr and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Join Leah Williamson, captain of the England women’s football team, as she shows you that you can be a leader at any age, and that huge things can happen when you believe in yourself!
-
-
Inspirational
- By Sarah L on 05-10-23
By: Leah Williamson, and others
-
Key Player
- Front Desk, Book 4
- By: Kelly Yang
- Narrated by: Sunny Lu
- Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Women’s World Cup is coming to Anaheim, and everyone has soccer fever — especially Mia! The U.S. team is playing China in the finals, and Mia feels like her two identities are finally coming together. But when her P.E. teacher gives her a C, Mia tries to score interviews with the two women’s teams to pull up her grade. As Mia aims for her goals, she’ll have to face strikers from all corners, and her own fears. But if anyone can find a way to win big, it’s Mia Tang!
By: Kelly Yang
-
Spinderella and Other Stories
- By: Julia Donaldson
- Narrated by: Julia Donaldson, Malcolm Donaldson
- Length: 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A bumper five-story audio collection from master storyteller Julia Donaldson – perfect for entertaining little ones in the car or at storytime! Meet football-mad spiders, two very different monkeys, a migrating swallow and his friends, a boy and his puppy and an interpid fox cub in this lively, fun-filled story collection.
-
-
Fun for all the family.
- By Michael Ridley on 27-01-24
By: Julia Donaldson
-
Giraffes Can't Dance
- By: Guy Parker-Rees, Giles Andreae
- Narrated by: Hugh Laurie
- Length: 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gerald the giraffe longs to go to the great Jungle Dance, but how can he join in when he doesn't know how to tango or two-step? Everyone knows that giraffes can't dance...or can they? With lots of music to boogie along to, this fun-filled audiobook is guaranteed to get little ones dancing!
-
-
Daughter loves it!
- By Martyn on 28-03-20
By: Guy Parker-Rees, and others
-
Everest: The Remarkable Story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
- By: Alexandra Stewart
- Narrated by: Paul Panting
- Length: 1 hr and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the late morning of 29th May 1953, the sun was shining brightly on the roof of the world, a gentle breeze was blowing and two men were there to witness it for the first time ever...their names were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay and the roof of the world was Everest. This is the breathtaking story of how two very different yet equally determined men battled frost-biting temperatures, tumbling ice rocks, powerful winds and death-defying ridges to climb the world’s highest mountain.
-
The Naughtiest Unicorn at Sports Day
- The Naughtiest Unicorn, Book 2
- By: Pip Bird
- Narrated by: Carlyss Peer
- Length: 1 hr and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Join the naughtiest unicorn for magic and mayhem in the second instalment of this hilarious series. It’s sports day at Unicorn School but Dave the naughtiest unicorn doesn’t do sport! Can Mira persuade her UBFF (Unicorn Best Friend Forever) to join in all the fun and games? The winning team will win a super shiny medal and go on a magical rainbow quest....
By: Pip Bird
-
You Have the Power
- Find Your Strength and Believe You Can
- By: Leah Williamson, Suzanne Wrack
- Narrated by: Leah Williamson
- Length: 1 hr and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Join Leah Williamson, captain of the England women’s football team, as she shows you that you can be a leader at any age, and that huge things can happen when you believe in yourself!
-
-
Inspirational
- By Sarah L on 05-10-23
By: Leah Williamson, and others
10 family listens to celebrate Black History Month
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Fablehouse
- By: E. L. Norry
- Narrated by: Olivia Forrest
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fablehouse is a children’s home like no other. Housed in a crumbling mansion that perches on a cliff and backs on to ancient mysterious woodland, this is the home for many of Britain’s Brown Babies, children born to African-American GIs and white British women following the Second World War. Heather has already been through several children’s homes and is wary of Fablehouse and its unusual head teacher, Miss Isolde. But when children start acting strangely, Heather discovers a plot from a fae realm to infiltrate and overthrow the human world.
By: E. L. Norry
-
Black in Time
- The Most Awesome Black Britons from Yesterday to Today
- By: Alison Hammond
- Narrated by: Daniel Reid-Walter, Natalie Simpson, Alison Hammond
- Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hiya! Alison Hammond here! I love getting to know all about different people, and I'll tell you a secret...sometimes people we don't know much about are the most interesting of all! Which is really what this book is all about. Let me ask you a question: How many Black people can you name from our history? Mary Seacole? Ira Aldridge? George Bridgetower? Pablo Fanque? Walter Tull? Have you heard of these people? Yes? That's great! But if you haven't, don't worry, you're not alone, which is why I'm so excited to tell you all about them.
-
-
I have learnt so much
- By Alexandra on 03-04-24
By: Alison Hammond
-
Sulwe
- By: Lupita Nyong'o, Vashti Harrison
- Narrated by: Lupita Nyong'o
- Length: 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o comes a powerful and moving book about colourism, self-esteem and learning that true beauty comes from within. Sulwe's skin is the colour of midnight. She's darker than everyone in her family and everyone at school. All she wants is to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey through the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.
By: Lupita Nyong'o, and others
-
Coming to England
- By: Floella Benjamin
- Narrated by: Baroness Floella Benjamin
- Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Floella Benjamin was just a young girl when she, her sister and two brothers arrived in England in 1960 to join their parents, whom they had not seen for 15 months. They had left their island home of Trinidad to make a new life in London—part of a whole generation of West Indians who were encouraged to move to Britain and help rebuild the country after the Second World War. Reunited with her mother, Floella was too overwhelmed at first to care about the cold weather and the noise and dirt from the traffic.
By: Floella Benjamin
-
We’re Going to Find the Monster
- By: Malorie Blackman, Dapo Adeola
- Narrated by: Malorie Blackman
- Length: 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Join two intrepid adventurers as their imaginations transform their house into a wild wonderland - and their big brother becomes a mighty monster. A joy to listen to with its cumulative refrain and full of funny, relatable characters, this is a contemporary celebration of creativity, fantasy and family.
By: Malorie Blackman, and others
-
Little Leaders
- Bold Women in Black History
- By: Vashti Harrison
- Narrated by: Nikki Amuka-Bird, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Cathy Tyson, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Debut author Vashti Harrison tells the stories of both iconic and lesser-known female figures of black history - from nurse Mary Seacole to politician Diane Abbott, mathematician Katherine Johnson and singer Shirley Bassey. Among these biographies listeners will find heroes, role models and everyday women who did extraordinary things.
-
-
Amazing
- By Lara on 13-10-23
By: Vashti Harrison
-
Fablehouse
- By: E. L. Norry
- Narrated by: Olivia Forrest
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fablehouse is a children’s home like no other. Housed in a crumbling mansion that perches on a cliff and backs on to ancient mysterious woodland, this is the home for many of Britain’s Brown Babies, children born to African-American GIs and white British women following the Second World War. Heather has already been through several children’s homes and is wary of Fablehouse and its unusual head teacher, Miss Isolde. But when children start acting strangely, Heather discovers a plot from a fae realm to infiltrate and overthrow the human world.
By: E. L. Norry
-
Black in Time
- The Most Awesome Black Britons from Yesterday to Today
- By: Alison Hammond
- Narrated by: Daniel Reid-Walter, Natalie Simpson, Alison Hammond
- Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hiya! Alison Hammond here! I love getting to know all about different people, and I'll tell you a secret...sometimes people we don't know much about are the most interesting of all! Which is really what this book is all about. Let me ask you a question: How many Black people can you name from our history? Mary Seacole? Ira Aldridge? George Bridgetower? Pablo Fanque? Walter Tull? Have you heard of these people? Yes? That's great! But if you haven't, don't worry, you're not alone, which is why I'm so excited to tell you all about them.
-
-
I have learnt so much
- By Alexandra on 03-04-24
By: Alison Hammond
-
Sulwe
- By: Lupita Nyong'o, Vashti Harrison
- Narrated by: Lupita Nyong'o
- Length: 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o comes a powerful and moving book about colourism, self-esteem and learning that true beauty comes from within. Sulwe's skin is the colour of midnight. She's darker than everyone in her family and everyone at school. All she wants is to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey through the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.
By: Lupita Nyong'o, and others
-
Coming to England
- By: Floella Benjamin
- Narrated by: Baroness Floella Benjamin
- Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Floella Benjamin was just a young girl when she, her sister and two brothers arrived in England in 1960 to join their parents, whom they had not seen for 15 months. They had left their island home of Trinidad to make a new life in London—part of a whole generation of West Indians who were encouraged to move to Britain and help rebuild the country after the Second World War. Reunited with her mother, Floella was too overwhelmed at first to care about the cold weather and the noise and dirt from the traffic.
By: Floella Benjamin
-
We’re Going to Find the Monster
- By: Malorie Blackman, Dapo Adeola
- Narrated by: Malorie Blackman
- Length: 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Join two intrepid adventurers as their imaginations transform their house into a wild wonderland - and their big brother becomes a mighty monster. A joy to listen to with its cumulative refrain and full of funny, relatable characters, this is a contemporary celebration of creativity, fantasy and family.
By: Malorie Blackman, and others
-
Little Leaders
- Bold Women in Black History
- By: Vashti Harrison
- Narrated by: Nikki Amuka-Bird, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Cathy Tyson, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Debut author Vashti Harrison tells the stories of both iconic and lesser-known female figures of black history - from nurse Mary Seacole to politician Diane Abbott, mathematician Katherine Johnson and singer Shirley Bassey. Among these biographies listeners will find heroes, role models and everyday women who did extraordinary things.
-
-
Amazing
- By Lara on 13-10-23
By: Vashti Harrison