National Literacy
Trust picks


10 family listens to
celebrate Black History Month
Discovering listens the whole family can enjoy can be tricky, so who better to share their top picks than our friends and audio advocates the National Literacy Trust. Working with schools and families, the team know a thing or two about what makes the best listen, from immersive soundscapes to enticing narration.

To celebrate Black History Month, explore the National Literacy Trust's favourite listens, from mesmerising stories with life lessons at their core, to tales exploring racism and prejudice. Featuring Alison Hammond's Black in Time, Lenny Henry's The Boy with Wings and more.
Product list
  • Fablehouse cover art

    • Fablehouse

    • By: E.L. Norry
    • Narrated by: Olivia Forrest
    • Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
    • Release date: 08-06-23
    • Language: English
    • 1 rating
    • Fablehouse by E. L. Norry
    • 'Strange things are happening at Fablehouse, a children's home in post-war England. It's a safe haven for Heather and her friends, sheltering them from a society that won't accept the colour of their skin. When a doorway opens up to the fae realm, can Heather and her friends come together to protect their home? Norry's characters come beautifully to life in this narration of fantasy, friendship and legend.'

    £12.99 or free with trial. Auto-renews at £8.99/month after trial. See eligibility.

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  • Black in Time cover art

    • Black in Time

    • The Most Awesome Black Britons from Yesterday to Today
    • By: Alison Hammond, E. L. Norry
    • Narrated by: Daniel Reid-Walter, Natalie Simpson, Alison Hammond
    • Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
    • Release date: 09-06-22
    • Language: English
    • 8 ratings
    • Black in Time by Alison Hammond
    • 'History is full of amazing Black Britons who have changed the world. Get to know just some of them in this entertaining, sensitive and conversational audiobook which might just transform the way you think of our country’s past and present.'

    £12.99 or free with trial. Auto-renews at £8.99/month after trial. See eligibility.

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  • Sulwe cover art

    • Sulwe

    • By: Lupita Nyong'o, Vashti Harrison
    • Narrated by: Lupita Nyong'o
    • Length: 13 mins
    • Release date: 23-02-21
    • Language: English
    • 7 ratings
    • Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
    • 'Sulwe learns an important lesson about where true beauty lies in this captivating story. Lupita’s wonderful narration of this highly personal story will resonate with all those who listen. We were mesmerised by Sulwe's journey through the night sky.'

    £3.99 or free with trial. Auto-renews at £8.99/month after trial. See eligibility.

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  • Coming to England cover art

    • Coming to England

    • By: Floella Benjamin, Joelle Avelino
    • Narrated by: Floella Benjamin
    • Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins
    • Release date: 09-06-22
    • Language: English
    • 12 ratings
    • Coming to England by Floella Benjamin
    • 'We love Baroness Benjamin’s own story of her early life in Trinidad, her family’s move to Britain as part of the Windrush generation, and her joys and struggles to make a success of her life here.'

    £6.99 or free with trial. Auto-renews at £8.99/month after trial. See eligibility.

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  • We're Going to Find the Monster cover art

    £3.99 or free with trial. Auto-renews at £8.99/month after trial. See eligibility.

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  • Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History cover art

    £7.99 or free with trial. Auto-renews at £8.99/month after trial. See eligibility.

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  • Brown Girl Dreaming cover art

    • Brown Girl Dreaming

    • By: Jacqueline Woodson
    • Narrated by: Jacqueline Woodson
    • Length: 3 hrs and 56 mins
    • Release date: 27-04-23
    • Language: English
    • 2 ratings
    • Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
    • 'Jacqueline Woodson’s compelling narration of her experience of growing up in 1960s America is told in verse. Among the tumultuous times are joyous celebrations of family and home. A poignant and honest collection to share with older children.'

    £7.99 or free with trial. Auto-renews at £8.99/month after trial. See eligibility.

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  • Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer cover art

    • Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer

    • By: Jeffrey Boakye
    • Narrated by: Jeffrey Boakye
    • Length: 4 hrs and 9 mins
    • Release date: 06-06-23
    • Language: English
    • 5 ratings
    • Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer by Jeffrey Boakye
    • 'It’s the 90s and music rules the playground. Kofi and his friends start Paper Jam, a magazine of song lyrics. Everything’s exciting at first, but Kofi must soon decide whether money or friendship is more important. A truly entertaining story.'

    £11.99 or free with trial. Auto-renews at £8.99/month after trial. See eligibility.

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  • Follow that Word cover art

    • Follow that Word

    • By: John Agard, Momoko Abe
    • Narrated by: John Agard
    • Length: 1 hr and 58 mins
    • Release date: 30-05-22
    • Language: English
    • Not rated yet
    • Follow That Word by John Agard
    • 'Stunningly performed, John Agard’s lyrical, enthralling collection of poems draws on myths, legends, history, and the world around us. We love this amazing reminder about how powerful and engaging the spoken word can be - especially when enjoyed together.'

    £7.99 or free with trial. Auto-renews at £8.99/month after trial. See eligibility.

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  • The Boy With Wings cover art

    • The Boy With Wings

    • The laugh-out-loud, extraordinary adventure from Lenny Henry
    • By: Lenny Henry, Keenon Ferrell
    • Narrated by: Lenny Henry
    • Series: The Boy with Wings, Book 1
    • Length: 3 hrs and 49 mins
    • Release date: 14-10-21
    • Language: English
    • 10 ratings
    • The Boy with Wings by Lenny Henry
    • 'Tunde is having a tough time at school until unexpectedly sprouting wings throws him into an exciting world of adventure! Filled with humour, this audiobook is also a great way to approach conversations about topics such as racism, bullying and adoption.'

    £7.99 or free with trial. Auto-renews at £8.99/month after trial. See eligibility.

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