May 6, 2026
The National Year of Reading 2026 is a Department for Education initiative, designed to help children (re)discover the joy of reading. To support this, the Content team are shining a spotlight on a powerful and often overlooked way to experience books: audio. Audio books open up reading in a different way, helping pupils access stories through listening—much like when a teacher reads aloud in the classroom—and allowing them to fully engage with the story without the barrier of decoding the text.
Within Accelerated Reader, listening to a book is a recognised and valuable form of reading. It sits within the “Read To” and “Read With” elements of the TWI approach, where hearing a story read aloud supports comprehension, fluency, and enjoyment. This means pupils can still take an AR quiz and demonstrate their understanding after listening, just as they would with independent reading. What better way to encourage disengaged readers?
With Mental Health Awareness Week (beginning 11 May) approaching, we’ve added a special twist to the selections. Every book featured here not only has an audio option but also explores children’s mental health, offering meaningful stories that can support wellbeing, spark conversations, and build understanding.
Whirly Twirly Me by Manjeet Mann, illustrated by Amanda Quartey
LY | Quiz #270464 | BL 3.6 | HarperCollins Children’s Books
YouTube | Narrator: Manjeet Mann
Some days feel overwhelming and everything is too much, and this picture book helps young readers explore difficult feelings and learn to identify their emotions.
The Big, Bright Feelings collection by Tom Percival
LY | Quiz # various | BL 2.7-3.2 | Bloomsbury Publishing
Audible | Narrator: Sam Newton, Aysha Kala, Felicity Brown
This collection brings together eight books that are perfect springboards for conversations about mental health and wellbeing for little ones. The Audible collection also includes mindfulness exercises to help readers understand their own big feelings.
Wolf and Bear by Kate Rolfe
LY | Quiz #270012 | BL 2.1 | Two Hoots
YouTube | Narrator: Kate Rolfe
In this picture book gently exploring the theme of depression, Bear feels sad and wants to be alone, and Wolf gently tries to help him.
The Boy Who Made the World Disappear by Ben Miller
MY | Quiz #238449 | BL 5.1 | Simon & Schuster Children’s
Everand | Narrator: Ben Miller
When Harrison is given a black hole at a party, he uses it to make everything that makes him angry disappear, only to discover that wishes can have unexpected consequences.
The Tree That Sang to Me by Serena Molloy
MY | Quiz #271939 | BL 5.1 | Hodder Children’s Books
Audible | Narrator: Shane O’Riordan
In this novel told in verse, when Kai’s big sister, Jen, leaves home, Kai blames himself and keeps a painful secret. As a coping mechanism, he begins pulling his hair out. He finds comfort in a sycamore tree where he meets Sky, and their friendship helps him heal his guilt and pain.
The Dream House by Laura Dockrill
MY | Quiz #245018 | BL 4.0 | Piccadilly Press Ltd
Audible | Narrator: Laura Dockrill
Rex goes to stay with his godfather, Sparky, where a hidden Dream House in the garden becomes a special place that helps Rex find the strength to face memories from his past.
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
MY | Quiz #240278 | BL 4.1 | Nancy Paulsen
Audible | Narrator: Jenna Lamia
Bullied and shamed her whole life, twelve-year-old Ellie finally gains the confidence to stand up for herself with the help of some wonderful new allies.
The Boy Who Made Monsters by Jenny Pearson
MY | Quiz #244781 | BL 5.2 | Usborne
Audible | Narrator: Will Kirk
A poignant story addressing bereavement through a child’s eyes. When Benji hears that his uncle’s Loch Lochy tourist business is struggling, he comes up with a plan to prove a loch monster exists so people will flock to see it and save the business.
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
UY | Quiz #233879 | BL 5.0 | HarperCollins Children’s Books
Spotify | Narrator: Aysha Kala
In a world determined to shut them up, knock them down, and set them on a cookie-cutter life path, Frances and Aled struggle to find their voices over the course of one life-changing year. Oseman’s book takes a look at the effect academic pressure can have on teens.
All the Things We Never Said by Yasmin Rahman
UY | Quiz #238730 | BL 4.7 | Hot Key Books
Spotify | Narrators: Aysha Kala, Imogen Wilde, Saffron Coomber
When the chaos in Mehreen’s head becomes overwhelming, she joins a website to make connections that promise understanding, forcing her to confront grief, friendship, and the unspoken truths shaping her life.
Traumaland by Josh Silver
UY | Quiz #272127 | BL 3.4 | Rock the Boat
Audible | Narrator: Louis Hill
After an accident leaves Eli without memories or emotions, Eli seeks to feel something again and ends up at TraumaLand, a club where emotionally numb teens chase thrills and uncover unsettling truths.