Let Scarlett Johansson and Thandie Newton read literary classics to you.
Audible has opened up a whole library of free audiobooks on their Stories service to children impacted by school closures. “For as long are schools are closed, Audible is open for free,” the platform states. This could prove useful to parents that have become full-time entertainers for their kids.
The offer includes over 300 books that are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Chinese Mandarin. And the best part about is that anyone can stream instantly without the hassle of logging in, signing up or adding those credit card details that you forget about in a year’s time. You can also listen on any device (laptops, tablets, phones or desktop).
Although the offer is mainly aimed at students and children with genres ranging from fairy tales to teen fiction, there are plenty of classics available too, which are always worth revisiting — and a few of them are narrated by Hollywood stars.
Here are some of the top picks for young and adult listeners.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland performed by Scarlett Johansson
One hundred and fifty years after its original publication, this is still one of the most influential pieces of literature and Scarlet Johansson brings it to life.
Jane Eyre performed by Thandie Newton
Thandie Newton’s narration of Charlotte Brontë’s Gothic exploration of female independence is pure theatre for your ears.
Frankenstein performed by Dan Stevens
Mary Shelley’s remarkable allegory for man’s relationship with his own creation and the chaos the ensues is constantly finding new relevance in the modern world. It’s also narrated by Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) which makes it easy to immerse yourself in this English novel.
Timeless Tales of Beatrix Potter: Peter Rabbit and Friends
This treasure of timeless tales has been inviting children into the imaginative world of Beatrix Potter for over 100 years. Listen to Katherine Kellgren as she reads the mischievous adventures of Peter Rabbit to you.
Winnie-the-Pooh: A.A. Milne’s Pooh Classics, Volume 1
A. A. Milne’s Pooh and friends will never cease to be enchanting and utterly adorable.
Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry
Neil deGrasse Tyson’s guide to the cosmos will explain the basics of physics to big questions about the nature of space and time. You’re never too old or too young to learn.
In Praise of Difficult Women: Life Lessons from 29 Heroines Who Dared to Break the Rules
From Frida Kahlo and Elizabeth Taylor to Nora Ephron, Carrie Fisher, and Lena Dunham, here’s what you can learn from the women that weren’t afraid to break the rules.