There is something truly special about the ways a good book can transport us into another world. Whether it is discovering a new adventure alongside our favorite characters, getting lost in the pages of an imaginative story or sharing a beloved childhood classic with the next generation, stories have always had a way of bringing people together.
And while there is certainly nothing quite like opening a book and turning its pages, the ways we experience our favorite stories have continued to evolve, giving readers even more opportunities to discover the magic of storytelling wherever life might take them.
Something that is becoming a little easier for families thanks to an all-new agreement between Scholastic and Spotify!
Scholastic has officially announced that its collection of children’s and family audiobooks is joining the monthly audiobook listening hours included with eligible Spotify Premium and Audiobooks+ subscriptions, bringing some of the publisher’s most beloved stories to families across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.
And with a collection that includes everything from laugh-out-loud childhood adventures to imaginative fantasy worlds, there is certainly plenty for young listeners and their families to discover!
Among the titles joining the service are some of Scholastic’s biggest literary franchises, including Captain Underpants, The Hunger Games and Wings of Fire, alongside a selection of other popular books and series that have continued to capture the imaginations of readers around the world.
The expanded collection also includes Rebecca Elliott’s beloved Owl Diaries series, Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s graphic memoir Hey, Kiddo, which has been adapted into a full-cast audio production, and Billy Ray’s Burn the Water. Bringing together stories for different ages and interests, the agreement will give families more opportunities to explore Scholastic’s growing audiobook catalog as part of their existing listening routines.
And while Scholastic’s audiobooks have previously been available through Spotify as individual purchases, the new agreement represents an important change in how eligible subscribers can access the publisher’s collection.
Rather than having to purchase each audiobook separately, families can now listen to participating Scholastic titles using the audiobook hours included with their eligible subscriptions. For parents and young readers, this could make it easier to explore shorter stories, discover new series and enjoy more books together without having to commit to purchasing each title individually.
It is an especially interesting development when it comes to children’s books, where stories can vary considerably in length. While some audiobooks offer hours of entertainment, others are designed to be enjoyed in a much shorter sitting, making a time-based listening system another way for families to explore a wider selection of titles.
And with busy schedules often making it difficult to find time to sit down and read together, audiobooks offer another opportunity to bring stories into everyday family life, whether it is during a long car ride, while relaxing at home or as part of a familiar bedtime routine.
The partnership also reflects Scholastic’s continued efforts to make its stories accessible to young audiences through different formats, allowing families to discover familiar characters and new adventures in ways that fit into their daily lives.
For Spotify subscribers, audiobook listening is currently included with eligible Premium plans, although the available hours and how they can be used depend on the subscription. In the United States, Premium Individual and Premium Family plans each include 15 monthly audiobook listening hours for the eligible account holder, while additional Audiobooks+ options can provide listening access for other qualifying plan members.
And with the addition of Scholastic’s extensive collection, families now have even more stories to choose from, whether they are revisiting an old favorite or discovering an entirely new world for the first time.
Scholastic’s children’s and family audiobooks are now available through the monthly audiobook listening hours included with eligible Spotify Premium and Audiobooks+ subscriptions in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.