The shortlists for the 2026 British Audio Awards, also known as the Speakies, have been announced. Set up last year by The Bookseller and sister publication The Stage, the Speakies reflect the ‘exponential rise and growing consumer demand for audio content’ and are dedicated to celebrating excellence across audiobooks, audio drama and podcasts.

The 18 award categories – including Best Audiobook: Children’s Books and Best Audiobook: Young Adult Books – span the full breadth of spoken-word entertainment and champion quality storytelling, performance and production values. The shortlists were selected by panels of judges made up of authors, actors, reviewers, broadcasters and industry experts.

Commenting on this year’s shortlists, Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and one of this year’s judges, said: ‘From Hollywood actors to Booker-winning authors, the market for listening goes from strength to strength, with books, dramas and discussions that thrill and inform in equal measure. I am delighted that all the hard work is reflected in these shortlists, and that listeners are being well-served during what is becoming a golden age for audio storytelling.’

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and narrators.

Best Audiobook: Children’s Books Shortlist

British Museum: So You Think You’ve Got It Bad? A Kid’s Life in Tudor Times by Chae Strathie, narrated by Chae Strathie and others (Nosy Crow)

Harry Potter (Full-Cast Editions) by JK Rowling (Pottermore Publishing & Audible)

Super Great Kids’ Stories: From Storytellers Around the World by Kim Normanton, narrated by Kim Normanton and others (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

The Café at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Tiny Hercules by Jon Lock and Nich Angell, narrated by Tom Babbage (Macmillan Children’s Books)

Yoto Classics: Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie, narrated by Nick Mohammed (Yoto Originals)

Best Audiobook: Young Adult Books Shortlist