Kids Books Web Extra
By Lisa Von Drasek

Listen Up to Audiobooks

Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen, translated by Tiina Nunnally, read by Kate Reading and Richard Matthews (Listening Library, 2005, ISBN: 0-307-24590-X, 11 CDs $75.00) This new translation of 30 tales includes early stories such as The Tinderbox and The Emperor's New Clothes, the more familiar The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling, as well as Andersen's later stories written for teens and adults. These selections capture the humor and emotion of his body of work.

Little Town on The Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder ( Harper Audio , 2005, ISBN: 0-060-56505-5, six CDs, $25.95). Tony Award-winning actress Cherry Jones, the voice of the award-winning Because of Winn Dixie audiobook (Listening Library) narrates the seventh book in this classic American series. Setting the pioneer tone is Paul Woodiel, three-time winner of the New England Fiddle Contest, who plays throughout.

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Harper Children's Audio, 2005, ISBN: 0-06-085280-1, three CDs, $25.95). I just want thank the genius who hired Eric Idle of Monty Python's Flying Circus fame to record the movie tie-in edition of this childhood favorite. Idle creates unique voices for each of the characters – Charlie, Grandpa Joe, the other winners of the golden tickets and the mysterious, magical Willy Wonka.

The Witches by Roald Dahl (Recorded Books, 1994, Cassette ReadAlong/ Homework Pack, ISBN: 0-788-730-5-4, $50.99. four cassettes). This recording won the AudioFile Earphones Award for its engagingly creepy narration by Ron Keith. In this edition, the tapes are packaged with a reinforced Puffin paperback for reading along. Classroom sets are available from Recorded Books. If your school celebrates Halloween, this would be a wonderful classroom treat.

Lisa Von Drasek is Children's Librarian at the Bank Street College of Education in New York, NY.