Listen Up to Audiobooks March 2006
By Lisa Von Drasek

To read Lisa Von Drasek's related article A Gathering of Flowers click here

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, read by Judith Ivey (Listening Library, 2006, ISBN: 0-307-24593-4, 1 CD, $19.95, ages 7+)

A new classic about a three-foot-tall rabbit made almost entirely of china, whose arms and legs are jointed and joined by wire, giving him much freedom of movement. In the course of his journey Edward is beloved by a little girl, a fisherman and his wife, a hobo and his dog and an ailing little girl and her brother. Judith Ivey tells Edward Tulane's story in a deliberate pace and voice befitting a traditional fairy tale. There are some scary moments, but none more than other folktales from Grimm or Hans Christian Andersen.

Frog and Toad Audio Collection by Arnold Lobel (HarperChildren's Audio, 2004, ISBN: 0-060-74053-1, 2 CDs, $17.95)

These early readers are narrated with enthusiasm by their author, who is supported by melodious musical accompaniment. The first begins with Frog trying to awaken Toad early from his winter sleep because he is lonely. Children will revel in the stories delightfully absurd constructs. This compilation contains four classic tales including Frog and Toad Are Friends, Frog and Toad All Year, Frog and Toad Together and Days with Frog and Toad.

Hans Christian Andersen Classic Stories read by Diane Wolkstein (August House, 2005, ISBN: 0-874-83767-7, 1 CD, $14.95, ages 5+)

This collection of six stories, including some familiar ones like The Ugly Duckling and The Emperor's New Clothes, sound fresh and new with this meticulous telling by New York City Central Park's resident storyteller. Wolkstein's animal sounds are so startlingly realistic that my dog leapt to her feet at the duckling's first "cheep-cheep!"

Charlotte's Web: The 50th Anniversary Retrospective Edition by E.B. White (Listening Library, 2002, ISBN: 0-807-20852-3, 3 CDs, $27.00, ages 7+)

The real pleasure of this recording is hearing the author's gravelly voice, like a favorite uncle telling a story. White's descriptions create the world of the farm without sugar coating. No child should miss the experience of meeting Wilbur the terrific pig, his friend eight-year-old Fern, Templeton the rat and Charlotte the literate spider.

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall, read by Susan Denaker (Listening Library, 2006, ISBN: 0-307-28451-4, 6 CDs, $39.00, all ages)

This winner of the 2005 National Book Award for Young People's Literature is an old-fashioned family adventure. The Penderwicks find themselves on a summer holiday on a beautiful estate with the opportunity to explore the gardens and grounds and make a new friend. Reminicent of classic children's books like The Saturdays and Betsy-Tacy, this is an entrancing read-aloud for all ages.

To read Lisa Von Drasek's related article A Gathering of Flowers click here

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