Listen Up to Audiobooks March 2007
By Lisa Von Drasek

For Lisa Von Drasek's latest article Grammar's Makeover click here

For Lisa Von Drasek's Onlien Extra Grammar Picture-Book Recommendations click here

Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allen Crow by James Howe, read by Patrick Mulvihill (Listening Library, 2007, ISBN: 0-739-33867-6, 3 CDs, 2 hours and 51 minutes, $27.00).

Harold, the sad-eyed, droopy-eared dog, arrives at his editor's office with a manuscript describing the further mysterious adventures of Harold, Howie and Chester the cat. With the arrival of M.T. Graves, the author of the bestselling "FleshCrawlers" series, the animals' household is turned upside down. Actor Mulvihill nails the various animals' voices, from the tired old Harold, eager, puppyish Howie and the low southern drawl of the cat.

The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin, read by Nancy Wu (Recorded Books, 2007, ISBN: 1-4-281-3362-3, 3 CDs, 3 hours, $24.75).

This ALA Notable Children's Book is spoken from the point of view of Pacy, an American/Taiwanese girl who describes her family and friends as the year begins with their Lunar New Year celebrations. Although I miss Lin's drawings that were embedded throughout the book edition, Nancy Woo more than makes up for the loss with her expressive depiction of the narrator and all the other characters within this simple story of everyday life.

Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas by Cynthia Rylant, read by George Guidall (Recorded Books, ISBN: 1-419-39359-6, 1 CD, 25 minutes, $12.75).

The classic early readers featuring Henry and his dog, Mudge, continue with this Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winning title, number 26 in the series. The title characters enjoy a visit with their Great-Grandpa Bill, where Henry can play checkers and Mudge can cadge candy. Chapter-book readers can follow along with the page-turn signals on side B of the cassette version.

For Lisa Von Drasek's latest article Grammar's Makeover click here

For Lisa Von Drasek's Onlien Extra Grammar Picture-Book Recommendations click here

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

March, 2007, Vol.37, No.6