Heard Any Good Books Lately?
By Lisa Von Drasek

It's time for an audio review. For those who need reminding, audio books are not "cheating." They're a fabulous tool for improving reading, vocabulary and listening skills for all ages. They're even a classroom management tool. Emily Holden, K-5 Librarian and District Librarian for Technology for 16 schools in Fountain Hill, PA told me that one sixth grade class who'd had trouble settling down was now policing each other so as not to miss the latest installment of Christopher Paul Curtis' Bud, Not Buddy (Listening Library, cassette, ISBN:
0-553-52675-8).

The audio CD of Farmer Duck, by Martin Waddell, includes the story, plus related activities.

A sound series
For preK-K teachers there's a terrific new series from Candlewick, which starts with We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen (CD, ISBN: 0-763-62429-2). Join the journey braving wind and snow, fording a river, climbing a mountain and meeting the bear. The disc includes games in which kids are asked to repeat words and movements. Other titles in the series include Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? (CD, ISBN: 0-763-62424-1) and Farmer Duck (CD, ISBN: 0-763-62425-X), both by Martin Waddell and Little Beaver and the Echo by Amy McDonald (CD, ISBN: 0-763-62427-6).

Classics, old and new
My favorite fiction book of last year, The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, won the Newbery Medal and the audio presentation (Listening Library, cassette, ISBN: 0-807-21947-9) lives up to the book. Be spirited away to another time and place as the story of a brave mouse and his true love, Princess Pea, unfolds.

Looking for a classic to share? Look no further than Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne (Harper Children's Audio, cassette, ISBN: 0-060-54043-5). With a gentle sense of humor, this tale of the bear and his friends is told anew. Also available is Milne's The House at Pooh Corner (Trafalgar Square, cassette, ISBN: 1-859-98651-X).

The Cat in the Hat and other Dr. Seuss Favorites features the voices of John Lithgow, Billy Crystal and others.

Celebrity catnaps
Perfect for nap time is The Cat in The Hat and other Dr. Seuss Favorites, by Dr. Seuss (Imagination Studio, CD, ISBN: 0-807-21873-1). These nine stories, including "The Lorax" and "Horton Hears a Who," are read by actors such as Kelsey Grammer and Dustin Hoffman. Continue celebrating the Seussentennial with Green Eggs and Ham and Other Servings of Dr. Seuss (Imagination Studio, CD, ISBN: 0-908-21992-4), which features star readers Jason Alexander, David Hyde Pierce and Michael McKean.

Spinning a story
In the New York City schools, hundreds of students compete to be named the best storyteller in their borough. What better model for them than Bill Harley's new recording, The Town Around the Bend: Bedtime Stories and Songs (Round River Music, CD, ISBN: 1-878-12646-6), which presents folksy songs and humorous tall tales kids will love.

Titles perfect for supporting literature circles are the humorous Matilda by Roald Dahl (Harper Children's Audio, CD, ISBN: 0-060-58254-5), Busybody Nora, a chapter book about a first grader, by Johanna Hurwitz (Recorded Books, CD) and our reading specialist's favorite for grades 4-6, Stone Fox, a dog sled race adventure by John Reynolds Gardiner (Harper Children's Audio, cassette, ISBN: 0-060-52615-7).

In full voice
Need something for a poetry unit? Try Vera B. Williams' novel in verse, Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart (Live Oak Media, cassette, ISBN: 1-591-12186-8). The poems were recorded with separate narrators for Amber, Essie and their mother.

I'm pleased to have discovered Full Cast Audio, a company that reads books aloud with a different actor for character and narrator and appropriate accompanying music. The comedy adventure The Monster's Ring by Bruce Coville is scary fun as bullied Russell Crannaker is transformed into a raging monster (CD, ISBN: 1-932-07621-2).

Something different
Looking for something to last a while? Cornelia Funke's Inkheart (Listening Library, cassette, ISBN: 0-807-21950-9) runs longer than 13 hours. Actress Lynn Redgrave brings all the characters to life.

The Coretta Scott King Honor book Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa. by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Weston Woods, cassette, ISBN: 1-555-92175-2; CD ISBN: 1-555-92498-0) is narrated by Billy Dee Williams and features recordings of the Queen of Scat. This is the perfect example of how an audio edition can elevate an already great book.

Around the world
Make a long bus ride fun with Sing Along with Putumayo (Putumayo Kids, CD, ISBN: 1-587-59080-8), which features 12 sing-along songs performed by artists such as Arlo Guthrie with his father Woody's classic "Bling-Blang," Rufus Thomas performing a Blues Brothers-like version of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and family favorite Dan Zanes with an exuberant "Bushel and a Peck."

Finish the year with Putumayo's "World Playground Activity Kit," which includes a CD of 12 songs from six continents, a 52-page activity guide and more. This program brings everyone closer through music, activities and languages. Samples of the music can be heard on www.putumayo.com

While looking back on this school year, I was inspired by the last song of this collection, "Just Keep Goin' On," a blues song from the Mississippi Delta: "Just keep goin' on, Take every knock as a boost, and every stumbling block as a stepping stone. Lift up your head and hold your own, Just keep goin' on."

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