The story drops listeners in on a conversation between an exclamation point and a question mark. Disheartened Exclamation Mark knows he doesn’t work the way periods do, but what is his role? Leave it to Question Mark with her boatload of questions to present a solution. With a resounding “STOP!”—Exclamation Mark is on his way. Kudos to the narrating trio for their ability to bring the drama of this story to life. Their varying voices enable listeners to discern the conversation between the two punctuation marks by enlisting drawn-out monotones, soft-voiced hesitancy, and changes in inflection and pace. Listeners will especially enjoy it when Exclamation Mark tries out his new power.
(Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2014
Duration: 5 mins
Publisher: Weston Woods Studios
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Barnett’s genius brand of offbeat humor is dampened somewhat by the foreboding accompaniment to his deadpan delivery.
In this humorous dispatch, author and narrator Barnett offers a glimpse into the future and its customs. Speaking directly to the listener in a deep, sonorous voice accompanied by eerie space-age music and effects, Barnett imparts tidbits from an age in which many people are named Charlie Cheeseface, day is called night, and night is called day. “Forgive me, Susan!” is the response to sneezing, and the polite way to express thanks is to gently place a fish on a person’s head. Along with Barnett, the picture book’s illustrator, Shawn Harris, contributes an auto-tuned, robotic echo of sentence-ending words or phrases.
Barnett’s genius brand of offbeat humor is dampened somewhat by the foreboding accompaniment to his deadpan delivery. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 7 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217284061
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: March 10, 2026
Author Drew Daywalt serves as primary narrator of this first book in a new Crayon series. Daywalt describes Duncan's surprise when he learns his errant crayons have left again. They all send back letters that recount their adventures and discoveries, and the new friends they've met. A large cast, including narration luminaries like Michael Crouch and Tara Sands, portray the 10 crayons. Music, sound effects, and the accents and attitudes of many different voices individualize the crayons, starting with Red, who extinguishes fires and makes the acquaintance of his toy fire truck, and ending with Brown, who falls in love with a stick. At the end, Daywalt gathers all the crayons together, and against a loud party background, the crayons speak up with final words.
(Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: June 3, 2025
Duration: 11 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217169573
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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