Andrew Weiner is the writer and narrator of this homage to fly fishing for children. The story captures a moment in time when a grandson, his mother, and his grandfather share a day fishing at the river. Weiner does not create character voices or imbue the story with gusto for what is obviously a treasured hobby. Rather, he reads in a calm, passive tone in the manner of a father reading a soothing bedtime story to a child. The listener can feel a quiet sort of joy as the grandfather recalls fishing with his daughter and creates new memories with his grandson. This gentle story is followed by Beth Hicks's lively reading of the nonfiction supplementary material, which includes information on fly-fishing basics and the concept of fisheries conservation.
. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2018
Duration: 13 mins
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Live Oak Media recently caught our attention with this new read-along book and cassette program. We listened first, and were so delighted we couldn't wait to get the book. The picture book made the experience even better, but the audio recordings was strong and vibrant by itself. THE GARDENER, Sarah Stewart's Depression-era story of a young girl sent to live with her Uncle Jim in the city has a sweet, wistful quality with narration alone, but coupled with David Small's soft-edged pencil illustration, it's a total delight. The reading is repeated on both sides of the tape, one with and without page-turning signals.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: N/A
Publisher: Live Oak Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Mirai's renderings of Kestrel, her family, and fellow workers at the institute thoughtfully depict the protagonists' growth.
Kestrel and her mother leave the home in California they share with Kestrel's grandfather, a pastor, to stay at a wildlife conservation institute in Montana. Narrator Mirai's youthful voice is a natural fit for this story of a young girl who at first resents being tricked into leaving California, but who later comes to realize that moving away from their strict home life was the right choice. Mirai employs distinctive voices for the adults, like Kestrel's stern grandfather and her uncertain mother, who begins gaining confidence. An author's note at the end discusses emotional abuse and how to find help.
Mirai's renderings of Kestrel, her family, and fellow workers at the institute thoughtfully depict the protagonists' growth. (Verse fiction. 9-14)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 42 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668175507
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2026
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