James, an enslaved man who took the surname Lafayette, thanks to his wartime benefactor, served as a double agent for Washington's army during the American Revolution and then was returned to slavery. Narrator Rodney Gardiner, in a confident, deep voice, delivers Anne Rockwell's spare text with respect and authenticity. Brief gaps correspond with page turns, inviting listeners to examine the illustrated book. Background sound effects--countryside songbirds, tramping feet in army encampments--are unobtrusive but sometimes seem superfluous. The most confusing element of the production is the placement of the author's note. The background information on James is important and interesting--but on the recording is situated after the closing credits, which to most listeners signify the end of the audiobook.
(Informational picture book. 7-11)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2017
Duration: 14 mins
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Jeff Harding voices the many impactful moments of 1919 in this engaging nonfiction audiobook. From women activists fighting for the right to vote to the Red Scare and civil rights riots, Sandler draws parallels to today's social issues. Harding matches 1919's cadence with a forward-moving pace. He uses different accents for quotations, though the women and people of color might have been better served with a diverse cast. The asides and timelines that appear in the text also are in the audio. Full of fascinating stories put into a modern context, this audiobook offers much to learn about an eventful year and ponders the big questions of our current time.
(Nonfiction. 11-16)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2020
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Orchestral music filled with the chirping of birds fades into the background as narrator John Pruden begins the story of Central Park in New York City. The two winners of the 1858 design contest, Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted, set out their vision on a ten-foot-long schematic of the new park they called The Greensward. Bubbling fountains, a myriad of bridges, and a skating park were on display, followed by the ungroomed Ramble, and, finally, the children's section. Pruden sets a brisk clip and in unassuming voice lets the story speak for itself. The rumbles of construction, excited voices, and additional orchestration provide background for young listeners. The production concludes with further information about Central Park and its creators.
(Informational picture book. 7-10)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2019
Duration: 23 mins
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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