Kate Coventry sounds fully believable as she narrates this bewitching story featuring a talking goldfish, a plant, and a spider. Listeners meet feisty Jillian, whose parents ignore her while they concentrate on their antique shop; grumpy goldfish Toasty; braggart plant Ivy; and brave spider Arthur. Most enjoyable are the critters' amusing arguments as they try to outwit each other to be Jillian's favorite. Coventry directly addresses young listeners as "listener" as she speaks about math and books while teaching gentle lessons on acceptance and friendship. When a thief tries to steal Toasty's aquarium, everyone unites to use their unique skills to move him to safety. This story is beautifully presented through Coventry's skillfully developed personalities and wise advice.
(Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: May 27, 2025
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668140086
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Devon warmly depicts a quirky and loving family with his engaging performance.
Narrator Chris Devon returns for a bravura performance of this sweet, silly, and poignant second installment in Wood’s series. Seagull Gully and badger Septimus are busy raising their three chicks, and an already hectic household becomes that much more chaotic when a group of forest badgers comes for an extended visit. They want to dig a den where?! With his British accent and excellent pronunciation of Italian words, Devon immerses listeners in their various adventures and misadventures and conjures the many delights of the seaside town where they live. Gully’s dialogue consists exclusively of “Caw,” and Devon injects impressive variation and emotion into each utterance.
Devon warmly depicts a quirky and loving family with his engaging performance. (Fiction. 7-10)Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 52 mins
DD ISBN: 9798349115998
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: tomorrow
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2026
Bramhall embraces the storytelling tone that has built this series.
Mark Bramhall, who read the first two audiobooks in this series, now brings listeners the final installment in a satisfying conclusion. His narration shows his deep understanding of the characters—Orris, a rat, and Timble, an owl—as well as their unlikely friendship. He excellently executes grouchy Orris’ outward crabbiness and his more vulnerable interiority. Bramhall portrays young, patient Timble’s affection for the owl and his desire for Orris to experience the joy of flight with him. By the audiobook’s end, both flight and trust are achieved and the pair shares a new level of happiness. The final scene celebrates the magic these tales have brought to devoted fans.
Bramhall embraces the storytelling tone that has built this series. (Early chapter book. 7-9)Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Duration: 18 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593861905
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: April 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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