Keith Nobbs’s narrative style is a perfect match for Mull’s latest fantasy adventure. When a group of unsuspecting sixth graders, led by Cole, visits Spooky Lane on Halloween, they’re kidnapped and taken to another dimension, where they’re sold into slavery. Nobbs captures the essence of each character so thoroughly that listeners will feel like they’re old friends, especially Cole, whose voice spans the emotional spectrum, giving him a true heroic presence. Also notable is the chipper tone of the talking Happy Face. Nobbs nimbly navigates the story’s roller-coaster pace. His dynamic performance is amplified by expertly timed sound effects and booming monster voices, all of which sets a high standard for future installments.
Ages 8+Pub Date: March 11, 2014
Duration: 12 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781442367685
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A classic story of high adventure and conflict between good and evil placed in the mythical land of Prydain, The Book of Three is read grippingly and enchantingly by Chris King. Vocal switches are mostly smooth with a few minor pronunciation slips which are quickly corrected. King's voice is clear, easy to understand and memorable, giving the listener a sense of the characters as well as a pronunciation guide to those incredible Gaelic names Alexander uses. Both the characters and the story linger in the mind's eye because of the quality of narration. This is surely a reading that can be listened to again and again and will leave the listeners asking for the entire Prydain series on tape.
AGES 8+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Posy Bates is back, this time with a dog left over from a pet show. Back also are baby Fred and her friend, Sam. But the star of the show is Posy herself, an energetic nine-year-old with a penchant for misadventure. Judy Bennett's rendering of each of the characters in this episodic family story is right on the mark. Her enunciation and impeccable timing clarify the idiomatic text so that its unusual words become another aspect of the book's pleasure. The irrepressible Posy is her greatest challenge, and Bennett gets high marks. She bubbles with enthusiasm, wails and squeals, and dies over and over again. "It's positively brilling!"
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 1 hr
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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