Harrington's debut novel about a girl who stutters when talking to people is fully realized in Camilia O'Grady's crisp, thoughtful narration. In alternating chapters, Maggie and an abandoned snow leopard cub meet in Wildoak Forest, where she is sent to live. O'Grady's performance of Maggie's stuttering sounds authentic, filled with frustration when she's unable to speak up when she wants to and confused about not stuttering as she talks to animals. Other characters are similarly crafted. Maggie's grandfather, Fred, is tender, calm, and understanding; her mother is insecure, her father is arrogant, and Lord Foy is manipulative and disdainful. The tension between Fred and Maggie's father is palpable. This charming story of owning exotic pets and the destruction of forested areas satisfies.
(Fiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Sept. 20, 2022
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781338876864
Publisher: Scholastic Audiobooks
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In her clear, expressive voice, bilingual narrator M.L. Sanchez tells the exciting story of mouse siblings Vida and Máximo. The town of Moustepec was once happy, but the threat of a cat forces residents to stay home. There are no more fiestas, no more fireworks, and no more music. When a scary encounter with the cat results in Vida's dream about a fantastical creature called an alebrije, it inspires a plan to get rid of the cat once and for all with the help of the whole town. An extensive author's note offers a history of the Mexican tradition of the alebrije; another note reveals the story's inspiration. Sanchez's pacing adds to this enjoyable adventure for young listeners.
(Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2025
Duration: 12 mins
DD ISBN: 9798349108686
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Robb Moreira summons a mythic tone for this original spinoff of the Aztec creation story. In Higuera's story, the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl's lesser-known brother, Xolotl, recounts "what really happened." Xolo has a dog's head, paws, and, most importantly, a love of humankind. Moreira's declamatory tones suit the epic nature of the story but also sometimes flatten the nuances of Higuera's characterizations. Listeners who don't seek out the print edition to accompany the audiobook will miss illustrator Mariana Ruiz Johnson's strikingly stylized figures, colorfully lush design, and critical narrative detail that's often communicated only in the illustrations. Those who do read and listen will occasionally find themselves zooming past wordless sequences that demand close attention. Both otherworldly and sweet--and perhaps best enjoyed in print.
(Mythology. 7-10)Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2025
Duration: 1 hr
DD ISBN: 9798899735035
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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