Cornelia Funke’s passion for children’s fantasy shines in this audiobook filled with wondrous and otherworldly charm. Ruffleclaw, an earth monster, decides to move in with a human family. He befriends the boy, Tommy, first. Funke provides a raspy, endearing voice for Ruffleclaw’s colorful exclamations—just two examples: “totally creepy-crawladocious!” when he listens to jingly music and “mouse poop!” when he’s lectured for drinking all the shampoo. Ruffleclaw’s first encounter with Tommy’s mother is a hoot, with her frantic shrieks and Ruffleclaw’s growling and hissing monster threats. Ruffleclaw’s hilarious play date with monster friends Shaggystink and Wormtooth, who come to visit, will have children laughing out loud.
(Fantasy. 7-10)Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2015
Duration: 1 hr, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780553395419
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The combination of sound effects and Quinn's exaggerated character voices make this animation for the ears.
Joshua Quinn narrates this short book featuring Waffles, a friendly dog who wants a hug, and his haughty housemate, Julius the cat. Quinn gives each a fitting voice—eager and goofy for Waffles, slow and somewhat disdainful for Julius. The two interact in typical cat and dog fashion. Classic cartoon-style sound effects accompany Waffles' attempts to hug his friend. Boings, zings, cymbal crashes, howling, meowing, and more punctuate the music and narration. Julius is not interested in hugs. After a day of trying, Waffles finally settles down for a nap to the sound of a music box lullaby. A tired Julius snuggles in beside him.
The combination of sound effects and Quinn's exaggerated character voices make this animation for the ears. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 7 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250443540
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: July 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 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: June 30, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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