Susan Vinciotti Bonito's endearing voice introduces Piccolo, a shrew who rides a scooter around his hometown in Italy. He makes a daily to-do list that includes his favorite places and is on his way to the gelateria for his favorite flavor--hazelnut--when he sees Mr. Russo struggling to take his painting to the art museum. Piccolo helps and deletes one item from his list. Listeners join him when he helps Brother Matis repair an ancient ruin and assists florist Miss Sophia with unloading her flowers. The story is told in Bonito's pitch-perfect adult and juvenile voices. Traditional Italian accordion music accompanies Piccolo as he exemplifies helping others while eliminating items from his to-dos. A list of Italian words and expressions rounds out this delightful children's production.
(Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2025
Duration: 8 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668651711
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A thoughtful and surprisingly exciting real-life adventure tale about survival and community.
In June 2023, an unknown person abandoned four pet rabbits in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Heights Park. Over the following weeks, neighbors of all ages came together to track and trap the bunnies. Narrator Amy Jensen seamlessly blends humor with a more serious tone as she guides listeners through the extensive rescue operation as well as the origins of the park, the history of rabbit domestication, and the backgrounds of the folks who spent long, tiring days crawling through ivy and scrub to bring the rabbits to safety. Jensen’s cheerful, child-friendly tones are informative and straightforward, including when she details the highs and lows of animal rescue beyond the immediate thrill of success.
A thoughtful and surprisingly exciting real-life adventure tale about survival and community. (Nonfiction. 8-12)Pub Date: yesterday
Duration: 3 hrs, 20 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668659199
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
This powerful story will stay with listeners long after the last word has been spoken.
Aria Mia Loberti masters the voice of seventh grader Roxie, expressing the jumble of emotions she feels as she struggles to fit in and find acceptance as her unique self. She was bullied at her old school because her parents are blind. Will a fresh start in a new town lead to friends who will see Roxie for who she is? Loberti also gives supporting characters unique voices. She conveys little brother Theo’s excitement, classmate Quinn’s superior attitude, and the wisdom of Charlie, a boy who also has blind parents. Jeff Ebner is outstanding as Nash, Penny’s guide dog, narrating chapters from his perspective and expressing his patience and insight.
This powerful story will stay with listeners long after the last word has been spoken. (Fiction. 9-13)Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 41 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217412556
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Aug. 4, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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