Rufus Moffat is an absolute delight as he goes to great lengths to get his library card, even before he can read. Eleanor Estes wrote this 1910 story in 1943, and it continues to charmingly regale twenty-first-century listeners. Seven-year-old Rufus has many adventures alone and with his family. He joins the girls’ baseball team hoping for lots of punch and cookie breaks, he expects to see an Indian reservation when he attends a function at the Settlement House, and he digs through ice to get money to help his family. Christina Moore perfectly captures each voice, and her Rufus demonstrates the great emotional range of a small boy making discoveries as he grows up. Moore conveys an earlier time and language, never losing her listeners. An irresistible treat for listeners of all ages.
Ages 8+Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2004
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Reader Michael Prichard delivers a convincing rendition of Archie Goodwin, the burly right hand of the portly Nero Wolfe, world-renowned gourmand and detective. Prichard preserves the 1970s setting and 1950s origins of the story, bringing listeners a well-paced narration of murder and politics--a combination of elements that usually guarantees an exciting listen. This audio entertainment is as well formed and fragrant as one of Wolfe's hothouse orchids (the stout sleuth cultivates them by the hundreds in his town house greenhouse) as Goodwin walks us through an explosive murder investigation and political wheeling and dealing in a tough yet intelligent read.
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2006
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Partners
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This collection of eight short stories contains gentle tales of fantasy and magic--not the magic of wizards and wands, but of wishing mats and enormous cats and gifts brought by the winds. In a lovely English accent, Lizza Aiken quietly narrates these stories in which magic and good fortune often come to those who deserve it. Although her pitch changes little, she registers a range of emotions--from the sadness of a girl whose necklace of raindrops has been stolen to the joy of a child who moves from a hard life and a ramshackle trailer to a happy home amid the clouds. A NECKLACE OF RAINDROPS would make a soothing choice for a family car trip after a long day.
Ages 6+Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2016
Duration: 1 hr, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781101915721
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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