Inspired by former football player Emmanuel Acho's popular video series, this audiobook is aimed primarily at young listeners who are unfamiliar with the basic concepts, history, and effects of systemic racism in America. The intent is to help kids along "the road to antiracist allyship," and narrator Landon Woodson supports this intent with the serious, encouraging tone of a friendly coach. While he covers topics that are complicated and often grim, Woodson's conversational style keeps the material grounded, and his pacing is slow enough to follow yet brisk enough that it doesn't lapse into a lecture. This adaptation may not be the most comprehensive audiobook about racism for kids, but it provides a solid listening experience, making it a useful tool for youth, caregivers, and educators.
(Nonfiction. 10-14)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
Duration: 5 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781250802149
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Addressing young listeners directly, animal behaviorist Temple Grandin reads the introduction to her work on cognitive differences, with Andrea Gallo taking over the narration of the main text. It is nominally a celebration of cognitive multiplicity, with visual thinkers, like the author, complementing verbal thinkers. There's lots of empowerment for visual thinkers here, but Grandin's text often turns her appreciation of what different brains can do into harangues against engineers, the educational system, and helicopter and snowplow parenting. Gallo's warm, even delivery assumes tones of muted outrage for these lectures in order to meet the author's energy, such that the experience of listening is something of a gentle pummeling. Even the young listeners Grandin most hopes to encourage--visual thinkers like her--may emerge exhausted.
(Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Nov. 28, 2023
Duration: 7 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593745281
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Lisa Ling's informative introductions lead in to her storytelling as she delivers delectable food-based tales drawn from Chinese culture. In a conversational tone, Ling describes an iconic dish, offering historical context, etymology, or myth and capturing the warmth of the author toward these foods. She then transitions to tales about dragons, monks, emperors, and other heroes. Ling's transitions are fluid whether she's shifting from Chinese to English or giving context before relating a folktale. Harp-like notes signal transitions to stories, and other sound effects emphasize elements within them. Grace Lin furthers the audio experience by reading her author's note. There is also beautifully illustrated downloadable material. From wonton soup to fortune cookies, this audio will fill listeners up with wonder and knowledge.
(Nonfiction. 8-13)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023
Duration: 6 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781668632598
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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