In the sequel to WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU O.J., narrator Abigail Revasch takes on the personalities of Zelly Fried; her pistol of a younger brother, Sam; and her eccentric Yiddish-speaking grandfather, Ace. Now that Zelly's family has finally gotten a pet, problems with the dog (also named Ace) abound. Will Zelly ever get his enthusiastic puppy urges under control? Equally exasperating are the exploits of grandfather Ace, who seems to have forgotten his love for his late wife, Bubbles, as he gallivants off with various lady friends. Revasch is a natural as she delivers the conversations of Zelly and her friends, capturing the easygoing tones, quick retorts, and fickle enthusiasms of young alliances. As Sam, Revasch punctuates tense situations with the straightforward comments of a youngster. Revasch's quick pacing is well matched to this humorous family story.
(Fiction. 9-12)Pub Date: June 11, 2013
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780385393294
Publisher: Listening Library
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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