Narrator Robin Miles uses a unique cadence to fit this short, lyrical history of the Africans and their descendants who were brought by force to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade. Loosely rhyming, the story's audible backbone is Robin Miles's perfect pacing and well-placed emphasis. Her tone rises and falls as through generations, wars, births, deaths, and joys, the listener hears history and the repeated phrase: "the people remember." The "people" are the many proud tribes and nations of Africa and generations of their children. Through their history, the listener learns the reason for the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Ibi Zoboi reads her author's note explaining her inspired pairing of Kwanzaa and African-American history. A printed timeline and note are included. Suitable for listening year-round.
(Picture book. 7-adult)Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2021
Duration: 24 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063226784
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Vega’s performance conveys strength and pride befitting this ode to the island and its people.
Jenyvette Vega narrates these poems, which chronicle Puerto Rico's struggle for self-determination. She shifts seamlessly between Spanish and English as listeners learn about the history of the flag and what it represents to the Puerto Rican people, as well as about key events in Puerto Rican history and the Puerto Rican diaspora. Vega reads at a gentle pace appropriate for young listeners. A preface provides background on Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States, and an included PDF details the history of the people and events portrayed in the poems.
Vega’s performance conveys strength and pride befitting this ode to the island and its people. (Picture book/poetry. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 33 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063577176
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2026
Chock-full of historical trivia—but the sheer quantity and the accompanying sound effects prove to be disorienting.
This audiobook collects a huge array of random historical anecdotes. Jaunty music opens the recording before Australian narrator Rebecca Ho presents the widely varying historical curiosities, with subjects ranging from royals to festivals to apparel and much more. The anecdotes are organized under eight broader sections, such as Culture, Exploration, and Food, but they’re not presented in any particular order. Paired with the narration is a bevy of continuous, distracting sound effects—goofy music, raucous laughter, whinnying horses, and buzzing flies, to name just a few.
Chock-full of historical trivia—but the sheer quantity and the accompanying sound effects prove to be disorienting. (Nonfiction. 9-12)Pub Date: July 28, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 37 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250462596
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 15, 2026
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