Narrator Susan Denaker does a splendid job with this fourth in the Penderwick series. Although part of a large blended family, each of the Penderwick kids is distinct, along with their many friends and neighbors. At center stage is Batty, who sounds determined and earnest as she begins a dog-walking business (with hilarious consequences) to help raise money for the family. Adorable little brother Ben and spoiled baby Lydia add to the confusion and fun. Denaker is impressive with the foreign languages that the family members occasionally use. She's also very moving as Batty copes with the double loss of her mother--who died at her birth--and her beloved dog, Hound. Listeners will enjoy the feeling of nostalgia that permeates this contemporary novel.
(Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: March 24, 2015
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780553552164
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Author Drew Daywalt serves as primary narrator of this first book in a new Crayon series. Daywalt describes Duncan's surprise when he learns his errant crayons have left again. They all send back letters that recount their adventures and discoveries, and the new friends they've met. A large cast, including narration luminaries like Michael Crouch and Tara Sands, portray the 10 crayons. Music, sound effects, and the accents and attitudes of many different voices individualize the crayons, starting with Red, who extinguishes fires and makes the acquaintance of his toy fire truck, and ending with Brown, who falls in love with a stick. At the end, Daywalt gathers all the crayons together, and against a loud party background, the crayons speak up with final words.
(Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: June 3, 2025
Duration: 11 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217169573
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This love letter to Hawaiian culture, performed by Barrie Kealoha, follows a girl raised with hula and ancestral pride. The reprises of "what hula taught her" add structure to an otherwise thin plot. Kealoha fluidly delivers the vocabulary of her culture that are peppered throughout the English rhymes. Her soothing voice adds a lullaby quality that is perfect for young children. Slight pauses alert the listener when she reaches the end of each page, making this production a perfect companion for the listener who has the book in hand. Experiencing this audiobook without looking at the vibrant pictures would yield only half the experience for the audience.
(Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2025
Duration: 8 mins
DD ISBN: 9781666688696
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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