by Jonah Winter ; illustrated by AG Ford ; Read by Ezra Knight ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 22, 2009
Barack Obama's fascinating life story is briefly recounted by author and poet Jonah Winter. Narrator Ezra Knight has a melodious voice much like Obama's. He tells the beautiful and unique story in a manner that complements the biography. Obama's international life, exotic pets, diverse schools, and loving family are perfectly captured, as well as his questioning of his own identity: "Who am I? Where do I belong?" As Obama matures, he finds answers through the Civil Rights movement and the work of Martin Luther King, Jr., parts of the story that Knight delivers with just the right touch. Movingly, Obama's own books are highlighted for young listeners. This production can function as a read-along, as one version has page-turn signals.
Ages 6+Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2009
Duration: 15 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Dan Shaughnessy ; illustrated by C.F. Payne ; Read by Ken Coleman ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
Ken Coleman's expertise as a baseball announcer enriches this history of the Boston Red Sox since the sale of Babe Ruth to the N.Y. Yankees. He leads off with a grim account of this transaction, which started the curse that has plagued the Red Sox ever since. The sermon-like tone will amuse non-believers and comfort listeners who are certain the team is cursed. Like the ups and downs of Boston's play through the years, the narrator's voice fluctuates--exuberant and then despondent--in tone and tempo accurately reflecting the mood of any given baseball season. The narrator is very successful at conveying the emotional roller coaster ride Red Sox fans have endured as a result of the curse of the Bambino.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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by Alice Faye Duncan ; illustrated by Carl Joe Williams ; Read by John Elbe ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 27, 2026
A joyous, respectful introduction to the King of the Blues.
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Bookended by a bluesy guitar riff, John Elbe’s resonant narration takes young listeners to rural, Jim Crow-era Mississippi to tell the story of the great B.B. King. In the sounds of a preacher's guitar and a blues-loving aunt's Victrola, little Riley B. King found music early: a $15 guitar he purchased at age 12 with money earned from picking cotton set him on his way. Elbe mimics the twangs of Riley’s guitar as the boy begins to master the instrument, his voice gathering power as the now-grown King’s career takes off. Duncan’s account smoothly backgrounds her subject’s climb to success with the realities of poverty and segregation. An accompanying PDF of the print edition’s backmatter provides a timeline and further resources.
A joyous, respectful introduction to the King of the Blues.Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063459649
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 9, 2026
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