Settle in, listeners, for an epic adventure in the Enchanted Forest, where humans, anthropomorphic animals, and fairy-tale characters attempt to coexist. When Ursula Brown arrives to be governess for young Teddy Vaughn, what does she encounter but a slew of oddball characters—including a girl in a bear suit, an inscrutable nurse, townspeople who are ready to come to blows, and a love interest—all brought together amid mystery and melodrama. Katherine Kellgren’s high-intensity narration brings all the characters to life. When the doorknob rattles at night, Kellgren’s high pitch portrays Ursula’s quaking under her covers. Kellgren fills Mr. Vaughn’s Latin quotes with aristocratic authority. And she makes Mrs. Shoe sound just as repulsive as someone who cares more about money than her daughter should sound. Kellgren’s interpretations are to be treasured.
(Fantasy. 10-16)Pub Date: 2015
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780553556216
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A classic story of high adventure and conflict between good and evil placed in the mythical land of Prydain, The Book of Three is read grippingly and enchantingly by Chris King. Vocal switches are mostly smooth with a few minor pronunciation slips which are quickly corrected. King's voice is clear, easy to understand and memorable, giving the listener a sense of the characters as well as a pronunciation guide to those incredible Gaelic names Alexander uses. Both the characters and the story linger in the mind's eye because of the quality of narration. This is surely a reading that can be listened to again and again and will leave the listeners asking for the entire Prydain series on tape.
AGES 8+Pub Date:
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Posy Bates is back, this time with a dog left over from a pet show. Back also are baby Fred and her friend, Sam. But the star of the show is Posy herself, an energetic nine-year-old with a penchant for misadventure. Judy Bennett's rendering of each of the characters in this episodic family story is right on the mark. Her enunciation and impeccable timing clarify the idiomatic text so that its unusual words become another aspect of the book's pleasure. The irrepressible Posy is her greatest challenge, and Bennett gets high marks. She bubbles with enthusiasm, wails and squeals, and dies over and over again. "It's positively brilling!"
Pub Date:
Duration: 1 hr
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
