Narrator Angela Dawe conjures the joy of dancing in this enchanting fantasy. At St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theater in 1892, human dancers are preparing to debut Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet. Behind the scenes, the Russian Mouse Ballet Company wonders how they can possibly re-create a ballet in which mice are the enemy. Dawe brings spirit and sweetness to the roles of Esmeralda, the Mouse Ballet's irrepressible new dancer, and Irina, the human girl who discovers a dancing mouse and longs to know more about her. The villains sound appropriately scary, especially the terrifying Gherkin, who plans to rid the theater of mice. Dawe's spot-on pronunciation of French ballet terms and Russian proper names makes this audiobook accessible to young listeners, but the appeal is universal.
(Animal fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: Oct. 24, 2017
Duration: 4 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781536685435
Publisher: Brilliance Audio/ Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Bramhall embraces the storytelling tone that has built this series.
Mark Bramhall, who read the first two audiobooks in this series, now brings listeners the final installment in a satisfying conclusion. His narration shows his deep understanding of the characters—Orris, a rat, and Timble, an owl—as well as their unlikely friendship. He excellently executes grouchy Orris’ outward crabbiness and his more vulnerable interiority. Bramhall portrays young, patient Timble’s affection for the owl and his desire for Orris to experience the joy of flight with him. By the audiobook’s end, both flight and trust are achieved and the pair shares a new level of happiness. The final scene celebrates the magic these tales have brought to devoted fans.
Bramhall embraces the storytelling tone that has built this series. (Early chapter book. 7-9)Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Duration: 18 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593861905
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: today
A thoughtful audio presentation that works best when paired with the beautiful book.
Shaun Taylor-Corbett, whose heritage includes Blackfeet, narrates Sibert honoree Nelson‘s (Hunkpapa Lakota–Standing Rock Sioux) picture-book presentation of Lakota principles as embodied in the natural world. The name of each animal, from buffalo to frog to horse and more, is presented in both English and Lakota, followed by a sentence or two of description and explanation of how their behaviors inform the Lakota way of life. Taylor-Corbett’s light, earnest voice is a good tonal match with the text, and he smoothly incorporates the Lakota vocabulary into his delivery. His pacing is measured, granting the animals the respect they’re due and allowing little listeners following along with the print book to linger on each page to take in the details of Nelson’s illustrations, which are inspired by traditional Lakota artwork.
A thoughtful audio presentation that works best when paired with the beautiful book. (Picture book. 6-10)Pub Date: March 17, 2026
Duration: 7 mins
DD ISBN: 9798898850357
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: tomorrow
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