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
A thoughtful and surprisingly exciting real-life adventure tale about survival and community.
In June 2023, an unknown person abandoned four pet rabbits in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Heights Park. Over the following weeks, neighbors of all ages came together to track and trap the bunnies. Narrator Amy Jensen seamlessly blends humor with a more serious tone as she guides listeners through the extensive rescue operation as well as the origins of the park, the history of rabbit domestication, and the backgrounds of the folks who spent long, tiring days crawling through ivy and scrub to bring the rabbits to safety. Jensen’s cheerful, child-friendly tones are informative and straightforward, including when she details the highs and lows of animal rescue beyond the immediate thrill of success.
A thoughtful and surprisingly exciting real-life adventure tale about survival and community. (Nonfiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Duration: 3 hrs, 20 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668659199
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
This powerful story will stay with listeners long after the last word has been spoken.
Aria Mia Loberti masters the voice of seventh grader Roxie, expressing the jumble of emotions she feels as she struggles to fit in and find acceptance as her unique self. She was bullied at her old school because her parents are blind. Will a fresh start in a new town lead to friends who will see Roxie for who she is? Loberti also gives supporting characters unique voices. She conveys little brother Theo’s excitement, classmate Quinn’s superior attitude, and the wisdom of Charlie, a boy who also has blind parents. Jeff Ebner is outstanding as Nash, Penny’s guide dog, narrating chapters from his perspective and expressing his patience and insight.
This powerful story will stay with listeners long after the last word has been spoken. (Fiction. 9-13)Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 41 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217412556
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Aug. 4, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: today
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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