Acclaimed narrator Simon Vance brings his special blend of magic and cheek to Lev Grossman's middle-grade debut. In a moment of ennui, Kate requests an 11th birthday present from her estranged uncle and, surprisingly, is given a fully functioning life-size steam train. Her younger brother, Thomas, joins her on a fantastic adventure in which they pick up all manner of chatty animal passengers all over the world. Vance's character voices are perfect for the young train conductors, and his choices for the animals are exceptional. They include a burly porcupine, a kindly, wise heron, and many others--all of whom have deft accents that indicate their national habitats. This story of wonder serves up a gently delivered message about conservation and the effect of humans on the animal world.
(Fantasy. 8-10)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
Duration: 4 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781549158506
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Henry's parents are kidnapped while they travel the world. Henry is confused and lost when he's sent to his aunt, uncle, and cousins in Kansas. His bewilderment increases when the plaster of his bedroom walls cracks to disclose 100 strange cupboards that are portals to odd places. Vivid descriptions of fascinating lands hold listeners' attention through the story's many unexplained facts as does the steady, solid narration by Russell Horton. Horton accurately modulates the characters' up-and-down emotions, adapting his pace quickly to the changes. Listeners are able to keep up with the rapidly introduced characters because of Horton's stand-out portrayals.
Ages 8+Pub Date: Dec. 26, 2007
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780739362778
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A cast of narrators shares these stories, each told from the point of view of a supporting character from Riordan's Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series. We hear from Halfborn Gunderson, Samirah al-Abbas, Alex Fierro, and more. In "So's Your Face!" narrator Sile Bermingham gives fiery einherji Mallory Keen an Irish lilt, and in "I Play with Fire," Bahni Turpin gets to pull out the stops creating voices for a meeting of immortals in Muspellheim. Riordan's signature humor is here--Thor makes a guest appearance in each story, running through the nine worlds in his leather short shorts. The characterizations might not quite match what listeners heard in earlier installments, but diehard Magnus Chase fans can still enjoy this collection.
(Fantasy. 8-14)Pub Date: Oct. 2, 2018
Duration: 3 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780525641834
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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