Mac Barnett and illustrator Shawn Harris narrate their audiobook with abandon, further embellishing their quirky writing. Listeners meet the Moon Queen, who is poisoned by soup, giving her protector, the First Cat, the challenge of finding an antidote in 24 hours. Barnett and Harris excel at creating their own sound effects, adding fitting music that will evoke nostalgic pleasure in older listeners, and providing wordplay and puns that will crack up everyone. Especially memorable are the silly humor and even zanier characters whose eccentric personalities emerge via their over-the-top voices and "shameless" promotions for Book 1 of their series. Hilariously rendered subplots, such as building a piano factory atop a skyscraper--with predictable consequences--add belly laughs. This unforgettable listening experience should vie mightily with the print edition of the graphic novel.
(Graphic science fiction. 8-11)Pub Date: Oct. 3, 2023
Duration: 1 hr, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063336025
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ciaran Saward's zany delivery is perfect for a young audience that thrives on silly nonstop action and striking sound effects. Selfish, bullying Monkey is sent into space but soon crash-lands in a forest, which he decides to colonize. When genial Bunny realizes this, he gathers Pig and Weenie Squirrel--all humorously rendered--to save their peaceful home from the intruder. Seward incorporates instructional tidbits, for example, how bats navigate. The most fun are Skunk, Monkey's megalomaniac inventor, and French-accented Le Fox, who just wants to be left alone. Sound effects such as the snoring of a hibernating bear take listeners into the action. Audio enriches delightful wordplay, and older audiences will hear references to current events.
(Graphic fantasy. 6-10)Pub Date: July 1, 2025
Duration: 3 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781038029454
Publisher: Bolinda Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Narrator léonore Crépin leads a full-cast adaptation of a children's graphic novel. When Adèle gets her first period, she's in for a big surprise--suddenly, she can see ghosts! Many women in Adèle's family have been mediums, and now her world has gotten a lot noisier. Crépin gives Adèle a youthful and emotional tone. Her voice reflects Adèle's growing confidence as she meets more ghosts and learns to use her gift to help save them and her Montreal neighborhood. Her supportive older sister, Helen, portrayed by Maxine Denis, is thrilled that Adèle is a medium, while her wary grandmother, narrated by Gayle Garfinkle, wants her to steer clear of ghosts. Spirited music, sound effects, and a narrative from Jeff Irving help listeners visualize the wintry scenes.
(Graphic paranormal. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2024
Duration: 1 hr, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217014552
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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