With aplomb, translator and narrator David Bowles delivers a wide-ranging collection of traditional tales from Native cultures across the Americas. Speaking in American-accented English, Bowles manages to be expressive and serious without veering into hokeyness; his unobtrusive approach gives primacy to the stories themselves. Packed with gods and humans, creation and transformation, the stories all begin with a few lines of verse, which aids in transitioning from one brief tale to the next. Some listeners may prefer to take in only a few tracks at a time so that they're not overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of characters and cultures depicted. Regardless of how listeners choose to experience it, this accessible audio anthology is both important and entertaining.
(Traditional stories. 8-18)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2021
Duration: 5 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781662072901
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Addressing young listeners directly, animal behaviorist Temple Grandin reads the introduction to her work on cognitive differences, with Andrea Gallo taking over the narration of the main text. It is nominally a celebration of cognitive multiplicity, with visual thinkers, like the author, complementing verbal thinkers. There's lots of empowerment for visual thinkers here, but Grandin's text often turns her appreciation of what different brains can do into harangues against engineers, the educational system, and helicopter and snowplow parenting. Gallo's warm, even delivery assumes tones of muted outrage for these lectures in order to meet the author's energy, such that the experience of listening is something of a gentle pummeling. Even the young listeners Grandin most hopes to encourage--visual thinkers like her--may emerge exhausted.
(Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Nov. 28, 2023
Duration: 7 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593745281
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Lisa Ling's informative introductions lead in to her storytelling as she delivers delectable food-based tales drawn from Chinese culture. In a conversational tone, Ling describes an iconic dish, offering historical context, etymology, or myth and capturing the warmth of the author toward these foods. She then transitions to tales about dragons, monks, emperors, and other heroes. Ling's transitions are fluid whether she's shifting from Chinese to English or giving context before relating a folktale. Harp-like notes signal transitions to stories, and other sound effects emphasize elements within them. Grace Lin furthers the audio experience by reading her author's note. There is also beautifully illustrated downloadable material. From wonton soup to fortune cookies, this audio will fill listeners up with wonder and knowledge.
(Nonfiction. 8-13)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023
Duration: 6 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781668632598
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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