by Megan McDonald ; illustrated by Jane Manning ; read by Jessica Almasy ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 22, 2005
As Beetle's class learns about the food world, Beetle decorates the top of her food pyramid with an ant and--and faster than one can say "disgusting"--she's on her way to creating a new food group, living up to a dare to EAT an ant, and testing out more new taste thrills. It takes the arrival of Chef Suzanne and her delicious dishes to boost Beetle's failing sense of adventure. Jessica Almasy narrates with the energy needed to depict this second-grade classroom. Her voice rises and falls, speeds and slows in synch with Beetle's waxing and waning enthusiasm for food exploration. As various classmates, Almasy supports or taunts with childlike vigor. Enjoy Beetle's fun facts about insects and their nutritional value!
Ages 4-6Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2005
Duration: 1 hr
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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by Nicholas Day ; read by Maxwell Glick ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 8, 2026
Glick's animated delivery is a great match for this unique peek at a common but surprisingly enigmatic creature.
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Maxwell Glick narrates this nonfiction book about eels and scientific exploration with audible amusement and enthusiasm. Glick is humorously upbeat as he reveals how little we actually know about the threatened but once-ubiquitous eel. Young listeners will be able to imagine that they are eels and may be surprised to learn that for many years, people believed Aristotle’s theory that eels sprang spontaneously from mud. Author Day shares interesting tidbits, such as the fact that all American and European eels originate from and eventually return to the Sargasso Sea. But perhaps the most humbling fact is that scientists still don't know everything—especially when it comes to eels.
Glick's animated delivery is a great match for this unique peek at a common but surprisingly enigmatic creature. (Informational picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Duration: 20 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217352708
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Oct. 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2026
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by Dashka Slater ; read by Amy Jensen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 8, 2026
A thoughtful and surprisingly exciting real-life adventure tale about survival and community.
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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
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