Author Muon Thi Van narrates this moving story inspired by her own Vietnamese family's perilous journey as refugees. Muon's simple words, delivered in a quiet, solemn voice, are powerfully enhanced by Victo Ngai's evocative illustrations in the companion picture book. Each double-page spread depicts an emotionally charged scene and a wish for something essential: "The path wished it was shorter." "The heart wished it was stronger." Melancholy music and subtle environmental sound effects work in perfect harmony with the narration and pictures as the story progresses from dark and fearful beginnings to a brighter, hopeful future. Muon's deliberate pacing allows for close observation of the detailed illustrations and time for reflection. Author and artist notes add personal and contextual insights.
(Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: 2021
Duration: 5 mins
DD ISBN:
Publisher: Weston Woods Studios
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Live Oak Media recently caught our attention with this new read-along book and cassette program. We listened first, and were so delighted we couldn't wait to get the book. The picture book made the experience even better, but the audio recordings was strong and vibrant by itself. THE GARDENER, Sarah Stewart's Depression-era story of a young girl sent to live with her Uncle Jim in the city has a sweet, wistful quality with narration alone, but coupled with David Small's soft-edged pencil illustration, it's a total delight. The reading is repeated on both sides of the tape, one with and without page-turning signals.
Pub Date:
Duration: N/A
Publisher: Live Oak Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Cousins Avery and Jax don't have much in common, including their feelings about a summer at their family's crumbling island vacation home. She thinks it's a great adventure, and he'd rather be anywhere else. Narrator Kate Coventry embodies Avery's open, exuberant, and sometimes thoughtless behavior, while Pete Cross makes clear to listeners how much quiet Jax is impacted by his father's overbearing nature. As they help clean the place up to sell it, they find pages torn from a diary that may uncover what drove their parents away from the island and each other years before. Cassandra Morris's brief narration of the mysterious diarist is compelling in its simplicity. Narrators Kate Coventry and Pete Cross provide vivacity to this exploration of family history and regrets.
(Mystery. 9-12)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798225027049
Publisher: Scholastic Audiobooks
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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