What an excellent example of how an audiobook can turn a mediocre story retold from a Grimm tale into a delightful listening experience! Babbitt does a good job with the retelling, and Marcellino’s illustrations are bold and evocative, but it is Martin Jarvis’s narration that truly lifts this story out of the ordinary. His well-modulated, relaxed speech, accurate inflection, and British accent create the mood. His pitch, tone, and nuance create distinct voices for the greedy, arrogant King; sweet and innocent Marcho; the kindly and coy grandmother; and the sleazy devil himself. The use of page-turning signals rather than beeps allows the story to flow, and the musical interludes are soft enough to remain in the background while enhancing the mood, setting, and plot. Outstanding! (Due to some of the language, this might be more appropriate for upper-elementary students or family listening.)
Ages 4-6Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2000
Duration: 30 mins
Publisher: Live Oak Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Lemony Snicket, who became known for challenging listeners’ vocabularies in his Series of Unfortunate Events, chooses 13 seemingly random words and arranges them into the story of a “despondent” bird and a dog who tries to cheer his friend by visiting a “haberdashery” to buy a hat with “panache.” Michael Emerson’s intonations and phrasing allow listeners to picture characters and settings even without Maira Kalman's illustrations. He encourages listeners to savor the sounds of words as the author intended. Who wouldn’t buy a hat from a breathy sales-baby who describes “panache” as “a kind of verve or swagger”? In an amazing artistic interpretation, Snicket’s final word, “mezzo-soprano,” becomes an opera of the book, created by real-life composer Nico Muhly.
Ages 8+Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2010
Duration: 6 mins
DD ISBN: 9781443404433
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Author and narrator Enrique Flores-Galbis is a master of duality in this nuanced story of the Cuban revolution. His writing and narration are superb. In both, his humble style of storytelling is arresting. When revolution comes to Cuba, Julian is just a boy. He doesn’t even know what a revolution is. In leaving Cuba and losing his family, Julian finds new ways in which he’s both vulnerable and strong. Flores-Galbis’s voice embodies the contradictions of Julian’s experience. We hear that vulnerability in a soft, almost hesitant, voice; underneath is a quiet confidence. The pacing ebbs and flows as naturally as the tide between Havana and Miami as Julian figures out what is right and determines to do his part to help.
Ages 10+Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
Duration: 6 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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