Narrator Cassandra Morris's youthful voice contributes to the lighthearted tone of the first book in a new series. The seven quirky, capable Problim siblings are left alone while their parents are off on an archaeological expedition. Morris handles their individual identities and capabilities as easily as the children deal with the explosion of one home and the move to another, inherited from their grandfather. Can they solve the riddle that leads to treasure and fend off the menace of their greedy neighbor, Desdemona O'pinion? Morris's narration appreciates the author's whimsical inventions such as the construct that the children's gifts relate to their different birthdays and the rhyme that begins "Monday's child is fair of face." Wit comes from Frida's rhymes and Baby Toot's farts, their scents and sounds reflecting the family members' moods.
(Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: 2018
Duration: 5 hrs, 18 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062820945
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Complete with creative production touches, the result is a dark, satisfying listen.
Listeners don't just experience a fascinating historical drama--they also become steeped in a bloody gothic Western. Stellar performances are the center of this compelling listening experience. Narrator Marin Ireland fully embodies the beleaguered humanities professor who, while deep diving into the campus archive, discovers the story of her ancestors. At the same time, she is struggling with her tenure committee. In a deft transition back to 1912, Owen Teale's performance of a Lutheran pastor exhibits gravitas as he slowly unwinds the secrets of his relationship with Good Stab, a Blackfeet Indian who mysteriously appears in his congregation. Shane Ghostkeeper provides Good Stab with a subtle yet ferocious performance as the two face each other's buried truths.
Complete with creative production touches, the result is a dark, satisfying listen.Pub Date: N/A
Duration: N/A
DD ISBN: 9789876543210
Publisher: Vicky Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 7, 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: N/A
Duration: N/A
Publisher: Live Oak Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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