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: Jan. 30, 2018
Duration: 5 hrs, 18 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062820945
Publisher: Harper Audio
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: N/A
Duration: N/A
Publisher: Live Oak Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Mirai's renderings of Kestrel, her family, and fellow workers at the institute thoughtfully depict the protagonists' growth.
Kestrel and her mother leave the home in California they share with Kestrel's grandfather, a pastor, to stay at a wildlife conservation institute in Montana. Narrator Mirai's youthful voice is a natural fit for this story of a young girl who at first resents being tricked into leaving California, but who later comes to realize that moving away from their strict home life was the right choice. Mirai employs distinctive voices for the adults, like Kestrel's stern grandfather and her uncertain mother, who begins gaining confidence. An author's note at the end discusses emotional abuse and how to find help.
Mirai's renderings of Kestrel, her family, and fellow workers at the institute thoughtfully depict the protagonists' growth. (Verse fiction. 9-14)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 42 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668175507
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2026
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