by Patricia MacLachlan ; illustrated by Emilia Dzubiak ; Read by Cassandra Morris ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 17, 2020
Narrator Cassandra Morris sweeps listeners into an enchanted tale filled with friendship, humor, and just the right amount of magic. Morris voices main character Grace, an aspiring young writer, with notes of awe and wonder. Her Aunt Lily, a distracted author, is portrayed with flustered and disheartened tones. When Rex, a kind-eyed Labrador retriever, appears at Aunt Lily's front door, Grace's excitement is audible. Rex has a unique way of communicating with his new friends, and while he never verbally speaks, the love he has for Grace and Lily is made obvious through Morris's narration. This heartwarming and expertly narrated chapter book about a girl, a dog, and the power of stories is sure to captivate and inspire young listeners.
(Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: March 17, 2020
Duration: 1 hr
DD ISBN: 9780062971708
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Mary Boone ; Read by Ellie Gossage ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 17, 2026
Gosage delivers these scientifically-sound oceanic anecdotes with an easy-listening appeal.
Narrator Ellie Gosage speaks to middle-grade listeners as a friend, her tone changing with each ocean-themed topic. Gosage’s conversational narration reflects the book’s plain language. Her tone ranges from amused, as in “Blubber Blunder,” about a town’s attempt to destroy an 8-ton whale carcass with a half-ton of dynamite, to impressed, as in “The (Dog’s) Nose Knows,” about one dog’s unique ability to locate floating whale poop from a half-mile away while on a boat. (The excrement is used to capture DNA information.) In a chapter about a grieving orca, Gosage’s narration is especially soulful.
Gosage delivers these scientifically-sound oceanic anecdotes with an easy-listening appeal. (10-12)Pub Date: Feb. 17, 2026
Duration: 3 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217172764
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
by Matthew Burgess ; Read by Taisha Cameron ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 27, 2026
By honoring Mungo’s earned confidence, this cozy episode boosts young listeners’ own.
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
Taisha Cameron voices this tale of a young fox on his first solo adventure. It’s November, and the red berries are calling out to young Mungo. With a nod of assent from his mother, the kit ventures out into the countryside. Menaces, both real and imagined, faze Mungo but do not stop him, and the reward for both fox and listeners is pure joy. Children who listen as they page through the print edition will see both in Julie Benbassat’s winsome illustrations. Burgess’ text is subtly rhythmic and powerfully sensory; Cameron nimbly navigates both aspects. Her gentle voice carries listeners along with sensitive precision.
By honoring Mungo’s earned confidence, this cozy episode boosts young listeners’ own.Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 6 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063478251
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.