Peter Brown turns the tables as he explores the possibility of a wild animal choosing a human for a pet. Lucille Beatrice Bear brings home Squeaker, a boisterous, seemingly unattached boy. Is it any surprise that all the same parental reasons for opposing the proposition of a pet apply in this situation as well? Emily Eiden alternates smoothly between the even-voiced narrator and the roles of the enthusiastic bear (“Can I keep him, PLEASE?”) and the doubting parent (“Squeaker is YOUR responsibility.”). Eiden speeds and slows, providing time for listeners to pore over the detailed illustrations. An interview with the author/illustrator, which expands upon his inspiration for the book, and a jaunty “terrible pets” song conclude the production.
Ages 4-6Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2011
Duration: 6 mins
Publisher: Weston Woods Studios
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A classic story of high adventure and conflict between good and evil placed in the mythical land of Prydain, The Book of Three is read grippingly and enchantingly by Chris King. Vocal switches are mostly smooth with a few minor pronunciation slips which are quickly corrected. King's voice is clear, easy to understand and memorable, giving the listener a sense of the characters as well as a pronunciation guide to those incredible Gaelic names Alexander uses. Both the characters and the story linger in the mind's eye because of the quality of narration. This is surely a reading that can be listened to again and again and will leave the listeners asking for the entire Prydain series on tape.
AGES 8+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Posy Bates is back, this time with a dog left over from a pet show. Back also are baby Fred and her friend, Sam. But the star of the show is Posy herself, an energetic nine-year-old with a penchant for misadventure. Judy Bennett's rendering of each of the characters in this episodic family story is right on the mark. Her enunciation and impeccable timing clarify the idiomatic text so that its unusual words become another aspect of the book's pleasure. The irrepressible Posy is her greatest challenge, and Bennett gets high marks. She bubbles with enthusiasm, wails and squeals, and dies over and over again. "It's positively brilling!"
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 1 hr
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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