The upstairs Cranstons, who are human, prepare for a voyage to Europe to find a husband for daughter Olivia, and, surprisingly, the downstairs Cranstons, who are mice, find themselves going on the same outing. Advised by a wise relative that the way to keep one’s family together is to open one’s arms, eldest mouse Helena embraces the mores of Victorian society as she keeps her siblings in line onboard ship. Who knows who will find a husband! Jayne Entwistle excels in characterization. Her “Ello, ello” of cabin steward Nigel has all of the British twang expected. As the Duchess of Cheddar Gorge, Entwistle is regal; as flappable Mrs. Cranston, dithering. As narrator, Entwistle is clipped but clear, enabling Peck’s attention to details—such as a tea service of thimbles set on a penny, guest lists in elegant script on cream-colored vellum—to shine.
(final art not seen) (Animal fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: 2012
Duration: 3 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780307968272
Publisher: Listening Library
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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