This perfectly titled book deals with a little-known (in the U.S.) incident that occurred in Canada. On December 6, 1917, a munitions ship headed for Europe and a wartime relief ship collided and killed nearly 2,000 people. Narrator Paul Michael recounts the moving story in a manner that deftly captures life before and after the tragedy. Listeners are introduced to the citizens of Halifax as they go about their daily lives at work, school, home, or Mass shortly before the disaster. Meeting them, hearing their conversations, and then following victims and survivors make the story particularly compelling. This in-depth portrait is perfect for kids or adults who want a quick and accurate overview of this event.
(Nonfiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Aug. 14, 2012
Duration: 3 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780449014653
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Jeff Harding voices the many impactful moments of 1919 in this engaging nonfiction audiobook. From women activists fighting for the right to vote to the Red Scare and civil rights riots, Sandler draws parallels to today's social issues. Harding matches 1919's cadence with a forward-moving pace. He uses different accents for quotations, though the women and people of color might have been better served with a diverse cast. The asides and timelines that appear in the text also are in the audio. Full of fascinating stories put into a modern context, this audiobook offers much to learn about an eventful year and ponders the big questions of our current time.
(Nonfiction. 11-16)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2020
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Orchestral music filled with the chirping of birds fades into the background as narrator John Pruden begins the story of Central Park in New York City. The two winners of the 1858 design contest, Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted, set out their vision on a ten-foot-long schematic of the new park they called The Greensward. Bubbling fountains, a myriad of bridges, and a skating park were on display, followed by the ungroomed Ramble, and, finally, the children's section. Pruden sets a brisk clip and in unassuming voice lets the story speak for itself. The rumbles of construction, excited voices, and additional orchestration provide background for young listeners. The production concludes with further information about Central Park and its creators.
(Informational picture book. 7-10)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2019
Duration: 23 mins
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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