Addressing young listeners directly, animal behaviorist Temple Grandin reads the introduction to her work on cognitive differences, with Andrea Gallo taking over the narration of the main text. It is nominally a celebration of cognitive multiplicity, with visual thinkers, like the author, complementing verbal thinkers. There's lots of empowerment for visual thinkers here, but Grandin's text often turns her appreciation of what different brains can do into harangues against engineers, the educational system, and helicopter and snowplow parenting. Gallo's warm, even delivery assumes tones of muted outrage for these lectures in order to meet the author's energy, such that the experience of listening is something of a gentle pummeling. Even the young listeners Grandin most hopes to encourage--visual thinkers like her--may emerge exhausted.
(Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Nov. 28, 2023
Duration: 7 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593745281
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This heartfelt story full of family, friendship, leadership, and belonging is sure to be a home run with young sports fans.
It was supposed to be the best summer ever for 12-year-old Trip, but his plans go awry in this production expertly narrated by Jeff Ebner. This is Trip’s last year to play baseball with his dad’s coaching and his best friends on his team. Ebner captures Trip’s disappointment when he learns his dad’s military unit is being deployed to a remote location. Trip feels extra pressure both at home, when his mother tasks him with supervising his younger sisters and aging grandfather, and on the field, where his slot as team manager is tenuous. And then a new girl player sparks discord within the team. Ebner captures Trip’s turmoil in this first-person account of rising to meet unexpected challenges.
This heartfelt story full of family, friendship, leadership, and belonging is sure to be a home run with young sports fans. (Fiction. 9-13)Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217411191
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: July 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2026
Edwards gives a soulful performance.
Young Juniper visits her grandmother's house, where Grandma tells her about their ancestors from Africa and their practice of hoodoo. Together, Juniper and Grandma tend to the garden, go for walks in the woods, attend church, create herb-filled mojo bags, and visit the cemetery to place offerings for their ancestors, whom Grandma says are always with them. Narrator Janina Edwards conveys Grandma’s wisdom with an earthy and relaxed narration, expressing a clear connection with the natural world, a refuge for both of them. Edwards also handily portrays Juniper's sense of wonder as she navigates this spiritual connection, inspiring listeners to pay attention to the world around them.
Edwards gives a soulful performance. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Duration: 13 mins
DD ISBN: 9798349168703
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: June 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
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
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
