Xena and Xander Holmes, descendants of legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, discover they share a hobby with their ancestor. They love to solve mysteries. Armed with Sherlock's unsolved casebook, they unravel the location of a missing painting. David Pittu will win kids over to this new mystery series. He switches accents with proficiency—from the American of the Holmes kids to the British of the many characters “across the Pond.” In confident tones he also shares tidbits on American cultural differences from our English “cousins.” Pittu never rushes. Instead he sets an appropriate pace for young listeners trying to solve the case right along with Xena and Xander. Thanks to Pittu and a compelling story, THE 100-YEAR-OLD SECRET won't be a secret for long.
Ages 10+Pub Date: June 10, 2008
Duration: 2 hrs, 45 mins
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
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