Audio

-- School Library Journal, 11/1/2005

Language Arts

Conrad's Fate (The Chrestomanci Series) (unabr.). 6 cassettes or 8 CDs. 8:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-3549-9:$58.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-5618-6: $78.75; read-along pack: $102.74.

Gr 6-10–Diana Wynne Jones's new fantasy (Greenwillow, 2005) continues her Chrestomanci series (Charmed Life and The Lives of Christopher Chant) with an episode set mostly in Series 7 of the dozen or so alternate worlds to which her magicians have access. Conrad, an emotionally beleaguered boy who is convinced that his fate is shadowed and must be corrected by putting some unknown wrongdoer from a past life to death, finds work in the village mansion. There, he meets not only Christopher Chant, spying from Series 12, but also learns that his own sister plans to marry the local lord. A complicated plot involving shifting houses and magicians who "pull the possibilities"–alter the situation in the midst of an action–takes Conrad on a quest through both the mansion and his own morality. Almost no one is who he or she would seem to be–and many of them enjoy formal playacting to boot! Fans of Jones's fantasies will dote on this and those new to her stories will have no trouble catching the rhythm of her humor-laced plotting. Gerard Doyle reads with an appropriate light British accent, but the overall listening experience is somewhat marred by intrusive and extraneous lip clicks and breath that occasionally runs out before the end of Jones's sentence.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Deliver Us from Normal (unabr.). 4 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-3618-5: $29.95; CD, ISBN 1-4193-3820-X: $39.95; read-along pack: $65.70.

Gr 6-9–Johnny Heller narrates this recording of Kate Klise's novel (Scholastic, 2005). Charles Harrisong is 11 years old and lives in Normal, Illinois with his large, loving, noisy, quirky, and not-exactly-normal family. Or so he thinks. There is nothing his family does that doesn't embarrass him, from buying school supplies at the local bargain emporium to renting instead of owning their home.  When Charles starts middle school, he is further embarrassed by his sister Clara, who has decided to run for seventh-grade class president. Charles is obsessed with the idea that he is not normal, and even counseling can't alleviate his anxiety. When Clara's campaign posters are cruelly defaced, the Harrisong family pulls up stakes to live on a houseboat in Alabama that they have agreed to buy, sight unseen. The tale is told by Charles, and Johnny Heller does a masterful job as narrator. He gets Charles's embarrassment and confusion just right, as well as his moments of panic and his instances of genuine affection for his family.  Since the story is told in the first person, Heller uses only minor variations for the voices of the other characters.  A well-done story of teen angst and self-acceptance.–Sarah Flowers, Santa Clara County Library, CA

Dragon's Breath (unbar.) 6 cassettes or 7 CDs. 7:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-3561-8: $54.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-5577-5: $69.75; read-along pack: $92.70.

Gr 5-7–Enter the world of Princess Emma and the kingdom of Greater Greensward. In E.D. Baker's sequel (Bloomsbury, 2003) to The Frog Princess (Bloomsbury, 2003; Recorded Books, 2005; SLJ Aug. 2005, p. 64), Emma is a witch-in-training who dreams of being as accomplished as her Aunt Grassina–the Green Witch who protects the kingdom. But first she must stop sneezing and turning herself and her beau, Prince Eadric, into frogs. Emma finds herself in one predicament after another as she seeks to gain control of her magic. Grassina is no help.She's distracted by her attempts to turn her true love back into human form and can't be bothered with mundane tasks such as protecting the kingdom from invasion. To hurry Grassina along, Emma and Eadric must find a few ingredients for her spell: a gossamer hair, a magic bean, a feather from a horse, and the breath of a green dragon.The quest takes them under the ocean and above the earth and ends with a surprising twist. Along the way, Emma matures in her magical ability and takes on Grassina's role in a vivid finale that is both exciting and touching. Actress Katherine Kellgren is astonishing in her ability to voice dozens of characters and make each unique. The pace is slow at the beginning but soon reaches a satisfying tempo. A sure bet for young fantasy fans.–Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

East (unabr.). 7 cassettes. 10:49 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. ISBN 0-307-24666-3. $50.

Gr 6 Up–Edith Pattou's brilliant interpretation of the Nordic folktale "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" (Harcourt, 2003) is a perfect story to be read aloud. This full-cast production utilizes the voice talents of Lee Adams, Robertson Dean, Kirby Heyborne, John H. Mayer, and Renee Raudman who bring all of the characters to life in splendid fashion. The story, set in a European-like locale a long time ago, is told in the alternating voices of Rose, her father, her brother Neddy, the White Bear, and the Troll Queen. Rose is born into a family of seven children as a replacement for her sister, Elise, who has died. Rose's mother, superstitious about the "birth position" of her children, becomes worried when Rose is accidentally born as a "north" child, and shows signs of wanderlust. When the child develops an interest in weaving and seems to settle down, her mother's fears subside. However, after her older sister becomes gravely ill, a white bear appears at the door promising to improve the family's financial situation and cure her sick sister if Rose will go away with him. Rose and the bear journey to a house in the North Country and she eventually forms a strong attachment to the animal. When she learns that the bear is really a young man who was transformed by a 150-year-old curse and that the evil Troll Queen wants to marry him, Rose realizes that she must try to save him. Listeners will be enchanted with Rose's many courageous adventures and with the fascinating characters she meets along the way. The distinctive cadence of each narrator's voice creates an ideal rhythm for the characters. This top-notch fantasy will be enjoyed by all, especially fans of C. S. Lewis, Tamora Pierce, and Christopher Paolini.–Jo-Ann Carhart, East Islip Public Library, NY

The Firebird (unabr.). 7 CDs. 7:40 hrs. Bolinda Audio. 2005. ISBN 1-74093-602-7. $56.

Gr 5-8–In the mystical kingdom of Marossiya, three brothers of royal blood live with their demanding, difficult father, Tsar Demyan. Yuri is the brutal older brother and engaged to the fiery Tamara, princess in a neighboring kingdom. Igor, the second brother, is the sly one and secretly jealous of the power his older brother will someday wield. Gentle Ivan, the youngest, is soul-sick because his beloved childhood playmate, Tamara, is promised in marriage to Yuri. When a mystical firebird is discovered, the Tsar offers half his kingdom to the person who brings the firebird to him.Yuri and Igor set off on the quest, wreaking havoc as they move closer to the firebird. Ivan is joined by a mysterious boy, Bogatyr, and slowly becomes wiser as he moves closer to the bird. The tale by Australian writer Sophie Masson is narrated by Aussie actor Richard Aspel who does an admirable job distinguishing between the different characters. However, the plot lacks intensity and the story is more fairytale than fantasy–Ivan is so good that he is boring, and the extremely evil brothers become caricatures. While the ending is exciting, only the most determined listeners will hang in to hear it.–Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

The Legend of Buddy Bush (unabr.). 3 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette: ISBN 1-4193-3573-1: $32.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-3864-1: $39.75; read-along pack: $55.70.

Gr 6-9–Sheila P. Moses has combined memories of her North Carolina childhood with her first-rate writing ability in this novel (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2004) about the struggles and joys of the sharecropping families who live on Rehobeth Road in a small, segregated town in North Carolina in the mid-1940s. The story is told by 12-year-old Pattie Mae who longs to join her older siblings in New York's Harlem. Blessed with a stern, but loving, mother and equally devoted grandparents, Pattie Mae still looks to her proud, city-wise Uncle Buddy for encouragement and advice. The two of them set out for the preteen's first Friday night movie, but the outing becomes a family crisis when Uncle Buddy is falsely accused of attempted rape by a white woman. Buddy's narrow escape from vigilante justice and the death of Pattie Mae's grandfather precipitate her long-awaited journey North. Narrator Cherise Boothe evokes the novel's setting with her careful cadence and the story's first person narrative by emphasizing a singular voice. The Legend of Buddy Bush was a Coretta Scott King Honor Book and a finalist for the National Book Award. Its sequel, The Return of Buddy Bush, is scheduled for publication in late 2005. This is a novel that can open doorways of understanding, and it has even greater power as a sound recording. An important addition to school and public library collections.–Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

The Old Woman and the Eagle. 1 CD. 15:35 min. with hardcover book. Hoopoe Books. 2005. ISBN 1-883536-77-4. $28.95.

PreS-Gr 3–This Middle-Eastern folktale told by Afghan writer Indries Shah tells the story of an old woman who can't accept that things can be different when she meets an eagle and insists that he must be a pigeon because she has never before seen an eagle. The woman then changes the eagle's claws, beak, and tuft so that he will resemble the pigeon. In the end, the bird flies away and returns to looking like an eagle. Beautiful illustrations by Natasha Delmar enhance this interesting tale. The CD consists of three parts: an introduction, the story with and without page-turn signals. The introduction, performed by Richard Fartherly, is a nice tool for parents and teachers as it provides brief background information on teaching stories, the Middle East, and the story of the eagle. There are also tips for parents on sharing this story with their children. Narrator Deb Bluford creates individual personas for each of the characters. The story is read at a nice pace that allows for time to follow along with the words as well as look at the detailed pictures. The addition of traditional music in the background adds authenticity to the tale.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

Pincus and the Pig: A Klezmer Tale. 1 CD. 45 min. with booklets. Prod. by Tzadik. Dist. by AV Café. 2004. $15.

K-Gr 4–This absolutely inspired production is a Yiddish/Klezmer adaptation of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf. Caldecott Award-winner Maurice Sendak showcases his many talents not only by illustrating the enclosed booklets and stickers, but also by expressively narrating the story in a Yiddish accent. One of the booklets contains the complete narration and a Yiddish glossary, defining such terms as "oy vay" and "shlemiel." TheShirim Klezmer Orchestra expertly performs the music. In this version, Pincus (Peter) is played by the clarinet; the bird by the piano; the duck by the trombone; the cat by the banjo; the grandfather by the tuba; the pig Chozzer (a dangerous wild boar) by the trombone and tuba; and the shooting of the Cossacks by the drums. Four bonus tracks feature the Shirim Klezmer Orchestra playing the following pieces in their unique klezmer style: Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherezade," a waltz from Brahms' Symphony No. 3, 3rd Movement, Erik Satie's Gnoissienne No. 4, and "Mazzesinsel Strut" from Mahler's Symphony No. 5. This production will be especially welcome in libraries with patrons interested in Jewish tales, but it will enrich and entertain everyone.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Read-Along Fun with Curious George (Series). 4 CDs. range: 17:49-26:31 min. ea. with paperback book. Houghton Mifflin. 2005. $9.95 ea. Includes: Curious George (ISBN 0-618-60922-9); Curious George Goes to a Movie (ISBN 0-618-60386-7); Curious George's First Day of School (ISBN 0-618-60565-7); Curious George Feeds the Animals (ISBN 0-618-60387-5).  

PreS-Gr 3–The timeless antics of Curious George are given new life in this read-along series, which faithfully follows the text of each story. A male narrator, accompanied by minimal musical interludes and sound effects, reads the story, once with page-turn signals and once without on each CD. Sounds effects occasionally explain pertinent parts of the unspoken story, like a splash in the water when George takes a dive into the ocean. Curious George Feeds the Animals has a female reader, with a male counterpart reading the Man with the Yellow Hat's lines. Margaret and H.A. Rey's original character has been entertaining children for decades, but it's hard to imagine a child today who wouldn't be puzzled by The Man with the Yellow Hat plucking George from his environment and transporting him to another country, George's imprisonment (and jail-break!) for inadvertently dialing the fire department while playing with the phone, or the fact that the Man in the Yellow Hat leaves his charge unattended when he takes him to a movie. Still, a naughty anthropomorphic monkey is entertaining, and adults may want to take the opportunity to explain to pint-sized listeners that their monkey-shines won't warrant the same results. Curious George certainly deserves a spot on the shelf, and these engaging stories will provide a good exercise in imagination and creativity. A solid choice, especially with an all-new animated adventure based on the classic tales debuting as a feature film in February 2006.–Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

The Rolling Stones (unabr.). 8 CDs. 7:15 hrs. Full Cast Audio. 2005. ISBN 1-933322-31-4. $48.

Gr 4-8–Long before interplanetary exploration and a certain rock group, Robert A. Heinlein wrote this science fiction classic (Random, 1977). Mischievous teen twins Castor and Pollux Stone set the story in motion with a plan to make their fortune as space traders. Soon they are waving goodbye to their home on the Earth's moon and they're headed for Mars with their parents, sister, younger brother, and grandmother. The Stones are an intelligent, strong-willed clan, so there are squabbles during their months of weightless flight. Everyone pulls together when mother Edith's doctoring skills are needed for a nearby ship's epidemic and when grandmother and little brother are lost in the asteroid belt. In between emergencies, the twins' entrepreneurial skill help them sell the bikes they reconditioned while floating outside their spaceship and unload a horde of fertile felines called flat cats. The Stones end up headed for new destinations in the universe with renewed love and respect for each other. A well-chosen cast of 21 actors turns this half-century-old novel into a lively romp. Standouts in this pleasant company are Bill Molesky as the blustery dad and Caroline Fitzgerald as the feisty, but caring grandmother. Original music adds to the fine sound quality. Twenty-first century listeners can compare current information with Heinlein's speculation, or just enjoy this humorous family adventure. An additional purchase, but one that will be most welcome by science fiction fans in elementary, middle school, and public libraries.–Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

Storieszzz: The Adventures of Faye and Fred. 1 CD. 27:58 min. PRE Records. 2005. $9.99.  

PreS-Gr 2–These four stories, written by Michael and Jocelyn Preston, and simply read by the latter, intend to provide a sleepy background for children dozing off for naptime. The first story describes a camping trip with Faye and Fred's parents, resulting in, predictably, slowly counting stars as the lullaby "Go to Sleep" plays quietly in the background. The second tale chronicles a day at Grandpa and Grandma's house, culminating in Grandma's bedtime ritual of reading a book and tucking them into bed. The following two stories include a trip to the beach and a trip to the zoo; each includes the lullaby at the end of the section. The final track is the peaceful and quiet, but not remarkable, lullaby played by itself. Although this recording accomplishes its purpose of helping little listeners fall asleep, consider this a supplemental purchase. Those looking to add to their lullaby collection may want to consider instead Susie Tallman's Lullabies for Sleepy Eyes (Dec. 2004, p. 79) or Joy Frost's Under the Lily Pad (Aug. 2004, p. 76).–Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

Whales on Stilts! (unabr.). 2 cassettes or 3 CDs. 3 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. cassette, ISBN 0-307-24613-2: $23; CD, ISBN 0-307-24633-7: $30: $30.

Gr 4-6–Lily's two best friends, 12-year-old Jasper and Katie, are anything but normal kids. Jasper invents gadgets and Katie writes about zombies and werewolves. When Lily discovers something strange going on at the abandoned warehouse where her Dad works, she knows just who to ask for help. M. T. Anderson has written a delightful story (Harcourt, 2005) about an unlikely event–the domination of the world by whales with laser-beam eyes walking on stilts. It's up to the kids to save the world! Narrator Marc Cashman does an excellent job of distinguishing between the characters. Wonderful sound effects bring the images to life. A zany first title in a projected new series.–Joyce Rice, Crestwood Middle School, Royal Palm Beach, FL  

A Wish for Wings (unabr.). 4 cassettes. 4:06 hrs. Prod. by Chivers Children's Audio Books. Dist. by BBC Audiobooks America. 2005. ISBN 1-4056-5075-3. $32.95.

Gr 5-7–Ever since Jenna was five, she'd been fascinated with planes, kites, pigeons,and the nature of flight. At 13, she's determined to fulfill her destiny of becoming an airline pilot, despite her family's discouragement and insistence that only boys and men became pilots. Her strong will drives her ambition and she perseveres by writing a letter to flight school, and teaching herself basic lessons using a computer program called Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 (latest version is 2004).Help arrives in the form of Granddad's monetary gift for flight school and a seemingly "magic stone" carved with a figure of an airplane. She later discovers that this was an homage paid by her Granddad to Amy Johnson–his heroine who was an actual British pilot of the 1930s. When Jenna's brother Ned and his psychotic friend, Gavin, are suspected of stealing Granddad's gun, Jenna's plans are put on hold. In a gripping climax where suspense meets the supernatural, Jenna is forced to use her "flight or fight" instincts to save her brother and her own life. British narrator Kim Hicks breathes life into Robert Swindells' novel with her masterful storytelling ability, providing a wide range of voices for the diverse characters. Although her British accent is heavy, listeners will have no trouble understanding her. Numerous flight references, instructional, and descriptions of basic maneuvers will intrigue young listeners. Those considering an aviation career will be inspired to reach for the skies after following Jenna's journey of overcoming tremendous obstacles to fulfill her dreams of flight.–Ann Crewdson, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Literature

Forest of the Pygmies (unabr.) 6 CDs. approx. 6:30 hrs. HarperCollins. 2005. ISBN 0-06-078600-0. $27.50

Gr 7-10–Isabel Allende's trilogy (Kingdom of the Golden Dragon and City of the Beast, both HarperCollins) comes to a satisfactory conclusion in this volume (Rayo, 2005). The adventures of Nadia and Alex take them to Africa where they survive a plane crash and bring about the downfall of an evil dictator, thus freeing his enslaved pygmies. Although the plot is simple to follow without having read the first two titles in the series, the fantastical elements of Alex's and Nadia's mystical abilities such as talking with the animals and becoming invisible are simply part of the tale and not explained. Blair Brown reads the novel, most of which is in narrative form, at a quick pace reflecting the emotions of the story, varying her tone and sound level when appropriate. Her diction is precise, and she speaks the African names with ease. She uses several different accents to differentiate between the characters when necessary. A good choice where the first two novels are popular.–Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

The Hoopster (unabr.) 4 cassettes or 4 CDs. 5 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4025-7025-2: $41.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-5622-4: $48.75; read-along pack: $72.74.

Gr 8 Up–Andre Anderson, an African-American teenager, loves to play basketball with his friends, enjoys his job at a political opinion magazine, and is becoming fond of the beautiful Latina girl he was introduced to by his best (white) friend. Set in contemporary Los Angeles, Andre's story unfolds with gritty images, clever banter, and a genuine consideration of the facets of race and racism. Author Alan Lawrence Sitomer (Jump at the Sun, 2005) draws characters that are both realistic and ironic, while narrator J.D. Jackson realizes both the main characters and every minor one with fulsome specificity–bright and thoughtful Andre, his clown cousin Cedric, his self-centered sister, his half-deaf father, the gruff magazine editor, and the bad guys, who are white supremacist gangsters. Parental lectures ring true. Andre is allowed the full range of emotions as he gets the opportunity to write a real piece for the magazine, is beaten senseless for speaking out about racism, and bounces back professionally and socially.Sitomer's inclusion of a reference to Native Americans as practicing barbaric acts is just one great discussion point to which listeners can be drawn. The crassness of teenaged boys–rude remarks, bodily noises–may surprise some who think that "good literature" doesn't present crude behavior. But this is, indeed, good literature, and stellar reading, and is bound to attract both student and teacher fans.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

The Mediator #1: Shadowland (unabr.). 5 cassettes. 6 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. ISBN 1-4193-4142-1. $52.75; read-along pack:$68.99

Gr 7-10–Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries, turns her attention, in the style of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to the paranormal and the unknown. In this first book in the series (HarperCollins, pap. 2004), we are introduced to 16-year-old Susannah Simon, a black-wearing, latte-drinking, New York native, transplanted to Carmel-by-the-Sea, California and Mission High School after her mother remarries. Susannah has the powers of a mediator, a conductor of troubled ghosts who return to complete unfinished business and who need to be escorted back to where they came from.Susannah is soon in the thick of events. She encounters a teenage ghost who committed suicide and now torments her ex-boyfriend, a boy from the 19^th century, and matches wits with another mediator (the school principal, Father Dominic). Suze also must deal with other teen dilemmas such as clothes and a new step-father and step-brothers. Cabot perfectly captures teenage angst and adventure with her ironic, yet sensitive and evocative writing.Actress Johanna Parker accurately conveys the emotions of the characters. With its unique blend of sassiness, adventure, and heart, this title would make an excellent addition to teen collections in school and public libraries.–Larry Cooperman, Seminole High School, Sanford, FL

Noughts & Crosses (unabr.) 8 cassettes. 10:43 hrs. Prod. by Chivers Children's Audio Books. Dist. by BBC Audiobooks America. 2005. ISBN 1-4056-5046-X. $59.95.

Gr 8-11–In this first volume of the series by British writer Malorie Blackman (S & S, 2005), the story opens on two childhood friends: Callum, a lower-class nought, and Sephy Hadley, a member of the privileged Crosses, England's ruling class. Noughts are white-skinned and Crosses are black. Callum's mother works for the Hadleys, and Sephy and Callum have practically grown up together. As teens, they fall deeply in love, but in this alternative English world, noughts and Crosses do not mix. As Callum and Sephy move painfully towards the sad and terrible realization that they can never be together, they struggle futilely against the forces threatening to tear them apart. While their families and friends drive the two lovers apart, Callum and Sephy's unshakeable devotion to each other remains a beacon throughout the story.Indeed, it is the only shard of light in this relentless tale of star-crossed love. Expertly read by two stage actors, Syan Blake and Paul Chequer, the story is told in brief alternating scenes. The pair deliver a gripping performance set against the backdrop of segregation, racism, and terrorism. While this is not a tragedy for the fainthearted, the production will appeal to fans of taut drama and gripping suspense.–Celeste Steward, Alameda County Library, Fremont, CA

A Pack of Lies (unabr.). 6 cassettes. 5:34 hrs. Prod. by Chivers Children's Audio Books. Dist. by BBC Audiobooks America. 2005. ISBN 1-4056-5066-4. $49.95.

Gr 7 Up–In British author Geraldine McCaughrean's 1988 Carnegie Medal-winningnovel, Ailsa Povey finds MCC Berkshire annoying the librarian one day and brings him home where, to her surprise, her widowed mother puts him to work in their failing antique store. He refuses payment, taking room and board instead. All he seems to want is a quiet place to read, and plenty of books. Other than saying he's from "Reading," MCC never talks about himself, but is eloquent in telling the story of each piece he sells. He uses a different literary style, technique, or genre for each item: romance, comedy, tragedy, adventure. Customers are intrigued and pay the outrageous prices MCC sets for the items. Ailsa is convinced that everything out of this mysterious man's mouth is a lie. Who is he and where did he come from? Narrator Andrew Sachs uses a number of accents as MCC, ranging from Chinese to Irish to American, to make this complex and sophisticated story come alive. This multifaceted piece deserves a place in every library.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Music

Food 'N Fun: A Rockin' Celebration of Good Eatin'. 1 CD 39:40 min. Springboard Records. 2005. $14.95.

K-Gr 5–Gary Lapow, who has appeared on the Disney Channel, serves up a delicious combination of 13 delightful songs (12 original and 1 traditional). A veteran of 14 previous albums, several of them award-winning efforts, Lapow presents songs in various musical styles, including rock, calypso, rap, folk, and polka. Using only guitars, synthesizer, and backup singers, Lapow sings the traditional "Apples and Bananas," as well as originals such as "Get Up Off the Sofa" (exercise). "Veggie Rap," "Supermarket Shuffle," "Whatcha Havin' for Lunch Today," "Buddy to Your Body" (taking care of yourself), "Eat a Vegetable," "Tortilla," "Rutabaga Root," and more. This delectable concoction will be welcome in all libraries with children's music collections.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

The Hipwaders. 1 CD. 42:31 min. Prod by Hipwaders. Dist. by CDBaby.com. $11.97.

PreS-Gr 3–A joy-filled celebration of many events in the life of a kid, this recording by The Hipwaders offers musical styles ranging from 1950s rock with its walking bass ("Messy Room Song") to 1960s rock melodies with tight harmonies ("I Like Summertime") to 1980s techno-pop dance tunes ("Silly Robot Dance"). Tunes about enjoying special things in life–owning a bicycle ("My Green Bicycle"), a trip to the zoo ("Welcome to the Zoo"), a sweet treat ("Jelly Beans")–mingle with songs offering advice or information–what to do in an earthquake ("It's an Earthquake"), how it feels to be different ("Twitchy"), how to maintain a friendship ("Watch Your Friendship Grow"). This collection of catchy tunes has kid appeal and would be a perfect addition to story time or classroom instruction.Parents will also want to follow The Hipwaders' invitation to "Come along with us and board the Hipwader Bus!"–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

Peas and Honey. 1 CD. approx. 25 min. Sweet Street Records. 2005. $15.

PreS-Gr 4–This lovely album intersperses 14 songs, poems, and proverbs, some traditional and some original. The short rhyming proverbs are spoken by five-year-old Maeve Montague. The songs and poems are performed by Broadway veterans Jennifer and Mark Montague, both of whom have lovely singing and speaking voices. The proverbs include "Peas and Honey," "I'm Glad," "Daddy," and "Mommy." The poems are "The Sugarplum Tree" (Eugene Field), "Stormy Night" (traditional), "Queen Mab" (Thomas Hood), and "Sweet and Low" (Lord Alfred Tennyson). Jennifer Montague and another Broadway veteran, Randy Cohen, composed the music for the songs and all of the background music. The expertly performed instruments include piano, keyboard, guitar, percussion, and bass. "Peppermint Dreams" is an original song by Montague and Cohen. "Mr. Nobody," a traditional poem, has been set to a lively ragtime beat. "The Seagull," based on a Gaelic folk song, is in the style of a sea shanty. "Rain Song" and "My Own Fairy" are traditional poems set to folk-style music. The final tune is "Irish Lullabye" (traditional). A bonus track features an expressive, enthusiastic telling by Mark Montague of the story "Dick Whittington and His Cat." This musical introduction to poetry and verse, the first in a projected series, will be a fine addition to library collections.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

The String Beans: Gophers in Loafers. 1 CD. 26:57 min. Prod. by The String Beans. Dist. by AV Café. 2005. $10.

K-Gr 3–Clever lyrics and toe-tapping rhythms form the basis for this string of ten original country-flavored songs composed by The String Beans. This first recording of tunes by brothers Curtis and Randy Bright takes listeners on a journey of childhood fun. The rockabilly song "Gophers in Loafers" describes a clearance sale at the local department store with zoo animals doing the shopping."Kindergarten Blues" relates troubles experienced on the first day of school. Strumming guitars and a children's chorus add depth to "What's in a Name?" An ironic twist at the end of "Oliver," a tribute to a beloved Golden Labrador dog, will elicit a chuckle. The unlikely friendship of a polar bear and an alligator is celebrated in "Bomp She Bomp." "Opposites," "Rodeo," "Chicken Pot Pie," "Hot Cocoa," and "Diggin' Dinosaurs" round out the collection. A fresh sound to add to collections of children's music recordings.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

Science

A T. Rex Named Sue. 1 CD. 35:32 min. Music for Little People. 2005. ISBN 1-56628-386-8. $9.98. 

K-Gr 4–Five-time Grammy Award jazz singer Al Jereau serves as narrator on this intriguing recording. Intended to communicate the story of Sue, the largest and most intact Tyrannosaurus rex ever found, the album celebrates her discovery and preservation at the Field Museum in Chicago. What makes this title unique, though, is its educational storytelling coupled with an extraordinary variety of musical stylings. Jereau provides important, albeit brief, background information that ties the songs together, but the majority of the storytelling takes place during the songs themselves. "How Do You Get to South Dakota?" performed, appropriately enough, by the vocal band Travelin' Smiley Whippersnapper, utilizes fiddles, mandolins, and guitars to help transport listeners to Sue's home state. Her discoverer, Sue Hendrickson, is celebrated in the factually accurate "Fossil Hunter,"  mysteriously sung by Martha Davis (of the Motels). Jereau joins in with the jazzy "Bones," and Rap is recognized in "Colossal Fossil." Other songs include "See 'Em in the Museum," "Get Ready to Meet the World," "Look What Followed Me Home," "Disco Dyno Mite," "Me and My Dinosaur," "T. rex Boogie," and "Where Did the Dinosaurs Go?" This title will appeal to children who are not even remotely interested in dinosaurs, and will thrill those who are. Essential for dinosaur units, this title will also prove useful for general listening and  genre music studies. Don't pass this one by…Music for Little People has another hit!– Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

Social Studies

Crazy Horse's Vision (Picture Book Readalong Series). 1 cassette or 1 CD. 24:21 min. with hardcover book. Live Oak Media. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-59112-452-2: $25.95; CD, ISBN 1-59112-452-5: $28.95.

PreS-Gr 3–Joseph Bruchac's excellent picture book (Lee & Low, 2000) about the brave Lakota warrior presents information about his youth. The beauty of the story is not quite realized in the narration by Curtis Zunigha, former Chief of the Delaware (OK) Nation. While richly voiced, he reads Bruchac's spare narrative inordinately slowly and mechanically. Although he may be attempting to convey reverence for Crazy Horse, the integrity of the narrative is compromised by his halting speech patterns. While waiting for the narration to progress, listeners will likely become bored and read ahead on their own. Following the telling, Bruchac picks up the pace when he reads the interesting author and illustrator notes from the original text.–Jennifer Iserman, Dakota County Library, Burnhaven Branch, Burnsville, MN