Dicamillo, Kate. 2006. The Mercy Watson Collection: Volume 1. Read by Ron McLarty. Listening Library.
41 minutes
Last week, I was about ready to leave for work when I realized that I had nothing loaded on my mp3 player for the commute. (I have neglected to mention it here, but in January, I traded in my bicycle commute to return to my previous branch) In any case, I began frantically searching my library’s available downloads for something that would load quickly and keep me entertained during my drive to work.
My choice? Mercy Watson. Despite the book's irresistibly cute cover art, I’d never read a Mercy Watson book before. I thought it was about time. And anyway, how can you go wrong with Kate Dicamillo?
Answer: You can't.
Despite the loss of Chris Van Dusen’s charmingly funny artwork featured in the print version, Mercy Watson still "clicks" as an audiobook. Upbeat intro music sets the stage and Ron McLarty's narration is a perfect fit, with kind of a retro feel to it - as if you're listening to a favorite old story that you've heard a thousand times before. (It's hard to believe that he's also the voice of books by David Baldacci, Danielle Steel and Stephen King!)
However, the best thing about Mercy Watson to the Rescue (the first book in the series), is Mercy herself. She may be a pig, but she's an awful lot like most children - when sent to find help to rescue her parents, she quickly forgets her mission and goes instead, in search of buttered toast! And when chased by mean neighbor, Eugenia, Mercy waits until Eugenia's good and close before she starts running. After all, it's all about the chase, isn't it? Mercy is simply delightful. I'm sorry I waited so long to find her.
What else do I love about the book?
- that calling the fire department is the solution of choice when one's bed has collapsed (I'm rather partial to firefighters, having married one and all)
- that Mercy's parents adore her unconditionally
Here's an excerpt. Enjoy!
Note:
One thing I found particularly amusing is the choice of Eugenia as the name for the neighbor. When my chi
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By: shelf-employed,
on 2/29/2012
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JacketFlap tags: chapter book, book review, pigs, series, funny, DiCamillo, MP3, digital audiobook, Add a tag
By: shelf-employed,
on 10/26/2010
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JacketFlap tags: Jamaica, 39 Clues, MP3, digital audiobook, history, adventure, book review, Shakespeare, mystery, London, series, J, Add a tag
A quick wrap up of the final two audiobooks in the 39 Clues series - as with all the other titles, David Pittu narrates -
Park, Linda Sue. 2010. The 39 Clues: Storm Warning (Book 9). New York: Scholastic.
...in which Dan and Amy are reunited (finally), the true secrets of the Madrigals are revealed, the hunt moves to Jamaica, and the death of someone not connected to the hunt deeply affects Dan, Amy, and Nellie. Oh yes, and one more thing, most excellent reader, David Pittu, finally finds an accent that's too hard to handle - Jamaican patois.
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. 2010. The 39 Clues: Into the Gauntlet. (Book 10). New York: Scholastic.
In this longest of all the 39 Clues titles, the Starlings return to play a major role (remember them from the bomb blast at the Franklin Institute?) and all of the clues are finally revealed as the hunt moves to London.
The series did not wrap up as I had anticipated and surprisingly, the door has been left open for further adventures. All in all, it was a good run. Kids love the series and it keeps them reading.
And a surprise addition -
Due out today 10/26/10 is The 39 Clues: The Black Book of Buried Secrets a full-color, glossy book of the Cahill's deepest secrets by Mallory Kass with a foreword by Rick Riordan. You can read an excerpt here.
I've wondered throughout the entire series about the discipline required to keep all of the authors writing in a cohesive and fluid manner. The switching of authors from book to book was virtually flawless. It was interesting to learn that Margaret Peterson Haddix had to ask Linda Sue Park to slightly alter something in book 9 to make all the loose ends fit in book 10. Whatever was altered, it worked. Click this link http://vxlive.feedroom.com/feedroom/http/4000/5172/5174/7047/Archive/default.htm to watch a round-robin interview with all of the 39 Clues authors. (and to think that all this time I thought Jude Watson was a man - never judge an author byhis her name!) The 39 Clues - a job well done!
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By: shelf-employed,
on 6/6/2010
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By: shelf-employed,
on 5/19/2010
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JacketFlap tags: history, adventure, book review, mystery, series, Russia, Egypt, 39 Clues, MP3, digital audiobook, Add a tag
In Beyond the Grave, Irina Spasky's character becomes more developed, Dan and Amy have their first real "falling" out, the one-dimensional Holts are (thankfully) mostly absent, and Jude Watson does a fine job of highlighting the wondrous nature and historical significance of Ancient Egypt.
In The Black Circle, set in Russia, Dan and Amy find out more about their parents, the Madrigals role becomes somewhat more defined, and the Holts reappear as major characters (though thankfully, Hamilton Holt, at least, becomes more singularly identifiable). Also in book 5, Dan and Amy finally obtain a source of money and venture forth without au-pair, Nellie Gomez. Bonus material is available in the audio book version.
Book 9, Storm Warning is due out in 5 days and is written by Linda Sue Park (I love her books and am looking forward to a female author's contribution to the series).
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By: shelf-employed,
on 5/12/2010
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JacketFlap tags: history, book review, nonfiction, historical fiction, Holocaust, J, Nazi Germany, WW II, MP3, digital audiobook, Add a tag
Based on the true story of Helmuth Hübener, The Boy Who Dared is told in a series of flashbacks by an imprisoned Helmuth as he awaits his sentence of death by guillotine. Helmuth revisits the events and decisions that drove him to defy the Nazi party and the Gestapo.
Many children's books have been written on Nazi atrocities, each with its own particular vantage point. Milkweed looks at the plight of a young Gypsy. Number the Stars tells of the Danish resistance. The Boy Who Dared focuses on what Helmuth Hübener would have known best - the experience of Germany's young, non-Jewish citizens. Forced to join the Hitler Youth and adhere to strict curfews, forbidden to attend school with their Jewish friends or shop at Jewish-owned stores, and particularly grievous to Helmuth, forbidden to read non-German books or listen to any radio other than The People's Radio.
This is a powerful story for middle-schoolers and is especially relevant because it highlights the impact that one single young person can have on his society.
However, as is often the case, the truth is a more compelling story. Susan Campbell Bartoletti's earlier book, Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's Shadow. It's a powerful and fascinating story that follows the lives of numerous young Germans and explores why some succumbed to the Nazi propaganda machine and others resisted. The outcome of their decisions is revealed as well. Katherin Kana's accent and "matter-of-fact" style of reading, is perfect for setting a chilling tone to a horrific period in history. Hitler Youth is the winner of over 10 major awards including a Newbery Honor and a Sibert Honor. Best for 7th grade and up.
By: Karen Cioffi,
on 11/12/2009
Blog: Writing for Children with Karen Cioffi (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children, parents, songs, singing, babies, mp3, lullabies, Lullaby Link, Add a tag
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By: shelf-employed,
on 2/29/2012
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By: shelf-employed,
on 10/26/2010
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JacketFlap tags: Jamaica, 39 Clues, MP3, digital audiobook, history, adventure, book review, Shakespeare, mystery, London, series, J, Add a tag
Park, Linda Sue. 2010. The 39 Clues: Storm Warning (Book 9). New York: Scholastic.
...in which Dan and Amy are reunited (finally), the true secrets of the Madrigals are revealed, the hunt moves to Jamaica, and the death of someone not connected to the hunt deeply affects Dan, Amy, and Nellie. Oh yes, and one more thing, most excellent reader, David Pittu, finally finds an accent that's too hard to handle - Jamaican patois.
In this longest of all the 39 Clues titles, the Starlings return to play a major role (remember them from the bomb blast at the Franklin Institute?) and all of the clues are finally revealed as the hunt moves to London.
The series did not wrap up as I had anticipated and surprisingly, the door has been left open for further adventures. All in all, it was a good run. Kids love the series and it keeps them reading.
Due out today 10/26/10 is The 39 Clues: The Black Book of Buried Secrets a full-color, glossy book of the Cahill's deepest secrets by Mallory Kass with a foreword by Rick Riordan. You can read an excerpt here.
I've wondered throughout the entire series about the discipline required to keep all of the authors writing in a cohesive and fluid manner. The switching of authors from book to book was virtually flawless. It was interesting to learn that Margaret Peterson Haddix had to ask Linda Sue Park to slightly alter something in book 9 to make all the loose ends fit in book 10. Whatever was altered, it worked. Click this link http://vxlive.feedroom.com/feedroom/http/4000/5172/5174/7047/Archive/default.htm to watch a round-robin interview with all of the 39 Clues authors. (and to think that all this time I thought Jude Watson was a man - never judge an author by
0 Comments on 39 Clues - the end? as of 1/1/1900
By: shelf-employed,
on 6/6/2010
Blog: Shelf-employed (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: divorce, Detroit Tigers, booktalk, MP3, digital audiobook, J, fathers, booktalks, steroids, YA, baseball, boys, family life, batboys, Add a tag
Lupica, Mike. 2010. The Batboy. Read by Lucian Doge. Penguin Audiobooks.
(About 6 hours)
Fourteen-year-old Brian Dudley lives with his divorced mother. His father, a one-time major league pitcher, is in Japan, unable to give up the game he loved once his pitching career was over. Brian shares his dad's love of baseball. He plays on a travel team with his best friend Kenny and has just landed the job of his dreams - batboy for the Detroit Tigers.
With his favorite player returning to the Tigers after a steroids scandal, his travel team, The Sting, heading for the playoffs, and the Tigers making a run for the pennant, the lineup reads like a perfect summer. But a perfect roster doesn't always equal a win in baseball, and Brian's perfect summer lineup may be in for a few losses.
Mike Lupica's latest is a home run. Just close your eyes and you can smell the hot dogs, hear the crack of the bat, and see the play at first. No one does sports like Mike!
If you're a fan of baseball or ever wondered what it's like to be a batboy, Batboy is your summer reading!
Read an excerpt or enjoy this interview with the author and a trailer for the book.
A podcast of this booktalk will be available on the Multimedia Booktalk page soon!
Share |
(About 6 hours)
Fourteen-year-old Brian Dudley lives with his divorced mother. His father, a one-time major league pitcher, is in Japan, unable to give up the game he loved once his pitching career was over. Brian shares his dad's love of baseball. He plays on a travel team with his best friend Kenny and has just landed the job of his dreams - batboy for the Detroit Tigers.
With his favorite player returning to the Tigers after a steroids scandal, his travel team, The Sting, heading for the playoffs, and the Tigers making a run for the pennant, the lineup reads like a perfect summer. But a perfect roster doesn't always equal a win in baseball, and Brian's perfect summer lineup may be in for a few losses.
Mike Lupica's latest is a home run. Just close your eyes and you can smell the hot dogs, hear the crack of the bat, and see the play at first. No one does sports like Mike!
If you're a fan of baseball or ever wondered what it's like to be a batboy, Batboy is your summer reading!
Read an excerpt or enjoy this interview with the author and a trailer for the book.
A podcast of this booktalk will be available on the Multimedia Booktalk page soon!
Share |
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By: shelf-employed,
on 5/19/2010
Blog: Shelf-employed (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: history, adventure, book review, mystery, series, Russia, Egypt, 39 Clues, MP3, digital audiobook, Add a tag
An update on The 39 Clues series... I've fallen behind in this series that may not have been the Harry Potter blockbuster that Scholastic was hoping for, but still appears to be quite popular. I've just finished books 4 and 5, Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson and The Black Circle by Patrick Carman as audio book downloads. Both books are read by David Pittu, who does a fine job, considering the many characters and their many diversities. I continue to be amazed that despite being written by popular and signature authors, each book flows smoothly into the next.
A quick note on both titles:
In Beyond the Grave, Irina Spasky's character becomes more developed, Dan and Amy have their first real "falling" out, the one-dimensional Holts are (thankfully) mostly absent, and Jude Watson does a fine job of highlighting the wondrous nature and historical significance of Ancient Egypt.
In The Black Circle, set in Russia, Dan and Amy find out more about their parents, the Madrigals role becomes somewhat more defined, and the Holts reappear as major characters (though thankfully, Hamilton Holt, at least, becomes more singularly identifiable). Also in book 5, Dan and Amy finally obtain a source of money and venture forth without au-pair, Nellie Gomez. Bonus material is available in the audio book version.Book 9, Storm Warning is due out in 5 days and is written by Linda Sue Park (I love her books and am looking forward to a female author's contribution to the series).
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By: shelf-employed,
on 5/12/2010
Blog: Shelf-employed (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: history, book review, nonfiction, historical fiction, Holocaust, J, Nazi Germany, WW II, MP3, digital audiobook, Add a tag
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. 2008. The Boy Who Dared. Read by David Ackroyd. Listening Library.
Based on the true story of Helmuth Hübener, The Boy Who Dared is told in a series of flashbacks by an imprisoned Helmuth as he awaits his sentence of death by guillotine. Helmuth revisits the events and decisions that drove him to defy the Nazi party and the Gestapo.
Many children's books have been written on Nazi atrocities, each with its own particular vantage point. Milkweed looks at the plight of a young Gypsy. Number the Stars tells of the Danish resistance. The Boy Who Dared focuses on what Helmuth Hübener would have known best - the experience of Germany's young, non-Jewish citizens. Forced to join the Hitler Youth and adhere to strict curfews, forbidden to attend school with their Jewish friends or shop at Jewish-owned stores, and particularly grievous to Helmuth, forbidden to read non-German books or listen to any radio other than The People's Radio.
This is a powerful story for middle-schoolers and is especially relevant because it highlights the impact that one single young person can have on his society.
However, as is often the case, the truth is a more compelling story. Susan Campbell Bartoletti's earlier book, Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's Shadow. It's a powerful and fascinating story that follows the lives of numerous young Germans and explores why some succumbed to the Nazi propaganda machine and others resisted. The outcome of their decisions is revealed as well. Katherin Kana's accent and "matter-of-fact" style of reading, is perfect for setting a chilling tone to a horrific period in history. Hitler Youth is the winner of over 10 major awards including a Newbery Honor and a Sibert Honor. Best for 7th grade and up.
Scholastic's video booktalk for The Boy Who Dared is available here.
An excerpt from Listening Library's Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow, also by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, and read by Katherin Kana. (2006)
An excerpt from Listening Library's Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow, also by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, and read by Katherin Kana. (2006)
0 Comments on The Boy Who Dared as of 5/12/2010 11:41:00 AM
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By: Karen Cioffi,
on 11/12/2009
Blog: Writing for Children with Karen Cioffi (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children, parents, songs, singing, babies, mp3, lullabies, Lullaby Link, Add a tag
The internet is an amazing tool. It brings the world to your finger tips and it affords you the opportunity to met people you would never have met.
Recently, an enterprising young woman named Amy Robbins-Wilson contacted me. She has a Google alert for the word lullaby. Since my bedtime picture book is titled Day's End Lullaby, Amy found my site.
Here is a short description of Lullaby Link:
Lullabylink.com is dedicated to serving parents who would like to incorporate music into their lives with their children. At Lullabylink.com we believe in the power of music to link generations. We further believe that lullabies and baby music are crucial in the development of the arts in our culture. If our children learn that music comes only from “professionals” or from the t.v or radio box then they will learn to be consumers. If they learn that it comes from all people, they will learn to be creators.
Lullabylink.com provides parents with lyrics and melodies to over 40 lullabies and ideas as to how to use music with their infant, their toddler and even with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. Studies report that there is a decrease in the number of parents singing to their children. We hope to be a part of reversing that trend by encouraging parents and giving them the tools they need to interact with their children musically.
We invite you to Lullaby Link. Come get your free lullaby lyrics songbook and mp3’s! If you have any comments or suggestions for our site we would love to hear from you.
What a wonderful and unique idea.
I'm not going to give everything away now though, Amy will be our guest soon and we'll learn a lot more about her and Lullaby Link. Be sure to come back!
Karen
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