Chester's Way
1 Paperback/1 CD (see all formats)

"Chester and his best friend, Wilson, have their own ways of doing things, whether it be using bike hand signals, swallowing watermelon seeds, or dressing as a combo for Halloween. "Peas in a pod," note their parents. Look out, Wilson and Chester! There's a new neighbor, and Lily has her own way of doing things. Working out the intricacies of becoming a threesome captures the vagaries and resiliencies of young friendship. Laura Hamilton is an unobtrusive narrator who puts the listener’s total focus on the story. She narrates at a pace to encourage thinking about her words and appreciating Henkes’s detailed illustrations. Discreet sound effects add just the right background to the story."

"Kevin Henkes's charming story about friends who are truly "two peas in a pod" comes to life in this production. Chester and Wilson do everything the same and don't know quite what to make of their new neighbor, Lilly. In the end, they learn that different methods of doing things are just fine. Narrator Laura Hamilton keeps listeners engaged, providing a distinct voice for each character. Background music and sound effects enhance the tale."

"Chester and Wilson. Wilson and Chester. That's the way it was until eccentric Lilly moves into the neighborhood to upset the balance. Narrator Hamilton reads carefully and slowly, skillfully assigning different voices to Chester, Wilson, and Lilly, bringing the characters alive. Background music and ambient sounds, such as falling rain and splashing water, enhance the friends' activities as they are pictured in the text. Lively music accompanies the stories. As in all Live Oak productions, page-turn signals are an option."