Search Products

ALA Odyssey Honor Award

Starred Review "Juan Esquivel is no longer a household name, but in the 1950s and 1960s, his innovative lounge music was ­pervasive. ...This audiobook version of the picture book biography is magical." School Library Journal

"As the story begins, narrator Nancy Wu catches listeners' attention with her emphatic, "No spinach!" ... As Sylvia, Wu delivers an authentically childlike tone. Listeners will delight in the enthusiasm of the conclusion. Gentle music and tips for gardening complete the production.: AudioFile

"Given the quiet, purposeful narration of Nancy Wu, heroine Zora takes center stage.... Wu is as firm in her presentation as Zora is in her determination to be a resourceful gardener. Young listeners will appreciate Zora's zeal and her ideas for sharing her harvest." AudioFile Magazine

AudioFile Earphones Award "Vibrant L.A. will leap into the minds of listeners in this audio homage to Korean-American chef Roy Choi's path to street food stardom. The accompanying picture book's illustrations are eye-popping, and Los Angeles-based graffiti artist Man One's narration has a style all his own, especially his rap delivery of the book's short cooking poems." AudioFile Magazine

"Narrator Sisi Aisha Johnson shares the rhyming and rhythmic fun of family and friends who are filling Grandma's house to the gills....Johnson narrates in tempo with the background music and uses pauses and emphasis to encourage young listeners to rhyme along..." AudioFile

Starred Review "The inspirational and determined life of Tubman is distilled into evocative vignettes reaching back to her childhood. So varied were her roles that the casting of multiple narrators not only adds texture to the production but helps reinforce that each role had its own set of challenges and its own place in her life. Each of the four narrators reads with a clear, convincing voice and employs tones befitting the role she portrays." Booklist

This companion to I’M NEW HERE features the perspectives of three students in the classroom as they welcome the three newcomers who are trying to adjust to a new school and country. An honest and heartwarming look at the immigrant experience that will resonate with kids everywhere.

"Alisa, Rosi, and Brian Amador narrate a sweet story of connecting across a generational and language divide.... Spanish is seamlessly woven into the story, and lively music and sound effects complement the narration of the picture book's bright illustrations." AudioFile Magazine

Starred Review When her Spanish-speaking grandmother comes to live with Mia and her family, Mia is happy but also worried that she won't be able to tell her all the things a granddaughter should because of their language barrier. ... The Amador family, who also narrates the English-language version, creates a delightful and loving interplay among themselves in this Spanish edition.... Upbeat Latin music composed by Brian Amador and appropriate background sound effects round out and enrich the production." Booklist

One English paperback/CD and one paperback/CD of the Spanish edition in a large hang-up bag.
Mia is not sure what to think when her Abuela comes to live with her family in the city. They share a bedroom but speak different languages and Abuela is sad about leaving her sunny house with wild parrots in mango trees. How Mia and Abuela develop their relationship while learning to communicate makes for a richly-told, uplifting story that lovingly blends generations and cultures.

" Listeners will demand repeat performances!" - AudioFile Magazine

"Myers' fun picture book about a junkyard dog turned celebrated blues musician works wonderfully... thanks to Charles Turner's spirited narration and Mark "Dog" Deffenbaugh's bluesy guitar strumming...Turner's energetic narration keeps the story humming along. Deffenbaugh's guitar work pleases the ear, and his performance of 'The New York City Blues' (music and lyrics by Myers) is the program's highlight. This story about the joys of blues music has found a format that serves it very well." - School Library Journal