Review: Trolled

Trolled by Bruce Coville is the third installment in the series, The Enchanted Files. The first books is Cursed (or Diary of a Mad Brownie) and book two is Hatched.

Ned is a troll living and working in New York City. Cody is a sixth-grader living in New York City. How did they meet? Ned and Cody's father work at Grand Central Terminal (otherwise known as Grand Central Station). Their worlds collide with family history and enchantments.

Listen to a sample on the Listening Library website!

If you enjoyed the first two titles, you will be sure to enjoy this third installment of The Enchanted Files. I appreciated the links between the characters in book one, Cursed, and book three, Trolled. The story was engaging because it was a diary or log setup with interesting side stories or documents. The variety of voices helps the listener understand all the different parts of the books - journaling, stories, documents, reports, etc. One "setback" to this audiobook would be there are no illustrations, but they are not a highlight in the story. I personally didn't care for characters saying, "OMG" in the story or the talk of farts. I'm sure it won't bother other readers or listeners.

The full cast audio is a great way to tell a story with multiple voices. I applaud all the readers because they had to have their character voice, but also characterize the other characters they interacted with during their part of the story. I could distinguish the characters and they were enjoyable to hear. I wish that all the readers were listed on the audiobook cover, but alas they are not. I couldn't find a complete list on the Listening Library website either. One strange sound effect during the story was during texts between characters. Their was a keyboard typing noise with a zoom noise at the end. The zoom noise was find, but the keyboard typing was very out of place. It brought to mind AOL Instant Messanger messaging rather than phone messaging.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Trolled by Bruce Coville
Series: Book 03, The Enchanted Files
Read by Barbara Rosenblat, Kivlighan de Monebello, and a full cast
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 5
Total Time: 5 Hours, 21 Minutes
Release Date: September 2017
ISBN: 9781524782610

Music Review: Two Little Sounds

Hello, again, Hap Palmer! Previously, I shared Hap Palmer's Creative Movement and Rhythmic Expression CD. I hinted at my storytime good-bye song and today I have the CD to share! My goodbye song for storytime is on Hap Palmer's Two Little Sounds Fun with Phonics and Numbers album. I use one song on this album nearly every week, but there are quite a few songs on the album that are worthy of more play time.

Hap Palmer amazes me. He puts so much thought and energy into his music. He writes his music and lyrics to this CD and also includes an in-depth teaching guide. The guide lists information on subjects, vocabulary, activity, lyrics, variation, and follow-up for the songs. Wow! It's not instructions on how to use the songs, it's information if you'd care to use it. My good-bye song has movement suggestions, but I have chosen my own movements for the song. The guide is a great tool for those who want to use it.

In addition to the guide content, there are credits, website address, and contact information for Hap in the CD insert.  There are no song lengths listed, but half the songs also have an instrumental version! (Those track numbers are in parenthesis.) I italicized and bolded the tracks I have used during storytime. I italicized additional tracks that I like and added my thoughts as well.

Track List --
1 (19) - Two Little Sounds
2 - My Ramblin' Cat
3 (20) - Down by the Bay - traditional song with musical instrument twist - There is an illustration in the guide of all the instruments used in the song.
4 (21) - The One That Doesn't Rhyme
5 (22) - Wiggy Wiggles Freeze Dance - freeze song
6 (23) - Ten Monkeys in a Tree - traditional song with subraction twist
7 (24) - Meet My Travelin' Friends
8 - We Discover Number Patterns - counting song
9 - Apples, Bananas, Peaches, Tomatoes - traditional song with additional verses
10 - My Playful Pig
11 - How Many Are Here? (Addition & Subtractions)
12 - Hickory, Dickory, Dock - traditional song with additional verses
13 - The English Language Gets a Little Kooky (Consonants)
14 (25) - Five Pennies Make a Nickle - This song could be helpful during Money Smart Week.
15 (26) - Tall Tremendous Tens and Wee Wonderful Ones
16 - What Are You Wearing? - clothing song - movement song
17 - The English Language Gets a Little Kooky (Vowels)
18 (27) - Good-bye, So Long, Farewell, Toodle-oo -

Reviewed from a library copy.

Album: Two Little Sounds Fun with Phonics and Numbers
Artist: Hap Palmer
Label: Hap-Pal Music
Genre: Kindie / Educational
Length: 72:31
Release Date: January 2004
ASIN: B0001DD3VO

---

A to Z Challenge - Letter H - Hap Palmer's Two Little Sounds Fun with Phonics and Numbers

Review: The Terrible Two Get Worse

The Terrible Two are back in The Terrible Two Get Worse! I would highly recommend listening to The Terrible Two before reading The Terrible Two Get Worse. It's a fantastic followup to Niles' and Miles' pranks at their school in Yawnee Valley.

Niles and Miles are on a role at pranking, but one prank goes too far. Their principal has been replaced. Something needs to be done!

The themes of humor and friendship run strong in this second Terrible tale. I think readers of book one will definitely enjoy book two. Niles and Miles prank well together and challenge each other. They also learn consequences together and working with others. I am intrigued to see if more titles will be coming in this series. This is a great follow-up book and wraps up well if this is the end of the series.

Adam Verner returns to narrate The Terrible Two Get Worse! Again, well done on sharing the story. The character voices were maintained from book one to book two. Stuart still got under my skill, but his character was well maintained. Great job, Mr. Verner!

Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, Blackstone Audio!

Audio Book Details...
The Terrible Two Get Worse by Mac Barnett and Jory John
Series: Book 2, The Terrible Two
Read by Adam Verner
Produced by Blackstone Audio
Number of Discs: MP3 download (25 parts)
Total Time: 3 Hours, 32 Minutes
ISBN: 9781504661935

Review: Timeless Tales of Beatrix Potter: Peter Rabbit and Friends

Timeless Tales of Beatrix Potter: Peter Rabbit and Friends is a collection of short stories and nursery rhymes. This title is also a 2015 Audie nomination in the Children’s Titles for Ages up to 8 category Here is a list of the titles included on the audiobook:

—"The Tale of Peter Rabbit"
—"The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin"
—"The Tailor of Gloucester"
—"The Tale of Benjamin Bunny"
—"The Tale of Two Bad Mice"
—"The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle"
—"The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher"








—"The Tale of Tom Kitten"
—"The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck"

—"The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies"
—"The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse"
—"The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes"
—"The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse"
—"The Tale of Mr. Tod"
—"The Tale of Pigling Bland"
—"The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or The Roly-Poly Pudding"
—"The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan"
—"The Tale of Ginger and Pickles"
—"The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit"
—"The Story of Miss Moppet"
—"Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes"
—"Cecily Parseley's Nursery Rhymes"

The audiobook I checked out from the library did not include a book with it BUT Tantor Media includes a PDF eBook on disc one! I think that detail is fantastic.

Katherine Kellgren narrates Peter Rabbit and Friends. I adore listening to Kellgren and the stories she narrates. She brings so much life to each audiobook! Peter Rabbit and Friends was no exception. Beatrix Potter was a British children's author and Kellgren with her British accent is a perfect fit. She brings classical stories to a new generation of listeners.

I grew up with a one book collection of Beatrix Potter stories. When I listened to this audio collection, it brought back fond memories of paging through the book. It was so easy for me to bring Potter's illustrations to mind. It was also fascinating to hear how all the stories were connected to each other. I never realized that most of her characters either are in multiple stories or are referenced in other stories. Potter created her own little animal village. These tales are so charming!

Listening to them one after another was a bit tedious for me. By disc three, I was ready to pull the plug on my player but I was so close to the end that I just finished. I think a short musical interlude between stories would have been lovely touch, but one story just followed another.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Timeless Tales of Beatrix Potter: Peter Rabbit and Friends by Beatrix Potter
Read by Katherine Kellgren
Produced by Tantor Audio
Number of Discs: 3
Total Time: 3.5 hours
ISBN: 9781494500009

Review: The Terrible Two

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John


Miles moves to a new town - Yawnee Valley. He is unimpressed with the new town that is known for their cows. Miles plans to be known as the prankster at his new school, Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy, as he begins his school day. Unfortunately, he is greeted by one of the greatest pranks he's ever seen - the principal's car blocking the front door to school! Before he knows it, Principal Barkin is accusing Miles of this prank and Miles is introduced to Niles, the school helper.

Authors Mac Barnett and Jory John have created a fun new book for older elementary and middle school students. It's been said that there will be more books to follow, but The Terrible Two is a great standalone book. It's a great book of humor and friendship. The characters can be extreme, like Principal Barkin being upset and red-faced most of the book, but it works! I can see readers loving this story. I think parents would be amused as well if families wanted to listen together during a car ride.

The book is illustrated by Kevin Cornell, but when you listen to the audiobook the only illustrations are in your imagination. I did not feel cheated by not seeing the illustrations.

Adam Verner narrated The Terrible Two. This is the first audiobook I've heard him read. It was well done. The characters were different and I think they're personalities showed through the voices he created. One character in particular got under my skin - Stuart. He liked to shout about the happenings in the story, so his voice needed to be "shouty." Stuart was definitely shouty ... and annoying. Currently, Stuart is a minor character, so I could live with his maddening voice. If the series continues, I hope Mr. Verner returns to narrate the rest of the Terrible Two saga.

Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, Blackstone Audio!

Audio Book Details...
The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John
Series: Book 1, The Terrible Two
Read by Adam Verner
Produced by Blackstone Audio
Number of Discs: MP3 download (38 parts)
Total Time: 3.4 Hours
ISBN: 9781481515290

Twelve Kinds of Ice

Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed


"Twelve kinds of ice are carved into twenty vignettes, each exulting the beauty of ice and ice skating that comes year after year" - from audiobook back

Ellen Bryan Obed reflects and shares her childhood wonder of different kinds of ice. It begins with a thin layer that cracks when touched and end with dreams of ice. It's a short and endearing book that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Obed shares her childhood Winter experiences that today's audience can enjoy and associated with their own Winter experiences. It might be difficult for warm weather readers who haven't experienced icy sports or freezing weather, but it can lead them on new adventures!

If the reader/listener chooses to listen without the book, the classical illustrations by Barbara McClintock will be missed. She drew beautiful pictures in pen and ink. I would recommend having the book and audiobook paired together.

Narrator Jessica Almasy reads Obed's story very well. She conveys the sense of wonder with each different kind of ice. I appreciated that aspect. The pauses between chapters were a breath to long for me, but it's because each ends with an ellipsis(...). As I said, it's a personal pause preference and don't let it stop you from enjoying this wonderful Winter story.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed
Read by Jessica Almasy
Produced by Recorded Books
Number of Discs: 1
Total Time: .25 hours
ISBN: 9781470363864

A Tangle of Knots

A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff

Everyone has a talent - someone can whistle, someone can spit, another can knit, and one can bake amazing cakes. Each talent is unique and special. Some people know their talent and use it, while others continue to look for their talent. Everyone's stories and talents intermingle as history and modern events collide.

A Tangle of Knots was touted as a story similar to Savvy by Ingrid Law. I loved Savvy, so I requested this title as soon as I was able! Yes, the book reflects similar talents that characters discover and use. Yes, it can stand on its own. It also reminded me of Abby Carnelia's One and Only Magical Power by David Pogue. (I did prefer Savvy or A Tangle of Knots to Abby Carnelia.)

As the story unfolds, more characters (with their talents) are introduced. The stories are woven together as events evolve. One mysterious man (with a talent for knots) always seems to pop-up at fortunate and unfortunate times. The first couple chapters can be confusing, but as the story continues, it's a fun and adventurous tale. In addition to the interwoven tale, the author also includes cake recipes for the characters in the book.

Katie Honaker was a fun and creative narrator for this story. Her characters were distinct and varied. She read the recipes as well as the story. I was impressed with the sharing of the recipes. The recipes were timed well and they had fun sound effects and music underneath each recipe.

Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, Penguin Audio!

Other Audiobook Reviews...
http://hauntedorchid.blogspot.com/2013/02/audiobook-review-tangle-of-knots.html
http://www.goodbooksandgoodwine.com/2013/03/a-tangle-of-knots-lisa-graff-audiobook-review.html


Audio Book Details...
A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff
Read by Katie Honaker
Produced by Penguin Audio
Number of Discs: MP3 Download
Total Time: 4 hours, 9 minutes
ISBN: 9781101601877

3 Below

Floors #2: 3 Below by Patrick Carman


The Whippet Hotel is now under the ownership of young Leo Fillmore. Mr. Whippet passed his hotel to Leo, but failed to take care of some business. The hotel owes back taxes! Leo and Remy need to travel through undiscovered floors to find the money needed to pay the taxes or the hotel will be put up for auction.

Carman's second Floors novel continues where book ones ends. The characters remained strong and the new characters add extra flavor to the story. The new floors that Leo and Remy discovered were so creative and unexpected. Similar to the first novel, the ending turns out for the best and there are hints to more Floors adventures.

Jesse Bernstein returns to narrator the second Floors novel. His character voices remain true to his original interpretation. Jesse is youthful and distinguishes the characters from each other.j

Reviewed from a library copy.


Audio Book Details...
Floors by Patrick Carman
Series: Book Two, Floors
Read by Jesse Bernstein
Produced by Scholastic Audiobooks
Number of Discs: 5
Total Time: 6 hours

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz


"Are there any small children in the room now? If so, it would be best if you just...hurried them off to bed. Because this is where things start to get, well...awesome. But in a horrible, bloody kind of way."

If you prefer not to read about blood, gore, fights and magic, I would pass this title up...well, maybe. I would have to agree with the quote, it is awesome. Awesome, as in the definition of awe. Gidwitz put the classic tales and gave them new twists, while maintaining the old feel of blood, guts and gore. The original tales are not pretty. The original tales were gathered from the German people at that time and the folklore was bloody. Life is not always happy ever afters and those original tales reflected that feeling of right and wrong, revenge and reward. If you enjoy a good fairytale, find a copy of A Tale Dark & Grimm. Gidwitz wove the tale of Hansel and Gretal, but he offers a couple more stories on his website at http://www.adamgidwitz.com/tales-dark-ne...

Johnny Heller returns to read! I previously heard him read Flawed Dogs and Al Capone Does My Shirts. I enjoy listening to him read. When I placed the first CD in the player, it felt like welcoming a friend back. Thanks for a great listen, Johnny.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Additional book review at Waking Brain Cells.

View all my reviews

 Audio Book Details...
A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
Read by Johnny Heller
Produced by Recorded Books
Number of Discs: 4
Total Time: 4 hours, 45 minutes