Blogger’s Note: Thank you to Macmillian Audiobooks for providing free copies of the titles listed below in exchange for an honest review.
Recently, the little ones and I have spent more time listening to audiobooks together. We’ve found that although some children’s literature does really well in the audiobook format, some books just do not work at all. Here are a few that we’ve listened to recently and our feedback.
By the way, I noted “we” intentionally here. The kids have been reviewing books with me and it is so fun to share in this adventure together. Our little readers enjoy providing feedback on their favorite parts of the story, whether or not they enjoyed the narration and who the best character was in the tale. This in depth reflection also allows us to get more out of books as a family and strengthens our love of literacy. I highly recommend it! Without any further ado, please see the reviews below for some of our recent mini bookworm audiobook listens!
Book: “Fables” by Natalie Portman
Genre: Children’s Literature
Rating: 3/5 Stars
This collection of children’s fables by Natalie Portman contains three updated classic tales including: The Tortoise and the Hare, The Three Little Pigs and Country Mouse and City Mouse. These three endearing tales are told in a form on sing song prose that is enjoyable and the narration is easy to listen to. However, it seems like the concepts from the stories were written at an adult level not a child level. The tales have been rewritten in a way that the material is too advanced for kids to really understand and although witty, most of the material will be lost on children. This one left me wondering who the intended audience was for the book. Perhaps it was actually written for adults… but if it was, I still didn’t feel sold. It was a nice concept, I just didn’t love it. I think Natalie Portman is a wonderful actress, but this book didn’t do anything for me other than leave me confused.
Book: “Roxy: The Last Unisaurus Rex” by Eva Chen
Genre: Children’s Literature
Rating: 4/5 Stars
This book was a sweet tale about being true to oneself and celebrating individuality. Roxy is a fun and sparkle filled tale that kids are bound to enjoy. Our family loved the story, but I feel like something was missing without the bright colorful illustrations of Matthew Rivera. As an audiobook, the listener is left to their imaginations and must create Roxy in their mind rather than see the dazzling art work on the book pages in front of them. In this instance, I felt like an actual book would have been preferred. The audiobook narration was spirited and filled with an infectious energy, I would have loved to listen to the book at the same time as turning the physical pages of this wonderful story.
Happy Reading/Listening!
Literature & Lattes 