A Wrinkle In Time
(by Madeline L'Engle/narrated by Hope Davis , Listening Library $28.99 Score:)

This is the Fiftieth Anniversary of the beloved classic, A Wrinkle In Time. A story of a stranger who leads Meg, her brother and their buddy Calvin on a frightening but thrilling adventure. The book won the Newbery Medal and is the first of series of science fiction time travel books about the Murry family. Though the books are decades old, they are not dated. The subject of bullies, going along, and fears of nuclear attacks are just as real in 2012 as they were in 1962 when the book was published, It's been recorded before, but this is an all new recording by the gifted Hope Davis, winner of the NY Film Critics Best Actress Award. Bring home the book and or the sequels. This is a good way to introduce the family to an author who wrote more than 60 books and who reads an introduction to her most famous work on this CD set. 

 

Age: Tweens. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Doctor De Soto Book & CD
(WIlliam Steig, Macmillan Audio $9.99 Score:)

What better than the deliciously narrated telling of one of our favorite William Steig picture books. A classic story of the little guy triumphing over the big guy, in this case, Dr. De Soto, a small mouse outwits a sly fox who comes in howling with a toothache. Clever little Dr. De Soto makes up in brains what he lacks in girth. A keeper! They say 3-8. We'd say it's a little subtle for preschool--more like 5 & up.

Age: . Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
(J.K. Rowling, Listening Library/ Scholastic $44.95 Score:)

The long-anticipated fifth book takes about a hundred pages to get going, but not to worry--that leaves almost 700 more pages to satisfy the most die-hard Harry Potter fan. We wish Jim Dale could read all our audio books. He doesn't just read them, really, he performs them with such energy that our testers looked forward to getting back into the car to hear the next installment! For kids that find an 800+ page book a little daunting, here's a great way to experience the world of Harry Potter. 26 hours & 30 minutes of listening. Age: late school years, 'tweens, teens. Still top rated, the first three audio books in the series. PLATINUM AWARD '01.

Age: . Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

At Quiet O'Clock
(Sally Rogers, Round River $8.98 Score:)

These lullabies are just the ticket for a quiet time-whatever the hour might be. Accompanied by guitar, dulcimer, or piano, this wonderful collection of traditional and original lullabies by award-winning vocalist Sally Rogers is still our favorite!

Age: Infants, Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2001. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Peter Pan
(RCA $9.95 Score:) If you have a child, you need this original cast from the 1954 Broadway production and simply the best! No one sings "Never-Never Land" like Mary Martin!

Age: Preschool,Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: .

Pete Seeger Song and Play Time
(Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, Smithsonian Folkways $15 Score:) Originally issued in 1960, this BLUE CHIP collection is at last on CD with many songs that focus on memory skills-learned in the context of active fun and music. A collection of 16 game songs that includes such favorites as Skip to My Lou, Here We Go Loopy-Loo, I've Been Workin' On the Railroad, and She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain. A great choice for the family as well as group fun. Includes a 12 page booklet with lyrics. 40 mins. 3 & up.(800) 410-9815.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2002.