Listening Library

Children's Bookwatch, Feb, 2005

Listening Library

1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019

1-800-726-0600 listenlinglibrary.com

Four excellent audio CD packages excel in unabridged presentations and fine readers. Jim Dale performs the classic Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1400086-035, $19.00), which deserves year-round mention as a collection staple, not just for Christmas listening. Jim Dale captures the drama and lively lessons of a stingy wealthy man who confronts his lonely future ala a ghost. The three books in Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' set come to life in unabridged audio cds performed by both the author and a full cast. The Golden Compass (0887284714, $44.00) presents Book 1 on 9 compact discs, telling of a fearsome uncle who draws wild child Lyra into a terrible struggle involving stolen children and armored bears. The Subtle Knife (0807204722, $40.00) is Book 2 on 8 compact discs, providing a sequel in which Lyra is an a haunted world facing soul-eating stalkers and a pre-teen ally. Book 3, The Amber Spyglass (0807262813, $54.00) provides the conclusion on 12 compact discs, where Lyra and Will face more danger to journey to a world where no living soul has ever gone. The set together is powerful--even more so in all its audio drama than the books themselves.