Audio

Audio books we've enjoyed this year:

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (still our favorite)

The Children of the New Forest  (I hadn't read this, but found it surprisingly beneficial to our studies of American colonial history, though in an indirect way.  Otherwise, it's a bit too boyish for my daughter and a bit too mature for my son, but still a good audiobook)

Ballet Stories (I would highly recommend these stories especially prior to taking a child to the ballet.  It's so much more enjoyable if they know the story and you can download individual titles on the Naxos website)

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Librivox - We liked Chip's voice for this story.  I hadn't read it in years and was a little squirmy about a section or two, but the descriptions of autumn in New England were lovely.)

I am a bit partial to the Naxos productions.  There are so many titles available and I tend to like the readers.  There's no other reason than that.*  Now I used to be absolutely opposed to abridged anything, but I think I'm going to have to look at it one title at a time.  For example, they offer Anne of Green Gables abridged and I could never buy that.  The writing is one of the very best parts, as I've mentioned here before.  But as a way of sparking interest in a story we wouldn't otherwise read, I might be able to talk myself into it.  My daughter flat out refused to open a Little House book until we read our way through the picture books, so in certain circumstances I can see it as helpful.

My insistence on audiobooks for the car has been wholly good.  Not only are we making the most of time that would have otherwise been spent listening to Coldplay, the children's behavior is much better when they are engaged in a story.  (Meaning I'm not yelling at them to just "Be quiet already! I'm driving!")

We will listen to A Christmas Carol (unabridged) coming up in December.  I'm rather frightened of the new movie.  I can't tell you how many great books were spoiled for me because I didn't like the movie or show.  So I think some stories should remain in a child's imagination.  If you have a favorite audiobook of this story, please let me know.  I still need to look around.  We very much enjoyed reading it last winter.

*I see it has become common on blogs to specify whether the reviewer has received free materials or other compensation.  I have not. But if Naxos wants to send me a giant box of audiobooks, I will happily provide my shipping address. ;)

Comments

[Sara]

I don't think there's any reason to abridge A Christmas Carol; it's pretty short! My kids were asking about seeing the movie and I flat out said no. After what Jim Carey and co. did with The Grinch I wouldn't even consider it!

[Jennifer]

Oh no, I wouldn't think of reading the abridged Christmas Carol either. We read it in its entirety last year.

[Janene]

Have you listened to any Shakespeare for children? I'm afraid I'll pick a poorly done version and turn my kids off entirely.

[Carmen]

We lovre listening to books in the car. We've listened to so much stuff including HP which we loved because of Jim Dale. He's a great reader and just so dramatic. We're always listening to something. We've listened to Anne of Green Gables, Ballet Shoes, The Cricket in Times Square, By the Shores of Silver Lake just to name a few. My son doesn't seem to mind that some of the titles are girl-y. I know that he will grow out of that. Anyway, we all get to enjoy a story and I get to listen to some of my childhood favorites. I read A Christmas Carol aloud a few years ago, but it would be fun to listen to it. Oh, we have loved Focus on the Family audio theater. We've listened to the Chronicles of Narnia both as audio theater and the unabridge books as well. We've gotten everything from the library!

Oh, off the subject, I'm really enjoying knitting with Spud&Chloe sweater yarn...soft!

[Sara]

I also love listening to audiobooks in the car, mainly because the kids behave so much better and I don't have to keep disciplining them. It's like magic!