Children’s Audio Notes

Initially published in print in 1940, the first book about BFFs Betsy and Tacy comes to audio in a fresh-sounding new recording of Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace, read by Sutton Foster. Broadway actress Foster’s bright and youthful voice is a great fit for the carefree and imaginative adventures of the five-year-old girls set at the dawn of the 20th century. (HarperChildren’s Audio, unabridged, two CDs, two hours $17.95 ISBN 978-0-06-125458-1 ages 7-10; July)

Sure, this summer’s flick Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End may have visual splash, but a new recording of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, read by Alfred Molina, serves up a swashbuckling listening experience for the whole family. Molina’s British accent, smooth delivery and inviting tone of wide-eyed adventure whisk readers on deck with teenage narrator/protagonist Jim Hawkins. His depictions of gruff seamen and the program’s occasional snippets of sea chantey music further color the proceedings. A bonus essay by maritime scholar David Cordingly is included. (Listening Library, unabridged, six CDs, seven hours $29.95 ISBN 978-0-7393-5046-1 ages 9-up; July)

Full Cast Audio, now distributed to the trade by Harcourt, is releasing its top backlist titles (previously marketed to the school and library market) in new retail packaging in October. The unabridged recordings include The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger, (three CDs, 3 hours $24.95 ISBN 978-1-934180-06-8 ages 12-up); Airborn by Kenneth Oppel, a recent Audie Award winner (10 CDs, 10.5 hours $44.95 ISBN 978-1-934180-04-4 ages 10-up); The Moffats by Eleanor Estes (four CDs, 3.5 hours $29.95 ISBN 978-1-934180-07-5 ages 8-up); The Misfits by James Howe (four CDs, five hours $29.95 ISBN 978-1-934180-11-2 ages 10-up); and Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorenson (four CDs, 4.5 hours $29.95 ISBN 978-1-934180-10-5 ages 5-up).