Adult: Simon Prebble

Behind the Mic: Before coming to the U.S. in 1989, Prebble lived in west London and tried his hand at being a radio journalist, a BBC announcer, a voiceover artist and an actor. He even toured with Ian McKellen in Hamlet. When he hit the States, however, he added a new accomplishment to his résumé: he narrated his first audiobook, Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene, for Recorded Books. Since then, he has narrated more than 275 audiobooks, while still maintaining a busy acting career.

Greatest Hits:Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell; Quicksilver; The Book of the Lion; Hitler's Scientists; The Universe in a Nutshell; Intelligence in War.

Why He Strikes the Right Chord: It's not just Prebble's English accent or his rich tenor—though both are certainly pleasing to the ear. Instead, what makes his performances so remarkable is his chameleon-like facility for character and accent. Whether he's impersonating a smug, overbearing British explorer (The Egyptologist), a mischievous fairy king (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell) or a gifted scientist-cum-peacekeeper (Quicksilver), Prebble displays an impressive knack for using subtle changes of intonation to convey character and attitude. He also switches easily between male and female roles. In short, he is a consummate performer, which his stellar contributions to the format in 2004 bear out.

Listen for This:Sails on the Horizon: A Novel of the Napoleonic Wars (coming from Random House in April); Strange Affair: A Novel of Suspense (Harper Audio, Feb.).


Children: Simon Jones

Behind the Mic: British thespian Simon Jones caught the theater bug at a tender age, but truly blossomed at Cambridge University, where he participated in the esteemed Cambridge Footlights Dramatic Club, also the starting point for author Douglas Adams (a longtime friend), Monty Pythoners Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam and John Cleese, and actor Stephen Fry. Film parts and stage roles in both London's West End and on New York's Great White Way followed. Jones became well known in his native England for playing Arthur Dent in both the BBC radio series and BBC TV miniseries of Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, beginning in the late '70s.In 1986, while continuing his stage, film, TV and voiceover work, Jones began narrating audiobooks. Thus far he has more than 50 titles to his credit.

Greatest Hits:The Thief Lord; LionBoy; The Amulet of Samarkand; Millions.

Why He Strikes the Right Chord:Jones's accent is sophisticated without sounding stuffy; his tone is consistently rich and engaging. Of late he's become a master of fantasy/adventure, portraying young heroes-with-heart in suspenseful, colorful tales—from a boy who can communicate with cats to a band of young orphans/urchins on the run in Italy. He makes fluid transitions between character voices (using additional accents, dialects and even an occasional impediment). And by adding nuances of humor and tenderness to his lively readings, he always invites listeners on an enjoyable ride.

Listen for This:No children's titles currently scheduled, but The Illuminator (Audio Renaissance, Feb.), A Slight Trick of the Mind (HighBridge Audio, Apr.) and The Noel Coward Audio Collection (HarperAudio, Apr.) are on tap.