You still can't make me read

Barrie, J. M.: Peter Pan and Wendy
BBC, 2002

Peter Pan is looking for his lost shadow and he ends up to the Darlings’ house one night. Peter Pan is half magical and with a little help of fairy dust he teaches Wendy, Michael and John how to fly. They all fly to Never Never Land, a magical place with wolves, Indians, mermaids and pirates. The leader of the pirates is evil Captain Hook who plots the death of Peter Pan. The children have wonderful adventures with Peter, the fairy Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys. The story is read by Alan Bennett.

Carpenter, Humphrey: Shakespeare without the Boring Bits
Chivers Audio Books, 2002

Shakespeare is a highly respected author who lived over 400 years ago. Although the stories he wrote are old, the themes are still relevant. They are all about love and hate, greed and jealousy and of course magic. This book contains nine famous plays (e. g. Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and the Merchant of Venice) retold in a modern way. Every story is told from a minor character’s point of view. These hilarious stories are read by Carole Boyd.

Colfer, Eoin: The Wish List
BBC Audiobooks, 2002

Meg and Belch are breaking into a pensioner’s flat. In the middle of the robbery Meg decides not to go through it after all. Belch is angry with her and at the same time Lowrie wakes up. Belch plays his bloodthirsty dog off against him. Meg pleads Belch to save the pensioner’s life but Belch starts to run after Meg with the shotgun. Meg is trapped in a corner and when Belch fires the shotgun up in the air, the bullet hits the gas tank and everything explodes. Meg’s soul is hurled to the tunnel and her only salvation to get into Heaven is the Wish List. But will Lowrie the pensioner help her with her task? This book read by James Willby might be too exciting for younger listeners/readers.

Dahl, Roald: The Witches
Chivers Audio Books, 2002

Did you know that the real witches don’t wear black and ride on the broom sticks? They just disguise themselves as nice ordinary ladies. When the narrator’s parents die, he is taken in by the cigar-smoking grandmother who knows everything about witches. Will they outwitch the witches? The book read by Richard Briers is clever and funny the way Roald Dahl always writes. After listening/reading the book you’ll know why bathing is a bit dangerous for children.

Ferrie, Edward: Tales from the Greek Legends
Naxos Audiobooks, 1994

The gods of ancient Greece are like super humans: they are powerful and have special talents. The heroes in these stories have to battle against impossible odds and really hideous monsters. There are stories like the twelve labours of Heracles, one of which includes the killing of Hydra, the many-headed serpent. These vivid tales are read by Benjamin Soames and they are even more dramatic with the famous classical music.

Lewis, C. S.: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Chivers Audio Books, 2002

Four children are sent to live in a creepy old house with an old professor. The youngest of them, Lucy finds an enormous wardrobe which leads to a magical world of Narnia. Narnia is reigned by the wicked White Witch, who has terrorised all as long as anyone can remember. There are fauns, centaurs and unicorns living in Narnia and Lucy soon realises that she has to help the creatures to get rid of the evil White Witch to make Narnia free. But Lucy can’t do everything herself, so she needs the help of Aslan the great Lion. The fantasy classic is narrated by Andrew Sachs.

Milne, A. A.: A Party for Pooh
BBC, 2002

Winnie-the-Pooh is a Bear of Very Little Brain who really loves honey. Christopher Robin, the young human friend of Pooh decides to give a special party for Pooh because he had saved Piglet from the flood. There are five other stories of Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends from the 100 Aker Wood in this book as well. The introduction music leads you to the warm atmosphere of the stories read by Alan Bennett.

Rowling, J. K.: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Cover to Cover, 1999

Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy living in a cupboard under the stairs at his aunt and uncle’s house. When Harry’s eleventh birthday comes he finds out the secret that has been kept from him. He is one of the greatest wizards and he has to go to Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft to learn more of his mysterious heritage. This fascinating book is narrated by Stephen Fry.

Stone, David Lee: The Yowler Foul-up
Hodder Children's Audiobooks, 2004

The Yowler Foul-up is the second part of the Illmoor Chronicles. It is really thrilling story of dark powers and murderous gods told in a rip-roaring manner. A terrible sect tries to destroy the city and Duke Modeset with his loyal servant Pegrant sets out to the quest of saving the city. With the help from a half-vampire Jareth Obegarde and an ex-gravedigger Jimmy Quickstint Duke Modeset battles the dark gods. Will he rescue the city of Illmoor from an ancient, evil god Yowler? Although this book is quite gory it is really hilarious as well. Still, the book read by Tim Piggott-Smith might be too exciting for younger listeners/readers.

Wilson, Jacqueline: Best Friends
BBC Audiobooks, 2004

Gemma and Alice were born on the same day in the same hospital. They have been friends ever since. Gemma is a loud tomboy and Alice is neat and quiet. Although they are not one bit alike they are really inseparable and the share absolutely everything. One day Gemma does a bad thing and reads Alice’s diary. She finds out the Alice isn’t telling her everything after all. She has a Secret. Can Gemma and Alice stay friends anymore? The touching story is narrated by Susannah Harker.

Sari Tamminen

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