Reviews

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Paul Bunyan & Other American Tall Tales (Plain Tales First Tales Series)

CD. 60 min.PlainTales. 2008. ISBN 978-0-98202823-0. $14.95.

School Library Journal, 7/1/2009

K-Gr 5—Three great classic American tall tales, retold by Melody Warnick, present the stories of two fictional characters—Paul Bunyan, the giant lumberjack, and Pecos Bill, the greatest cowboy of all time—as well as Davy Crockett, “king of the wild frontier,” whose life was transformed into a legendary tall-tale after his death. The basics of each tale are true to the original versions. Narrator Stephen McLaughlin perfectly captures the imaginative and humorous antics of these bigger than life heroes. Suitable for public library collections.—Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY

Johnny Appleseed & Other American Legends (Plain Tales Explorers Series)

CD. 67 min.Plain Tales. 2009. ISBN 978-0-9820282-5-4. $12.95.

School Library Journal, 5/1/2009

K-Gr 5—These terrific scripts cover the lives of three American heroes: Johnny Appleseed, Sacagawea, and John Muir. Johnny Appleseed’s roots in Massachusetts and his travels and planting of apple trees in Ohio are described in detail. Kidnapped during a warrior raid of her village, Sacagawea’s life proceeds as if it was a charmed adventure that leads her to be guide to Lewis and Clark in their quest to reach the Pacific Ocean. A deep love of nature drives John Muir in his life’s work to maintain the pristine state of wild areas in our country. The stories are retold by Melody Warnick using fictionalized dialogue and words and phrases that make listeners feel connected to the time period. Tavia Gilbert reads Sacagawea’s segment with excitement and compassion, and Stephen McLaughlin skillfully presents the men’s stories. Useful for units on tall tales and American history, these tales offer a different spin by putting listeners in that place in time.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

JOHNNY APPLESEED AND OTHER AMERICAN LEGENDS
Melody Warnick [Ed.]
Read by Tavia Gilbert, Stephen McLaughlin

Meet three Americans who were rooted in the westward expansion of the American continent whose stories have made them legends. In straightforward narration, each storyteller delves beyond the usual biographical details of Johnny Appleseed, traveling sower of apple seedlings; Sacagawea, Native American guide to the Lewis and Clark Expedition; and John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club. Sympathetic narration expresses the care that Appleseed John gave to both animals and apples, the delight that the foreigner Muir found in the American landscape, and the loyalty and mystery surrounding Sacagawea. PlainTales’ mission is to bring classic literature to families for shared listening and discussion—and with this production it does so very well. A.R. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2009]

Trade Ed. • PlainTales Inc. • 2008
CD ISBN 978-0982028254 $12.95 • One CDs
DD ISBN multiple sources

SELECTED JUST SO STORIES
Rudyard Kipling
Read by Stephen McLaughlin

Kipling’s classic recounts how the elephant got his nose and the rhino his baggy skin; a third story illuminates the nature of cats, who walk alone. Narrator Stephen McLaughlin maintains a steady, deliberate pace that showcases Kipling’s poetic prose, with its alliteration, repetition, and inventive word choice. McLaughlin seems to enjoy creating voices for Kipling’s animal characters, including those in special situations. (For example, there’s the little elephant child speaking through his nose, which is gripped by crocodile’s teeth, and the naughty crocodile, speaking through those clenched teeth.) McLaughlin’s indifferent yawn of a cat voice is especially funny and fitting for this independent-minded creature. These three stories are interspersed with two short poems, making a collection that reinforces the idea of Kipling’s work as prose poetry. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2009]

Trade Ed. • PlainTales Inc. • 2008
CD ISBN 978-0981903262 $12.95 • One CDs
DD ISBN multiple sources

TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS
Andrew Lang [Ed.]
Read by Tavia Gilbert

To save herself and others from being executed, beautiful Scheherazade weaves suspenseful stories, leaving them unfinished, so her sultan husband won’t kill her. In this selection, listeners hear her tale of Aladdin and his magical lamp, and Ali Baba, who must outwit murderous thieves to gain unimaginable riches in a hidden cave. Tavia Gilbert narrates Andrew Lang’s distillation of these classic stories in a way that makes them sound splendid and stately. With their long-ago settings and unfamiliar details, they often seem faintly biblical. Gilbert’s distinct way of speaking emphasizes colorful details (the jeweled windows of Aladdin’s palace, gold gleaming in a cave) while absorbing listeners in the stories’ life-and-death suspense, which makes them best suited for slightly older listeners. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2009]

Trade Ed. • PlainTales Inc. • 2008
CD ISBN 978-0981903248 $12.95 • One CDs
DD ISBN multiple sources

The Gingerbread Boy and Other First Tales

Spring 2009 Storytelling - Parents’ Choice Silver Award
Ages: 3 – 8 yrs.
Producer: Plain Tales Inc.
CD Price: $12.95

Review:
On this CD Tavia Gilbert reads five universally loved, classic stories: The Gingerbread Boy, The Little Red Hen, The Bremen Town Musicians, The Frog Prince, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Gilbert’s professional, animated, and compelling delivery can both entertain young listeners and expose them to time-honored folk tales.
Dr. Flora Joy ©2009 Parents’ Choice

Animal Tales: Raccoon, Bear, and Coyote

Spring 2009 Storytelling – Parents’ Choice Silver Award
Ages: 4 – 10 yrs.
Producer: Plain Tales Inc.
CD Price: $12.95

Review:
Beginning with “Lotor on His Own” (the story of a young raccoon barely old enough to leave its home), suspense builds as this fledgling creature struggles to become an adult. “Osa’s Moving Day” describes a bear’s den-building adventure. The final story chronicles Hazard (a coyote) as he deals with both his own fierce hunger and his loyalty to the other hungry members in his pack.

Loaded with plush details about the habitat, feeding customs, and survival behaviors of the bear, coyote, and raccoon, these stories have solid appeal. These three exciting presentations are learning and listening treasures.

The Reluctant Dragon

Spring 2009 Audio Book - Parents’ Choice Silver Award
Ages: 5 & Up
Producer: Plain Tales Inc.
CD Price: $12.95

Review:
Kenneth Grahame’s 1898 timeless children’s story is brought to life in this captivating audio book. The story begins in the Berkshire Downs of Oxfordshire when a young boy encounters a dragon living in a nearby cave. The dragon is uncharacteristically lazy and complacent; he doesn’t like doing battle. The boy and the dragon become friends and secretly hang out together. When the villagers discover a dragon in their midst, they immediately summon St George to kill it. The elderly St George prefers his peaceful life –and the boy, dragon, and dragon-slayer conjure up a cunning plan to fool the townsfolk.

While enjoying the commanding and powerful vocal delivery of this age-old story, listeners can reflect upon the advantages of nonviolent problem-solving as they also reassess the benefits of friendship. This audio book offers a highly professional literary connection that is both exciting and appealing.

Review: The Plain Tales Series

Retold by Melody Warnick
Read by Tavia Gilbert & Stephen McLaughlin
The “Plain Tales” series consists of brief audiobooks, each on a single CD, that retell classic stories suitable for all ages.

“The Gingerbread Boy & Other First Tales” (9780982028223, 48 min.) offers five classic children’s fairy tales, “Gingerbread Boy,” “Billy Goats Gruff”, “Frog Prince”, “Little Red Hen”, and “Bremen Town Musicians”.

“Paul Bunyan & Other American Tall Tales” (9780982028230, 60 min.) brings to life amazing legends from the American frontier, about such memorable figures as Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, and Davy Crockett.

“Animal Tales: Raccoon, Bear & Coyote” (9780982028247, 48 min.) has three stories about the titular creatures, from a coyote struggling to survive a bleak winter to a young raccoon searching for shelter from predators to a brown bear who seeks to build the perfect winter den.

“Johnny Appleseed & Other American Legends” (9780982028254, 67 min.) tells the true stories of legendary pioneers in America, from Johnny Appleseed to Sacagawea to Lewis & Clark and defender of nature John Muir.

All are highly recommended especially for long car trips or rainy day listening fun, and excellent additions to public library audiobook collections for children.

Reviewed by The Midwest Book Review Audiobook Shelf

Review: Animal Tales: Raccoon Bear & Coyote

Grade: A+

PlainTales presents Animal Tales: Raccoon, Bear & Coyote. This is not your conventional story telling in which a small loveable animal is given anthropomorphic qualities to help kids relate to the character but more a nature story.

Raccoon, Bear and Coyote represents a very fine collection of seemingly day in the life stories fantastically crafted with engaging writing and excellent narration. The kids and I listened to this CD in the car while on a drive and not just the kids but myself became intrigued by the stories. For very short stories they pack a lot of suspense and even a bit of education as the writer includes within the animals actions natural occurrences such as hibernation, burrowing, and even aggression. The CD begins with the story of a young Raccoon who must learn to fend for himself on his first day alone then moves onto a female black bear who must find a new home and then finally onto a pack of coyotes who must find food in the face of the oncoming winter. Simply amazing one and all and I can’t say enough about the story writing and the narration delivery which makes the stories ten times what they would have been if read alone. A truly fantastic CD to add to any family collection and one that can be listened to repeatedly. Enjoy.

Reviewed by AJ Garcia – February 3, 2009

Review: The Gingerbread Boy and Other First Tales + Animal Tales

My kids always want to listen to tunes or stories in the car. Unfortunately, their CD choices do not include Death Cab for Cutie or the latest Anita Shreve book on tape. We’ve been through the Raffi, Laurie, Milkshake archives and have listened to dozens of Disney stories. I can sing and recite their favorites in my sleep. Check this out: “You can read along with me in your book. You will know it’s time to turn the page when Tinker Bell rings her little bells like this ding. Let’s begin now.”

Thank goodness we have some new stories in the rotation now: PlainTales. This series offers classic kids stories on CD.

The first CD is PlainTales First Tales, which includes the timeless stories of The Gingerbread Boy, The Billy Goats Gruff, The Frog Prince, Little Red Hen and The Bremen Town Musicians. All are told with simple, engaging language perfect for kids 0-6 years.

Next is PlainTales Explorers Animal Tales. This CD tells the longer, more mature and nature-focused stories of three brave animals. Kids 4 and up, especially Animal Planet devotees, will love learning of how Hazard the coyote must ﬁnd food for his pack, how a young raccoon named Lotor needs to ﬁnd a new home and how Osa the brown bear builds the perfect winter den. These stories about ﬁctional animal friends are rich with detail about real animal behaviors, so children learn as they enjoy the fun.

Reviewed by Jessica McFadden

Review: The Gingerbread Boy and Other First Tales + Animal Tales

Plain Tales First Tales, debuting March 10, introduces ‘The Gingerbread Boy and Other First Tales’ and ‘Animal Tales: Raccoon, Bear & Coyote’. Plain Tales offers classic stories on CDs for those of us on the go. Now you can play them any time! Created by Brian Keairns, a writer and father, who believes in the power of stories being read aloud to assist children in developing those critical language and thinking skills. They are also pretty entertaining too!

‘The Gingerbread Boy’ ($12.95) starts out with the classic tale of the naughty Gingerbread boy himself, which is a favorite of my three year-old. She loved hearing the story aloud just like she does at school and home but in the quiet of her room. It was a great way for her to have additional stories as she drifted off to sleep at night or during a nap. Billy Goat Gruff, Frog Prince and the Little Red Hen are also included on this 48 minute CD.

‘Animal Tales: Raccoon, Bear & Coyote’ ($12.95) is part of the Plain Tales Explorers collection. This 48 minute CD is the tale of Lotor a young raccoon, Hazard the coyote, and Osa the brown bear who all need to find new homes for various foresty reasons. It is a wonderful tale about friendship and animal behavior. It is also one that your child will love to hear over and over again.

Reviewed by Victoria Mason

Review: The Gingerbread Boy and Other First Tales

This is my kids favorite. The listened to it at bedtime and then requested it again in the car for our errands the next morning. They are read by professional people with great voices that draw you into the story. We will be back for more titles as they come available. Thanks for making these classics available in such a great Audiobook!

Reviewed by Christina Harman

Review: The Tailor of Gloucester and Other Tales by Beatrix Potter: The Best Tales of Beatrix Potter

The classic stories of Beatrix Potter come alive when read by Tavia Gilbert. When I’ve read them to my children out loud I didn’t quite do them justice but Ms Gilbert does an excellent job of presenting them in full animation and clarity of voice. My children have listened to them over and over with great enjoyment.

Reviewed by Amy L. Davidson

Review: Tales from the Arabian Nights: Scheherazade, Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

I love Disney, but when it comes to stories, I like my children to have an appreciation for true literature. Plain Tales has made my job easier! Now I can have my children listening to great classic literature without the time it takes to track down these sometimes hard to find books and while freeing me up to do something else. My toddler son and my elementary aged girls all enjoy this specific cd. It is definately the next best thing to listening to mom read. The story telling is engaging and enjoyable to listen to. These cds are great for a story before an afternoon nap, a car ride, bedtime stories or really anytime. My son often just goes in his room when he is bored and puts one on for himself. They are a great buy and would make a wonderful gift!

Reviewed by L. Potteiger

Review: Johnny Appleseed and Other American Legends: Johnny Appleseed, Sacagawea with Lewis and Clark and John Muir

As a homeschooling mother of four, I am always looking for ways to enhance my children’s curriculum. This version of Johnny Appleseed far exceeded my expectations. The reading is clear and thoughtful, without using silliness and slang to gain the interest of the children. Even my three year old enjoys listening to the story again and again. Unlike other audio stories created for children, I don’t feel as though I am going to pull my hair out when I hear this CD in the player. A definite must-have for any family that loves Tall Tales.

Reviewed by Jessica R. Krom

Review: Paul Bunyan and Other American Tall Tales: Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, and Davy Crockett

My son (7 years old) loves books and I love reading the classics to him. But I’m finding it harder and harder to find time to read to him. When I found Plain Tales I was so excited to discover a new way to “read” the classics to my son. I play the CD’s while he’s in the bath or playing with Legos or getting ready for bed and he loves them. We’ve listened to “Paul Bunyan and Other Tall Tales” and “Johnny Appleseed and Other American Legends.” The stories on the Johnny Appleseed CD are actually biographies but read in a captivating way as if they were stories. The narrators are fabulous. They have pleasant voices to listen to and use fun character-voices too. My son also enjoys the special song at the beginning and end of the CD’s. I am very pleased with Plain Tales and look forward to listening to more classic stories.

Reviewed by N. OMeara

Review: Johnny Appleseed and Other American Legends: Johnny Appleseed, Sacagawea with Lewis and Clark and John Muir

My children and I enjoyed listening to these stories! The readers’ voices are clear and smooth. The stories are a perfect length – about 20 minutes each – for listening on trips in the car or before bed. A great introduction to some foundational historic figures.

Reviewed by Cynthia L. Frady

Review: Animal Tales

A delightful set of stories about three different animals and a little piece out of their daily lives. These are definitely what I call “living stories” The tales were masterfully woven and children learn all sorts of wonderful things about how the animals live, what it eats, how it acts BUT the child never knows that they are actually “learning” anything because the stories are so captivating. The well-chosen, descriptive vocabulary brings the animals alive, you can actually see them on the movie screen in your mind!

Thanks Melody Warnick, your keen observation of the animal world and your enchanting communication made these an enjoyable hour for my family! The only complaint we had about these stories is that they came to an end too quickly!

Reviewed by Amy L. Davidson