Classics Audiobooks

Thumbelina and Other Fairy Tales

This delightful selection of stories by one of the classic masters of the genre includes some well-known and lesser known tales, presented in lively Naxos AudioBooks style with music and sound effects. This recording is also unique in that the stories are read by the finalists in the Naxos AudioBooks/The Times Voice of the Year competition which offered a recording opportunity to talented readers who had never studied or worked professionally. The competition produced some outstanding natural talents as this recording shows!

Hans Christian Andersen (Author), Various Readers (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Wouldbegoods

The Wouldbegoods, a sequel to The Treasure Seekers, reacquaints us with the six Bastable children: Dora, Oswald, Dicky, Alice, Noel and H. O. Again, the story is told by you-may-not-know-who, and the children find all sorts of ways in which to amuse themselves in the country during the summer holidays. 'Children are like jam,' says the Indian uncle, 'all very well in the proper place, but you can't stand them all over the shop - eh, what?' Well, the children do their best, but they do get themselves into trouble - right from the beginning, when their latest brainwave is to create a jungle in the garden...

Edith Nesbit (Author), Teresa Gallagher (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Cay

Read Theodore Taylor's classic bestseller and Lewis Carroll Shelf Award winner The Cay. Phillip is excited when the Germans invade the small island of Curaçao. War has always been a game to him, and he's eager to glimpse it firsthand-until the freighter he and his mother are traveling to the United States on is torpedoed. When Phillip comes to, he is on a small raft in the middle of the sea. Besides Stew Cat, his only companion is an old West Indian, Timothy. Phillip remembers his mother's warning about black people: They are different, and they live differently. But by the time the castaways arrive on a small island, Phillip's head injury has made him blind and dependent on Timothy. Mr. Taylor has provided an exciting story…The idea that all humanity would benefit from this special form of color blindness permeates the whole book…The result is a story with a high ethical purpose but no sermon. New York Times Book Review A taut tightly compressed story of endurance and revelation…At once barbed and tender, tense and fragile as Timothy would say, 'outrageous good.' Kirkus Reviews * Fully realized setting…artful, unobtrusive use of dialect…the representation of a hauntingly deep love, the poignancy of which is rarely achieved in children's literature. School Library Journal, Starred Starkly dramatic, believable and compelling. Saturday Review A tense and moving experience in reading. Publishers Weekly Eloquently underscores the intrinsic brotherhood of man. Booklist 'This is one of the best survival stories since Robinson Crusoe.' The Washington Star A New York Times Best Book of the Year A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Horn Book Honor Book An American Library Association Notable Book A Publishers Weekly Children's Book to Remember A Child Study Association's Pick of Children's Books of the Year Jane Addams Book Award Lewis Carroll Shelf Award Commonwealth Club of California: Literature Award Southern California Council on Literature for Children and Young People Award Woodward School Annual Book Award Friends of the Library Award, University of California at Irvine From the Hardcover edition.

Theodore Taylor (Author), Michael Boatman (Narrator)

Audiobook

Pinky Pye

Eleanor Estes is a Newbery Award winner and best-selling author of the world famous children's book Ginger Pye (RB# 95833). Just like Ginger Pye, Pinky Pye is the touching story of a family's beloved pet. Pinky Pye is a smart and vibrant black cat. She can play games and even type on a typewriter! When the Pye family finds her, they know they can never let her go. This fun-filled story features a cheerful reading from acclaimed narrator Kate Forbes.

Eleanor Estes (Author), Kate Forbes (Narrator)

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Raggedy Andy Stories

This unabridged recording contains all the original Raggedy Andy stories as Andy is reunited with his sister, Raggedy Ann, and brings a dance, a pillow fight, and a taffy pull into the lives of the other dolls.Andy bravely ventures into the gutter to find the penny dolls, "cures" the French doll, and encounters the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and a beautiful seashell. First introduced in 1920, Raggedy Andy has charmed millions of children with his always warm and optimistic outlook and calm approach to difficulties. Performed by Swoosie Kurtz

Johnny Gruelle (Author), Swoosie Kurtz (Narrator)

Audiobook

Rilla of Ingleside

With translations into 15 languages, renowned author L.M. Montgomery penned some 500 short stories and poems as well as the classic Anne of Green Gables novels. Rilla Blythe, youngest daughter of Anne, is almost 15 in 1914. As her brothers and friends prepare to go off to battle, the irrepressible Rilla realizes that she will be changed forever and the world will never be the same. Narrator Barbara Caruso presents a poignant delivery of this family classic.

L.M. Montgomery (Author), Barbara Caruso (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Berenstain Bears Holiday Audio Collection

Five of the Berenstain Bears' very popular books The Berenstain Bears Save Christmas: This year it seems everyone in Bear Country has gone Christmas-crazy, and Mama Bear is concerned the true holiday spirit has been lost. Santa worries also, and is ready to cancel Christmas! Now it's up to the Berenstain Bears to change his mind. The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear: How can Santa's sleigh land with no snow? How can he fit down all those skinny chimneys? These and other questions and the true meaning of Christmas are revealed. The Berenstain Bears' Thanksgiving: The Bear family happily prepares their holiday feast, but danger lurks. The legendary monster, Bigpaw, is coming to Bear Country and it's up to Brother and Sister Bear to save the day. The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin: The Bear family may not win the blue ribbon in the pumpkin contest at the Thanksgiving Festival, but they do remember all that there is to be thankful for. The Berenstain Bears' Comic Valentine: The day of Brother Bear's championship hockey game has arrived. It's also the day he finds out the identity of his secret admirer. Who can she be? Brother is in for a big surprise! Includes an interview with Stan, Jan, and Mike Berenstain.

Jan Berenstain, Stan Berenstain (Author), Jan Berenstain (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Little Princess

Ten-year-old Sarah Crue arrives at Miss Minchin's London boarding school arrayed like a princess. She wears velvet, lace and silk, carries a gorgeous life-like doll, and has a French maid. Charming and imaginative, she soon becomes the envy of the other girls. When tragedy suddenly takes away Sarah's fine clothes and privileges, her schoolmates wait to see if she will give up. But, now living in the school's dingy attic and toiling long hours for the demanding students who were once her friends, Sarah's generous spirit remains untouched by the hardship and cruelty. Frances Hodgson Burnett earned a special place in children's hearts with her wonderful books which include The Secret Garden. Since 1905, A Little Princess has captivated countless readers, and recently it has been made into a major motion picture. Now, through Leishman's lyrical narration, Sarah and the other unforgettable characters of this delightful riches-to-rags tale speak to new generations.

Frances Hodgson Burnett (Author), Virginia Leishman (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Lost Prince

The wonderful adventure story of two boys, one the son of a mysterious impoverished grandee and the other the handicapped son of a n'eer-do-well drunkard. The boys together travel thru Europe on a Secret Mission and help wrest a fictitious country called ""Samavia"" from its wicked rulers and place the legendary and rightful heir on the throne denied the dynasty for over 500 years. "In every nook and cranny, high and low, they sought for him...he had vanished as a star vanishes when it drops from its place in the sky." From the author of such children's classics as The Secret Garden and A Little Princess comes this enchanting story of a young boy discovering his true destiny. Twelve-year-old Marco knows he is being trained for something, but he isn't sure what. All his life he has traveled with his father in secrecy, learning many languages and the ways of a gentleman, but forbidden to speak about their country of origin, Samavia. Samavia has been fraught with war for the last five hundred years, ever since the prince mysteriously disappeared. But now, there is hope that peace may come at last, as it has been rumored that a descendant of the lost prince may have been found. And Marco is about to take on a secret quest that will change everything for his family and his country. Table of Contents: Chapter 01: The New Lodgers At No. 7 Philibert Place Chapter 02: A Young Citizen Of The World Chapter 03: The Legend Of The Lost Prince Chapter 04: The Rat Chapter 05: ""Silence Is Still The Order"" Chapter 06: The Drill And The Secret Party Chapter 07: ""The Lamp Is Lighted!"" Chapter 08: An Exciting Game Chapter 09: ""It Is Not A Game"" Chapter 10: The Rat--And Samavia Chapter 11: ""Come With Me"" Chapter 12: ""Only Two Boys"" Chapter 13: Loristan Attends A Drill Of The Squad Chapter 14: Marco Does Not Answer Chapter 15: A Sound In A Dream Chapter 16: The Rat To The Rescue Chapter 17: ""It Is A Very Bad Sign"" Chapter 18: ""Cities And Faces"" Chapter 19: ""That Is One!"" Chapter 20: Marco Goes To The Opera Chapter 21: ""Help!"" Chapter 22: The Night Vigil Chapter 23: The Silver Horn Chapter 24: ""How Shall We Find Him?"" Chapter 25: A Voice In The Night Chapter 26: Across The Frontier Chapter 27: ""It Is The Lost Prince! It Is Ivor!"" Chapter 28: ""Extra! Extra! Extra!"" Chapter 29: 'Twixt Night And Morning Chapter 30: The Game Is At An End Chapter 31: ""The Son Of Stefan Loristan"" AUTHOR Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) was an English-born author of romances and books for children. After moving to America in 1865 she established a popular reputation with the publication of That Lass o'Lowries in 1877. She is best known for such stories as Little Lord Fauntleroy, The Little Princess, and The Secret Garden. COMMENTARY Reviews for Alcazar AudioWorks' production of The Lost Prince "A Christian story of patriotism, courage, honor, and charity, The Lost Prince...will appeal especially to young boys but is a wonderful book for family listening...David Thorn, the book's reader, does a convincing job (without being too theatrical) performing each character's voice."-Faith & Family Unlikely Heroes David Thorn performed this tale as if he had written it; a once upon a time, gritty, long, long ago and definitely not a Shirley Temple version. His voice has a grand log fire, rocking chair, candlelight, weathered quality to it. One can hear the smile in his tones. I changed my mind a few times about this book. I finally settled on liking it, but it is not on par with ""The Secret Garden"" or ""A Little Princess"". However, many books I enjoy fall short of the merits of those works. In any case, Frances Hodgson Burnett was no sentimentalist. The story is set before WWI shook the foundations of many royal houses of Europe in a time of secret societies, assignation plots and counter plots. After showing themselves up to the task, the heroes, two young boys are sent on a mission carrying a secret message which signals the start of a revolt against a bloody tyrant of a small country. A bit surprising considering the period, one of the boys is a cripple, from polio I surmise. I don't recall another such in the role of hero from literature of the time. Listener Review - Audible.com "

Frances Hodgson Burnett (Author), David Thorn (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Wind In The Willows

When the Water Rat invites the unassuming Mole to spend his first day ever in a boat on the river, and wise Badger comes along for the ride as well, so begins a marvellous season of adventure for the three friends. Mr Toad (he of Toad Hall) completes a happy foursome, but his tendency to get into hot water leads him into some rather hair-raising scrapes of his own.From an idyllic riverside picnic to a snowy encounter in the Wild Wood, and from poop-pooping in Toad's shiny new motor car to battling the massed ranks of Stoats, Weasels, and Ferrets in a battle for Toad Hall, there's never a dull moment when they are all together! In his own inimitable style, Alan Bennett gives voice to each and every character in Kenneth Grahame's beguiling novel.

Kenneth Grahame (Author), Alan Bennett (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sarah, Plain and Tall Collection

"Did Mama sing every day?" Caleb asks his sister Anna. "Every-single-day," she answers. "Papa sang, too." This Newbery Medal winning book is the first of five books in Patricia MacLachlan's chapter book series about the Witting family. Set in the late nineteenth century and told from young Anna's point of view, Sarah, Plain and Tall tells the story of how Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton comes from Maine to the prairie to answer Papa's advertisement for a wife and mother. Before Sarah arrives, Anna and her younger brother Caleb wait and wonder. Will Sarah be nice? Will she sing? Will she stay? This children's literature classic is perfect for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie books, historical fiction, and timeless stories using rich and beautiful language. Sarah, Plain and Tall gently explores themes of abandonment, loss and love. This collection includes the first three books in the series: Sarah, Plain and Tall, Skylark, and Caleb's Story. Supports the Common Core State Standards

Patricia MacLachlan (Author), Glenn Close (Narrator)

Audiobook

Tales From the Arabian Nights: Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Other Stories

Toby Stephens takes us back to the world of cunning, adventure, mishap and fun. Sheherezade, night after night, weaves her tales and Aladdin and his Magic Lamp, Sinbad the Sailor, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and other tales come alive. The unforgettable music of Rimsky Korsakov sets the scene perfectly. A delightful treat for young listeners.

Andrew Lang (Author), Toby Stephens (Narrator)

Audiobook