Audiobooks Narrated by Susan McCarthy

Anne of Green Gables

Anne Shirley, the orphan child who brings happiness and love into the lives of her foster family, is one of the most beloved heroines in all of literature. This wildly imaginative, red-headed chatterbox tries to fit into the narrow confines of Victorian expectations, but her exuberant spirit keeps leaping delightfully beyond the bounds. When Marilla Cuthbert and her brother Matthew find that they are getting too old to work the farm by themselves, they decide to adopt an orphan boy to help out. To their dismay, they are sent a girl by mistake-an impetuous girl with a hopeless lack of manners. Pragmatic Marilla is determined to return her, but warm-hearted Matthew urges that she be given a chance to prove herself. The challenge laid down for this eleven-year-old girl-and the mishaps that befall her before she wins the heart of her foster mother-make for a delightfully charming story.

L.M. Montgomery (Author), Susan McCarthy (Narrator)

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Queer Little Folks

The story telling genius of Harriet Beecher Stowe is never more obvious than in these animal stories. Meant to enchant as well as instruct young listeners on the dilemmas we face growing up, Ms. Stowe sees through the eyes of the forest creatures, large and small, and shows us how things might work in the adventure of growing "big". This set of short tales include: 1. Hen that Hatched Ducks 2. The Nutcrackers of Nutcracker Lodge 3. The History of Tip-Top 4. Miss Katy-did and Miss Cricket 5. Mother Magpie's Mischief 6. The Squirrels That Live in a House 7. Hum, Son of Buz 8. Our Country Neighbors 9. The Diverting History of Little Whiskey AUTHOR Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) was an American author who became a major catalyst for the abolishion of slavery with her novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. A deeply religious woman from an enormous and devout family, Stowe had enormous compassion for the plight of slaves and infused her writings with humanity, creating characters and situations that resonated with people all over the world. The impact of Uncle Tom's Cabin was so profound, that when Abraham Lincoln met Harriet Beecher Stowe, he reportedly said ""So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war."" COMMENTARY Quotes about Queer Little Folks This was an awesome and amazing book of several wonderful little moral tales, mostly told from the perspective of cleverly anthropomorphized animals such as inhabit the woods of New England. The stories are witty, and clever. There are subtle puns and the characters are keenly portrayed. I also found that the attitude and morals are almost surprisingly in line with those of today--although there was more mention of death than you'd find in a contemporary book of children's tales. I'd totally recommend reading this, and reading it to any and all small children that you can get to sit still long enough to listen. (Amazon.com) "

Harriet Beecher Stowe (Author), Bobbie Frohman, Susan McCarthy (Narrator)

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Anne of Green Gables

Anne is adopted by the Cuthberts even after a great mistake at the orphanage. But the frail red-headed young girl stays, even though not wanted at first. She is raised strictly but lovingly by the Cuthberts whose world is set upside down by her wonderful, creative and sometime crazy and eccentric ways. In the end, she gives them endless joy as she grows into womanhood. Table of Contents: Chapter I - Mrs. Rachel Lynde Is Surprised Chapter II - Matthew Cuthbert Is Surprised Chapter III - Marilla Cuthbert Is Surprised Chapter IV - Morning at Green Gables Chapter V - Anne's History Chapter VI - Marilla Makes Up Her Mind Chapter VII - Anne Says Her Prayers Chapter VIII - Anne's Bringing-Up Is Begun Chapter IX - Mrs. Rachel Lynde Is Properly Horrified Chapter X - Anne's Apology Chapter XI - Anne's Impressions of Sunday School Chapter XII - A Solemn Vow and Promise Chapter XIII - The Delights of Anticipation Chapter XIV - Anne's Confession Chapter XV - A Tempest in the School Teapot Chapter XVI - Diana Is Invited to Tea with Tragic Results Chapter XVII - A New Interest in Life Chapter XVIII - Anne to the Rescue Chapter XIX - A Concert a Catastrophe and a Confession Chapter XX - A Good Imagination Gone Wrong Chapter XXI - A New Departure in Flavorings Chapter XXII - Anne is Invited Out to Tea Chapter XXIII - Anne Comes to Grief in an Affair of Honor Chapter XXIV - Miss Stacy and Her Pupils Get Up a Concert Chapter XXV - Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves Chapter XXVI - The Story Club Is Formed Chapter XXVII - Vanity and Vexation of Spirit Chapter XXVIII - An Unfortunate Lily Maid Chapter XXIX - An Epoch in Anne's Life Chapter XXX - The Queens Class Is Organized Chapter XXXI - Where the Brook and River Meet Chapter XXXII - The Pass List Is Out Chapter XXXIII - The Hotel Concert Chapter XXXIV - A Queen's Girl Chapter XXXV - The Winter at Queen's Chapter XXXVI - The Glory and the Dream Chapter XXXVII - The Reaper Whose Name Is Death Chapter XXXVIII - The Bend in the Road AUTHOR Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874 - 1942), was a Canadian writer of novels, short stories and poetry. Most of Montgomery's novels take place on Prince Edward Island in Canada, and she has brought lasting fame to her home. COMMENTARY Reviews for Alcazar AudioWorks' production of Anne of Green Gables Of course, we've loved Anne-with-an-e and her adventures for a long time. We were first introduced to her through a mini-series on videotape, and we fell in love with this intrepid character who rose from neglected orphanhood to become a source of pride and a support to her adoptive family, bringing them joy along the way. From that early introduction, which left us wanting more, we turned to the books, beginning with Anne of Green Gables, of course, and working our way through the series. However, the first book remains our favorite. Now Alcazar Audioworks has released an unabridged reading of Anne of Green Gables. (I just love audiobooks, especially when they are well-produced and read with skill and enthusiasm. I've always loved being read-to, from my earliest years, and with audiobooks I can be among the listeners once more. In addition, audiobooks allow us to listen while accomplishing other tasks: washing dishes, folding laundry, picking up, even artwork or handcrafts.) Susan McCarthy does a wonderful job of reading, infusing Anne with enthusiasm, Marilla with proper stiffness, even bewilderment at this whirlwind responsibility she's taken on, expressing Matthew's shy kindness. It's a pleasure to follow Anne's fortunes and follies from the beginning to the end of the book. As a matter of fact, when we reached the last CD in this particular set, rather than going on to another book, we decided to listen all over again! I think we just might be kindred spirits. If you don't recognize that reference, you really ought to make Anne's acquaintance. Alcazar Audioworks' Anne of Green Gables would make a delightful starting place. Reviewed By: Jean Hall - EHO Eclectic Homeschool Online Quotes about Anne of Green Gables ""The sweetest creation of child life yet written."" (Mark Twain) "

L.M. Montgomery (Author), Susan McCarthy (Narrator)

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The Peterkin Papers

Originally appearing as a series of short stories in a children's magazine, The Peterkin Papers is a collection of tales of a hysterically inept family named The Peterkins. The Peterkin's unfortunate lack of common sense causes hilarious unintended consequences nearly everytime they have an idea. The Peterkins muddle through life's challenges with love and cooperation, but when they come to their wits' end, they know they need help. The Peterkins decide to consult the wise, sensible ""Lady from Philadelphia"" who manages to extricate them from their troubles with sensible commonplace solutions. Table of Contents Chapter 01: The Lady Who Put Salt In Her Coffee Chapter 02: About Elizabeth Eliza's Piano Chapter 03: The Peterkins Try To Become Wise Chapter 04: Solomon John's Book Chapter 05: Mrs. Peterkin Wishes To Go To Drive Chapter 06: The Peterkins At Home. At Dinner Chapter 07: Why The Peterkins Had A Late Dinner Chapter 08: The Peterkins' Summer Journey Chapter 09: The Peterkins Snowed-Up Chapter 10: The Peterkins Decide To Keep A Cow Chapter 11: The Peterkins' Christmas-Tree Chapter 12: Mrs. Peterkin's Tea-Party Chapter 13: The Peterkins Too Late For The Exhibition Chapter 14: The Peterkins Celebrate The Fourth Of July Chapter 15: The Peterkins' Picnic Chapter 16: The Peterkins' Charades Chapter 17: The Peterkins Are Obliged To Move Chapter 18: The Peterkins Decide To Learn The Languages Chapter 19: Modern Improvements At The Peterkins' Chapter 20: Agamemnon's Career Chapter 21: The Educational Breakfast Chapter 22: The Peterkins At The ""Carnival Of Authors"" In Boston Chapter 23: The Peterkins At The Farm AUTHOR Lucretia P. Hale Lucretia Peabody Hale (1820-1900) was a successful novelist, journalist and served as a member of the Boston School Committee. Born in Boston to a newspaper publisher father, Hale developed her writing skills early on. One of eleven children, Hale came from a family of prominent writers, lawyers, politicians and ministers. Hale's childrens' stories are filled with humor and charm, entertaining for adults as well as children. COMMENTARY Reviews for Alcazar AudioWorks' production of The Peterkin Papers The recommended age range for listening to The Peterkin Papers is ages 4-8, but really, I get as much of a kick out of listening to books read aloud as the kids do, especially amusing books about people who do even sillier things than we do! (And we've had some doozies...) Although the Peterkins seem to be quite sedate and conventional on the surface, and somewhat ambitious, at least when one looks at the names of their children (Agamemnon and Solomon John, for two of them), you start to get an idea of quirkiness when you hear their daughter's name, Elizabeth Eliza. And then, of course, there are the Little Boys who never are named other than ""the Little Boys"" as if they always do things together. Come to think of it, we have some of those around here. Each of the chapters starts with a situation commonly found at home: buying and decorating a Christmas tree, moving, going shopping, going on a picnic, going on vacation, building a home library, going to a graduation, getting ""snowed up"" (though we call it ""snowed in"" at our house), and more. But when the Peterkins are involved, no commonplace situation remains commonplace. Instead of sawing off the bottom of their too-tall Christmas tree, for example, they renovate Elizabeth Eliza's room on the second floor to accommodate the unexpected height of the tree on the floor below, leaving her with a large hump in the middle of her bedroom! And starting off for town, Mrs. Peterkin simply cannot get the horse to go, no matter what she tries. (Whipping the horse, and then whipping up a confection and feeding the confection to the horse are two things. As it turns out, what the horse really needed was to be untied from the hitching post!) When snowed in, they make all sorts of plans to stave off starvation (some of which frighten me, for they involve sawing holes in the side of their house... please don't let our small fry get any ideas from the listening!) only to find that the snow has stopped falling by afternoon and their milkman has arrived with the day's milk! I kept finding myself holding my breath as an episode proceeded, starting out ""normal"" and getting more and more absurd as we went along... until, of course, the common-sense ending, usually rescuing the Peterkins from their folly in the nick of time. Quite often the rescuer is ""the Lady from Philadelphia,"" a lovely and gracious friend whom they often call on for help when they are perplexed. I do love to hear a read aloud that's well done, with differing voices for the characters, and ""unabridged"" is one thing I look for in any literary product. You'll find both these qualities in this CD set from Alcazar AudioWorks. Highly recommended. Reviewed By: Virginia Jones - EHO Eclectic Homeschool Online "

Lucretia P. Hale (Author), Susan McCarthy (Narrator)

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A Book of Golden Deeds

The traditional Fairy Tales with all the charm and fun of the familiar stories. Cinderella gets her Prince, Rumplestiltskin loses his prize, and the Frog Prince gets his princess. The beloved tales known for so many years and presented in an entertaining and wonderfully appealing way, with a full cast of characters, performed by voice actors. AUTHOR Traditional Traditional folk stories, many called fairy tales, have been recorded by writers since the time the stories were told by oral tradition in various cultures. COMMENTARY Reviews for Alcazar AudioWorks' production of Cinderella, The Frog Prince and Rumplestiltskin Alcazar AudioWorks brings a terrific cast of character voices together to produce a most whimsical hour (64 minutes) of three favorite stories: Cinderella, Rumplestiltskin, and The Frog Prince. The fabulous voices bring the characters to life in a most extraordinary way. The actors include Johnnie Anderson, Al Bedrosian, Bruce Blau, Paul Coyle, Bobbie Frohman, John Lavette, Susan McCarthy, Linda Montogomery, David Thorn, Larry Smith and Roger Vosburg. Each voice allows the imagination to run wild with visions of princes, frogs, princesses, and fairies. You'll sympathize with Cinderella and cheer for her as the stepsisters realize how horrible they've been to their future queen! Rumplestiltskin is truly a repulsive little imp who takes advantage of the miller's daughter in her hour of need, but he gets his when a messenger finds his secret place and tells the Queen his unusual name. The selfish princess learns a valuable lesson when the king insists that she keep her word. She must allow the frog to share her dinner plate and her pillow at night, as she promised. However, all is not so bad when the frog turns into a handsome prince. The classic stories will delight children, parents, and grandparents alike. Easily these stories can accompany drawing lessons, change a rainy day into imagination day or take the tedium out of car-travel and make the ride fun. Reviewed By: Kate O'Mara - EHO Eclectic Homeschool Online "

Charlotte Yonge (Author), Bobbie Frohman, David Thorn, Susan McCarthy (Narrator)

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