Some Shorts (nah, not the ones you wear in the good ol' summertime ... it's far too cold!)

January 2, 2015  -- Books 005-008

I'm not going to review these books.  They are short enough for you to enjoy without my extra endorsement.  I "partook" of them in audiobook format.  I am sure that the picture book versions are wonderful, if you can get them.  If not, be sure the stories in audio are fine without the pictures to go with them.

These are books I return to from time to time -- they are short and very enjoyable.  I think you will enjoy them too.  :-D

005 - The Wizard

Written by: Jack Kent

Narrated by: Ian Thomson

Length: 7 mins 

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:07-15-08

Publisher: Weston Woods Studios

The story of a mouse who wants to change into something else and a frustrated wizard who helps the mouse ...

Find it at:

OverDrive audiobook 

OverDrive video 

Powell's Books

Audible

 

006 - The Hat

Written by: Tomi Ungerer

Narrated by: Gene Deitch

Length: 8 mins 

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:06-08-06

Publisher: Weston Woods Studios

A top hat changes the life of a penniless man ...

Find it at:

OverDrive

Powell's Books

Audible

007 - Miss Rumphius

Written by: Barbara Cooney

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

Length: 8 mins 

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:01-01-08

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

The story of the Lupine Lady ...

Find it at:

OverDrive Audiobook

OvderDrive Video 

Powell's Books

Audible  -- there are two versions of this book available in audio format -- see them both here. 

However, I prefer this one because I find the music and bird song quite distracting in the other. 

008 - Jamie O'Rourke and The Big Potato

Written by: Tomie DePaola

Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck

Length: 9 mins 

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:02-06-08

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

The laziest man in all Ireland outwits a leprechaun ...

Find it at:

OverDrive (has the ebook of the sequel: Jamie O'Rourke and the Pooka)

Powell's Books has two links:  Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato: An IrishFolktale and 

Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato

Audible

2 Books Jake & Kitty Suggest ...

Jake and Kitty are excited ... We just finished listening to a book I borrowed from the Public Library's online digital library.  They enjoyed the book so much they hope I will either borrow it often or see about adding it to the library of available audiobooks right here at home.  The Mouse With the Question Mark Tail  by Richard Peck, and read by Russ Bain is about three and half hours long, and fun to listen to.
     Set in the reign of Queen Victoria, in fact, on the eve of her Jubilee, the story is about a small mouse who doesn't know his name, who in one day breaks two very important rules -- including, never be seen by humans wearing clothes and not on all fours ... At first, Kitty was not interested in a story about a small mouse.  But, even Kitty got interested when the little mouse headed off for his first day of school -- being very sure the little mouse would get beaten up for being so small.  (Kitty, as sweet as she is, is after all, a cat ...)  This little mouse, who lives in the mews of Buckingham Palace in London, eventually gets the idea that the Queen herself might be able to help him figure out who he is and to find his place in the world.  In the end, even Kitty decided it was a good story, because it had a cat in it.  :-)

     Another story Kitty especially likes to listen to with Jake and me is Whittington by Alan Armstrong and read by Joel Rooks.  The book is a Newbery Honor-winning book about a tom cat, Whittington, who arrives at a New England barn that is full of rescued animals.  He begins to tell a story about his namesake, Dick Whittington, and his cat.   The barn owner's grandson and granddaughter come along and listen to the tale as well.
     Dick Whittington is an authentic character from London history -- serving as the city's mayor.  However, there are lots of stories about him, where he came from and what his life was like before he became mayor.  This is a good tale and fun to listen to.  Jake and I love the story probably even more than Kitty loves it -- she loves it because of the fact a cat is telling a story that depends on a cat so much.  :-)  Jake and I enjoy the adventure of it all.  We think you will enjoy the tale as well.
     So, check out The Mouse with the Question Mark Tale and Whittington;  we're sure you'll be glad you did!

[Not that you probably care, but when I clicked to get a preview of this post (best way I have found to proof read and still often have to do an edit later **sigh**), I see that the time the post was posted is off by 2 hours ... finally figured out where to go to check the time, date and time zone settings for the blog, and they are correct but ... somehow, the time posted is showing a time 2 hours earlier than the actual time ... unless my computer is actually off by those two hours ... I wonder which it is?  Oh well, it isn't truly important right now.  Thought I would mention it just in case you are interested ... **snicker**]