THE EMPEROR'S OSTRICH

Jayne Entwistle is splendid as dairymaid Begonia, who is helpful to her mother. When their cow, Alfalfa, disappears, Begonia must find her. En route she encounters the delightfully talkative Key, a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic and finder of things. Rich descriptions of the countryside and people they pass sparkle with Entwistle's delivery. Her best creation is Lumi, an arrogant stranger who is riding an ostrich. It turns out the ostrich has fallen in love with Alfalfa. Listeners will especially enjoy the story as Begonia warms to Lumi and positively influences him. A subplot involves the kingdom's missing emperor and his ancestor spirits, all of whom sound both convincing and otherworldly. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2017]