HEIDI

This sweet orphan girl touches everyone she meets. Her gruff grandfather, invalid friend and shepherd cousin all benefit from knowing her. Reader Ciara Janson sounds appropriately childish and innocent. Richard Johnson as Grandfather sounds gruff from loneliness, but also loving and concerned about Heidi and her friends. The rest of the characters are also well cast. The hysterical house mistress and Heidi's aunt are especially enjoyable. While the volume is uneven and Grandfather sounds too close to the microphone, original music enhances the production, as do realistic sound effects. A.G.H. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 00]