THE BEST DOG IN THE WORLD

Richard Mitchley's ironic tones are not always a good match for this heartwarming story of a boy and his dog. Elliot wants to keep Denzil, a stray dog, but his stepfather is allergic to him, and his mother is expecting a baby. Mitchley's confident performance doesn't capture the heartfelt emotions Elliot displays as he attempts to care for Denzil and bring around his parents. Also, the many dialogue tags interrupt the flow of the recording. Still, as Elliot and Denzil follow the path to a happy ending, younger children who love animal stories will listen happily to this sweet tale, despite its drawbacks. C.A. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 07]