THE BEST CHEF IN SECOND GRADE

Ollie isn't the best at anything in second grade, so he decides that cooking will be his thing. He especially wants to impress visiting chef Antonia. Ollie's supposed to bring in his family's favorite dish, but his little sister makes that hard. Katherine Kellgren reads this story at a dignified pace that allows young listeners time to follow along and enjoy the book's illustrations and Ollie's eventual triumph. Though Kellgren’s characterization of Ollie's voice might strike some as odd (he sounds like he has a cold), in general Kellgren's kids' voices do sound playfully young. Her adults are all assured sounding and clear toned, and she allows the little surprises to unfold in a way that's engaging to young listeners. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2008]