OTIS SPOFFORD

Otis Spofford lives to stir up excitement. This spunky 8-year-old loves to bend the rules whenever possible and make trouble for friend and foe alike whenever he feels slighted or upstaged. Beverly Cleary's ability to look out at the world from inside a child's head couples with narrator Johnny Heller's light, child-like tone of voice to produce an amusing, whimsical listening experience. Heller's easy delivery also produces convincing portrayals of the teenagers and adults in the story, and demonstrates his ability to convey a wide range of emotions with seemingly no effort. This production is a delightful addition to any children's collection. J.J.F. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/MAR 01]