DAVID AND THE PHOENIX

A boy new to the neighborhood climbs the mountain behind his home, befriends a mythical beast, and receives an education among gryphons, sea monsters, witches, and banshees in this 1958 fantasy classic. Every line of the book's warmth, humor, and gentleness comes to life in Bruce Coville's superb multicast production. Author Edward Ormondroyd's easy, warm-hearted delivery of his own wonderfully descriptive passages combines with solid character voices, especially those of young Galen Druke as David and Frank Fiumano as the Phoenix. The production adds depth, color, and pace to this beautiful tale of acceptance, silliness, wisdom, and growth. Toss in a hilarious ten-octave banshee tied up in a box and you have an absolute keeper for all ages. B.P. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]