MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM

Narrator Ariana Delawari's childlike pitch and pacing perfectly capture the magical realism of this delicious spin on Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Eleven-year-old Mimi wants to win the baking contest being held by the interesting new bakery in town. While seeking inspiration in the woods, she meets a boy from India who shows her edible flowers and herbs, which she incorporates into her recipes--with bizarre effects on her family. Delawari gives distinct voices to Mimi's older siblings and slight accents to the anachronistic bakery staff. Bird songs in the forest heighten the mood of otherworldly wonder. Delawari portrays Mimi as a realistic, relatable heroine amid the magical mayhem. Listeners will sympathize with Mimi's struggles and will be cheering for her to win the baking competition. S.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2019]