PEARL

The young voice of Kella Kennedy that begins this audiobook makes listeners take note. When a mermaid daughter is disdainful of the task her mother has entrusted to her, listeners hear childlike disgust and disappointment. That task is to care for a single grain of sand. When the young one begs to help with something more important, her mother admonishes her that even the smallest job can be significant. Squeezing the grain in anger leads the little mermaid to astonishing discoveries. Kim Mai Guest's voice is in stark contrast to that of the young mermaid. Her tone is mature, and her words soothing and firm as she describes the transformation of the grain of sand. She shares excitement as the magnitude of the young mermaid's responsibility becomes clear. A.R. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2019]