THE ECHO IN THE CHIMNEY & THE MAGIC IN THE MIRROR

These two stories introduce young characters who live in flats in an old British house. In the first story, Danny is the central character; hearing a screeching in his wall one night he discovers and then rescues Silver, a young jackdaw. The second story features Anna, who discovers magic in her Chinese grandmother's old silk jacket. Narrator Sophie Aldred does a wonderful job with the stories' many voices, switching from Danny, by turns enthusiastic and pleading, to his mother, loving but occasionally exasperated. Her Anna and Anna's mother are equally distinct personalities, and incidental voices, including that of Old Macdonald, the building super, offer fine character sketches as well. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 06]