DOGSBOTTOM SCHOOL GOES TOTALLY MENTAL

Dogsbottom School--once inhabited by a single student named Bernie Lee--is a victim of its own success: The school has attracted so many overachieving pupils (they jump to their feet when teachers enter the room) that it's driving Bernie crazy. In a twist, head teacher Mrs. Whiffy needs to get a grant for taking in problem pupils, and she's counting on Bernie to produce some, which is a challenge, given the current well-behaved enrollment. Clare Corbett's voice is so convincingly high and girlish as Bernie that it's a pleasant shock when she adroitly switches gears to become the demanding Mrs. Whiffy or one of the other characters. Corbett's admirable versatility, coupled with a fun-loving zest for dramatizing the story, provides lots of enjoyment for listeners. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2008]