THE WORRY TREE

Juliet is worried, and she needs help. It comes in the form of the Worry Tree, a not magic but magical source her Nana once relied on when she was overwhelmed with worries. This Australian story, which addresses universal themes, is wonderfully narrated by Kate Hood, an Australian herself. She reads with the right pacing and cadence for young listeners, ably capturing each character's personality with her voice. Juliet's young sister, Oaf (Ophelia), is comically deadpan throughout. While the musical cues accompanying the story are slightly distracting and seem unnecessary, this is an engaging production that will reassure young listeners who may be worriers themselves. J.K.R. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2009]