LIESL & PO

When Liesl’s beloved father dies, her stepmother locks her away in the attic. Her lonely existence is eased by the appearance of Po, a ghost, and his pet, Bundle. Meanwhile, Will, an alchemist’s apprentice, accidentally switches deliveries one night, and mayhem ensues as the powers that be try to get the right box into the right hands. Jim Dale has a merry time narrating; listeners may well feel that “Uncle Jim” is telling them a rather dark bedtime story. Oliver paints gorgeous images with her language, and Dale at times sounds wonderstruck by the beauty of the tale. (He also performs terrific old-lady sneezes and delightful animal noises.) Smart children and fun-loving adults will devour this clever cracked fairy tale. G.D. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2011]