A STORM CALLED KATRINA

Brandon Gill’s beautiful voice is both comforting and anxious as the waters begin to rise in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Louis Daniel finds that Mama’s soft, loving tone no longer embarrasses him as the family wades through the flooded streets of the city. Gill’s slow yet lively delivery allows enough time and space for listeners to imagine the story or peruse the pictures. Yet he keeps the narrative flowing. Scenes that show the importance of music and family emotionally anchor the story. Appropriately ambiguous details and a hopeful conclusion give young listeners a sense of the tragedy without overwhelming them. The recording ends with an author’s note. A.M.P. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2012]