BELLA'S BALL

Bella the butterfly confronts her friends' constant suggestions and feedback in this fable about perseverance and believing in oneself. Valerie Menzel offers a lively performance of this children's story. Menzel's rendition of "Lady Bug Teller," with her grandmotherly pace, drawn out words, and high-pitched voice, matches the personality of the storytelling ladybug who offers warmth and wisdom to Bella. The other characters are equally well characterized in Menzel's modulated tones--from the slow, heavy speech of gloomy Sam the snail to the refined and somewhat snooty damselfly, Darla. The sound quality of the reading is clear, and Menzel's narration fluid. M.F. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2013]