PENNY POLLARD'S DIARY

Klein has created a delightful and realistic diary written by 10-year-old tomboy Penny Pollard. Penny balks when she learns that her class will visit a nursing home. She finds old "wrinklies" boring. But when she meets 81-year-old Edith Bettany, she finds an ally who shares her love of horses. Mrs. Bettany also regales Penny with all sorts of tidbits from the old days. Rebecca Macauley excels at portraying youngsters of both sexes and the elderly astonishingly well. She presents Penny's diary entries with just the right verve. Listening to this production is like accompanying the two friends on their wonderful discoveries. S.G.B. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 02]