DIARY OF A YOUNG NATURALIST

Dara McAnulty is an Irish teenager on the autism spectrum who is obsessed with the natural world. His Northern Irish accent is charming--all the "th" sounds disappear into "d" sounds--and evokes a sense of the landscape. McAnulty explains that his meticulous observations of birds, insects, plants, and animals help him to focus and to process information in a positive way. He imparts fascinating facts about birds, anger at climate change deniers, and a stoic acceptance of bullying that is heartbreaking. His voice has a youthful element and a hint of being on the spectrum, but these qualities enhance a performance that is mature beyond his years. It's all a reminder of the positive balm of nature and the changing seasons. A.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2022]