EVERGREEN

The musicality of Helen Day's voice combined with her British accent provides an enticing entry into Buckthorn Forest, where a squirrel named Evergreen is afraid of pretty much everything, and her mama makes soup magical enough to be a cure for the sick. Mama tells Evergreen she must take soup to sick Granny Oak. Her firm and comforting voice is a marked contrast to the quavery Evergreen's, an aural cue that transmits her state of mind as she sets off on her journey. Day excels in conveying Evergreen's growth on her journey as she overcomes dangers and obstacles, whether dealing with scary noises or creatures who try to steal Granny Oak's soup, and even begins to have some fun. E.J.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2024]