LOUISE, THE ADVENTURES OF A CHICKEN

Louise is not your ordinary chicken; longing for adventure, she travels across seas, participates in a circus, and has her fortune told. Barbara Rosenblat's commanding narration brings Louise's daring nature fully to light. Drawing out the drama of the hen's close call with pirates, her narrow escape from the jaws of a lion, and a daring jailbreak, Rosenblat inflates Louise's small story to maximum advantage, much to the delight of listeners. Highlighting DiCamillo's wordplay and alliteration ("the pleasures and perils she met proved plentiful"), Rosenblat creates an unlikely but likable (and quite unflappable) heroine who remains unruffled even in the face of great danger. Great illustrations by Harry Bliss in the read-along version add to listeners' enjoyment. J.C.G. 2010 Odyssey Award, 2010 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2010]