PUNCTUATION TAKES A VACATION

From the opening sound effects of an airplane—“This is your pilot speaking"—this is an engaging recording. What would we do without punctuation marks? Mr. Wright and his class explore this notion as they begin a class read-aloud that has no punctuation. "Thisisweirdthepunctuationismissinguhohwherecoulditbeyikes!" John Beach rises to the challenge of giving each punctuation mark its own distinctive vocal sound. He articulates each postcard from each vacationing punctuation mark with its specific sound effect. The results are hilarious when Mr. Wrongo's class writes an urgent letter, and the punctuation ends up in entirely wrong locations. It will take several "listens" before the vocals add to the humor of this story and are not a distraction, but it’s well worth making the effort. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2009]