CHU'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Neil Gaiman is a master of suspense in this story of a boy who is seeking to identify his special talent. Gaiman's varying tempos make his narration sound like a musical score. As young Chu starts his day in conversation with his father, Gaiman's delivery is steady and gentle, his voice exuding the father's love for his son as well as mystery regarding Chu's individual abilities. In the classroom, Gaiman's pace and volume quicken as the teacher inquires about the talents and interests of the students. At the end of the day, Gaiman's delivery slows and quiets as Chu answers age-old school-day questions from his parents and goes off to bed. As the story develops, Chu's special talent will become fully clear to young listeners. A.R. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2014]