All Ears Audiobooks discussion

My Sister's Keeper
I just finished "My Sister's Keeper". I had some very strong emotional feelings towards the different characters. I felt very strong dislike for the mother. I am a mom and yes, I would do anything in my power to protect and medically help my daughter should she need it. However, I feel the mother in this story crossed the boundaries. She created another child so that she could use her as a donor child for her sister. The mother's only focus was on the one child who was ill. What about the older son who was basically running a muck because of the lack of attention for either parent. I felt extremely sorry for the donor child. As she grew old enough to realize what her basic reason for being alive was to donate whatever her sister needed. As an infant she would not understand, but when grew older, she knew she could not go away to camp or travel like normal kids because she had to stay within hospital distance to her sister. I also had very disapproving feelings for the father, who seemed to understand the problem with the older son and the donor child and realized the damage being done to both children but did not have guts to stand up to his wife.

Without giving away the ending, I felt that if the parents did not spend so much time debating whether the donor child had any rights as she grew older, everyone could have spent that time bonding with each other and sharing the family time together.

I enjoyed this book and the author because of the strong emotional feelings she was able to create.

Cheryl, what a great review! I agree with you completely about the mother. She did so many things that were flat out wrong, but, if I were in her shoes??? I sure am glad that I am not in her position. This is such a good bookclub/discussion book. No one ever is ambivalent about this one!

I have recently read some audiobooks from Rabbit Ears Treasury or well known as Rabbit Ears Radio for those people (like myself) who have listened to this series as children. Here are my reviews of various Rabbit Ears stories I have listened to:

1) Rabbit Ears Treasury of World Tales: Volume 2: The White Cat, Fool and the Flying Ship (5 stars)

The White Cat

In "The White Cat," three young princes try to outdo each other in the tasks that their father gives them in order to inherit his kingdom. However, the youngest son soon finds true love when he meets a beautiful white cat who lives in an extraordinary castle and helps him on his journey. Emma Thompson narrates this story with an aristocratic tone as most of the main characters are of royal blood and Joe Jackson's lovely melodies provides the story with a soothing and romantic tone.

The Fool and the Flying Ship

In "The Fool and the Flying Ship," the Tsar of Russia proclaims that whoever builds a flying ship will marry his daughter, the princess. However, when a wacky peasant decides to take the challenge and arrives to the palace with five odd super humans, the Tsar quickly has second thoughts about the proclamation he made. Robin Williams narrates this story with such energy and humor that each character becomes alive as he gives each character a different Russian accent. The Klezmer Conservatory Band's music is both raucous and jazzy which makes this story extremely funny to listen to.

Both of these stories are alot in common (except that "The White Cat" has a more elegant tone while "The Fool and the Flying Ship" has a wild tone) since both stories are about determination as both lead characters are determined to obtain their goals, such as in "The White Cat" when the youngest prince tries to find love in the white cat and in "The Fool and the Flying Ship," the country fool is determined to build a flying ship and marry the princess.

I believe that children who love the Rabbit Ears series will definitely fall in love with this audiobook cd since both Robin Williams' and Emma Thompson's narrations make this audiobook cd worth listening to over and over again.


2) Rabbit Ears Treasury of Animal Stories: How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin, How the Camel Got His Hump, How the Leopard Got His Spots, Monkey People (5 stars)

How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin and How the Camel Got His Hump

Jack Nicholson, who narrates the stories "How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin" and "How the Camel Got His Hump," has a very silky voice that soothes you to the bone as you hear him narrate these stories and Bobby McFerrin's music is enchanting to listen to as he mainly uses various sounds to make music.

How the Leopard Got His Spots

Danny Glover is excellent in the story "How the Leoparad Got His Spots," as he uses an African accent to narrate the story and Lady Black Mambazo's music is definitely mesmerizing as they vocally sing in African tones.

The Monkey People

Raul Julia narrates with a proper tone in "The Monkey People" indicating the arrogance of the village people in the story and Lee Ritenour's music has a Colombian style that makes it interesting to listen to.

Many children who are huge fans of Jack Nicholson (well parents for that matter) and are huge fans of Bobby McFerrin will definitely love this audiobook cd since the music and the narration are soothing to listen to, even though Danny Glover's narration of "How the Leopard Got His Spots" might be a bit too difficult to listen to because Danny Glover sounds a bit off in narration to really understand what he is saying. This is definitely one of the most superior audiobook cds I have ever listened to and will instantly become a hit with many children.

3) Rabbit Ears Treasury of Brer Rabbit: Brer Rabbit and the Wonderful Tar Baby, Brer Rabbit & Boss Lion (5 stars)

Brer Rabbit and the Wonderful Tar Baby

In "Brer Rabbit and the Wonderful Tar Baby," Danny Glover narrates the story in a calm manner about how Brer Rabbit is fooled by a tar baby that Brer Fox had set up for him after Brer Rabbit played once too many tricks on Brer Fox. Taj Mahal's music in this story is calm and soulful as he mainly plays the music with a guitar.

Brer Rabbit and Boss Lion

In "Brer Rabbit and Boss Lion," Brer Rabbit tries to outfox Boss Lion, who becomes a major threat to all the residents of Brer Village when he keeps on eating up all the residents. Danny Glover narrates this story with such vigor and energy that the story is exciting to listen to and Dr. John's blues music makes this story fun to listen to.

For anyone who is a huge fan of Danny Glover or just love listening to stories about Brer Rabbit, this audiobook cd is definitely one that would be treasured among children everywhere.

4) Treasury of African American Heroes (5 stars)

Follow the Drinking Gourd

In "Follow the Drinking Gourd," Morgan Freeman narrates about a family's struggles to escape from slavery by following the drinking gourd in the sky.
In "Follow the Drinking Gourd," Morgan Freeman narrates with such tenderness that the story is extremely soothing to listen to. Taj Mahal's guitar solos also makes this story a treat to listen to.

John Henry

In "John Henry," this famous tale, narrated by Denzel Washington, relates the story of a "natural" man named John Henry and his battle with the steam drill.
In "John Henry," Denzel Washington narrates with energy and confidence about a confident man who shows everyone how natural he really is when he tries to help build the railroad. B.B. King's blues music makes this story very interesting to listen to as it is full of energy.

For anyone who are fans of Denzel Washington and B.B. King and Morgan Freeman, will definitely cherished this audiobook cd and this is definitely a great audiobook cd to use to learn more about African-American history.

Ronyell wrote: "I have recently read some audiobooks from Rabbit Ears Treasury or well known as Rabbit Ears Radio for those people (like myself) who have listened to this series as children. Here are my reviews of..."

Great reviews Ronyell - I'll have to give these Rabbit Ears Treasuries a try!

Alright Julie!! Thanks!!

Hi All,
I'm an audiobook narrator and I have two books that I've done and am looking for honest reviews!
Broken Skies by Theresa Kay and The Order of St. Michael: God's Army.

If anyone is interested, please email me and I'll send you a free code on audible. If you could provide an honest review within two weeks is ideal.
Thanks!
Andrea : andrea.emmes5@gmail.com