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[CCBC-Net] Audio books: less than or equal to the printed page?
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From: Steward, Celeste <csteward>
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 13:02:19 -0800
I love audio books...I have many, many favorite readers: Christina Moore, Jim Dale, Maggie Mash, Oliver Wyman, John McDonough--these are but a few.
Having been an SLJ reviewer of CD audio books for many years, I've listened to hundreds of audio books. In the last few years, I've developed a preference for those productions with actors rather than those books read by the author. I mean no disrespect, but sometimes the author just doesn't do his or her own work justice.
I had a difficult time getting through John Feinstein's Last Shot, some of Madeleine L-Engle's readings, and Daniel Pinkwater's The Neddiad. While I adore all these authors, I think a professional narrator does a better job of creating a dramatic presence. If authors are lurking, I hope they do not take offense.
I thought Frank McCourt did a good job of reading his own works. His lyrical speech made Angela's Ashes spring to life easily. Maybe his former career as a teacher helped prepare him for a recorded books production too. But, as a rule though, if I see that the book is read by the author, I am wary.
Celeste Steward, Collection Development Librarian Alameda County Library 2450 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Betty Tisel Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 12:20 PM To: Subscribers ccbc-net Subject: [CCBC-Net] Audio books: less than or equal to the printed page?
How many kids go to bed with the voice of Jim Dale in the background, reading one of the Harry Potter books? Mine often do.
I used to think audio books were a lesser good than the printed page. But often my kids will read the printed book AFTER they've listened to the audio book. So I've come around.
Audio books can be a godsend on car trips. And you can still enjoy the scenery outside the car!
In my family we have a very very strong preference for unabridged recordings. Full cast are fine if they are unabridged or nearly complete, and done well.
We also listen to recordings of some of the best storytellers on the planet: Donald Davis, Bill Harley, Jay O'Callahan, Sheila Kay Adams, Dovie Thomason.... and with storytellers, it's BETTER on audio than on the printed page, by a mile.
Audiobooks do have a relentless quality that can be trying. It's harder to stop and ask a question or look up a word in the dictionary than during reading aloud.
A few favorite audiobook versions: The Misfits Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell out of a Tree All the Harry Potters, read by Jim Dale Catherine, called Birdy I am the Messenger
Some books I have enjoyed MORE on audio than on the printed page. When I heard a young Australian man read I Am the Messenger, it just somehow made so much more sense than the voice in my head when I read from the book. And the young actress who reads Catherine, called Birdy should get an award: her beautiful English diction adds so much to the enjoyment of the book, I think.
I've raised a LOT of points here - oh dear.
Betty Tisel parent, school library volunteer, book advocate, CLNE volunteer Minneapolis MN
On 3/3/08 2:04 PM, "Merri Lindgren" <mlindgren at education.wisc.edu> wrote:
> Thanks, Anne, for launching the new discussion topic for the first
half
> of March: "Hear These Words: Audio Books." All of the recent posts
on
> reading aloud are the perfect lead-in to a conversation about audio
> books for children and teens.
>
> I had the pleasure of serving on the first Odyssey Award committee
over
> the past year, and during the course of that time I learned about the
> many ways an audio book can augment a written text, or detract from
it.
> As the committee listened to audio books for everyone from
preschoolers
> through older teens, I experienced a whole range of reactions; at
times
> thrilled with a technically outstanding production, and at other times
> disappointed with a lackluster performance. An obsessive reader, I
> found that listening to audio books increased my ability to critically
> analyze a book -- the pace kept me from my usual "speed-reading" and
> made me hear every word. A quality narration added new angles and
> shading to the book's interpretation, and thoughtful embellishments of
> music and sound effects enhanced settings and mood.
>
> Are you an audio book addict, or are you skeptical of the format? Do
> you use audio books with young listeners, and if so, what works and
what
> doesn't?
>
> Merri Lindgren
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Mon 03 Mar 2008 03:02:19 PM CST
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 13:02:19 -0800
I love audio books...I have many, many favorite readers: Christina Moore, Jim Dale, Maggie Mash, Oliver Wyman, John McDonough--these are but a few.
Having been an SLJ reviewer of CD audio books for many years, I've listened to hundreds of audio books. In the last few years, I've developed a preference for those productions with actors rather than those books read by the author. I mean no disrespect, but sometimes the author just doesn't do his or her own work justice.
I had a difficult time getting through John Feinstein's Last Shot, some of Madeleine L-Engle's readings, and Daniel Pinkwater's The Neddiad. While I adore all these authors, I think a professional narrator does a better job of creating a dramatic presence. If authors are lurking, I hope they do not take offense.
I thought Frank McCourt did a good job of reading his own works. His lyrical speech made Angela's Ashes spring to life easily. Maybe his former career as a teacher helped prepare him for a recorded books production too. But, as a rule though, if I see that the book is read by the author, I am wary.
Celeste Steward, Collection Development Librarian Alameda County Library 2450 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Betty Tisel Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 12:20 PM To: Subscribers ccbc-net Subject: [CCBC-Net] Audio books: less than or equal to the printed page?
How many kids go to bed with the voice of Jim Dale in the background, reading one of the Harry Potter books? Mine often do.
I used to think audio books were a lesser good than the printed page. But often my kids will read the printed book AFTER they've listened to the audio book. So I've come around.
Audio books can be a godsend on car trips. And you can still enjoy the scenery outside the car!
In my family we have a very very strong preference for unabridged recordings. Full cast are fine if they are unabridged or nearly complete, and done well.
We also listen to recordings of some of the best storytellers on the planet: Donald Davis, Bill Harley, Jay O'Callahan, Sheila Kay Adams, Dovie Thomason.... and with storytellers, it's BETTER on audio than on the printed page, by a mile.
Audiobooks do have a relentless quality that can be trying. It's harder to stop and ask a question or look up a word in the dictionary than during reading aloud.
A few favorite audiobook versions: The Misfits Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell out of a Tree All the Harry Potters, read by Jim Dale Catherine, called Birdy I am the Messenger
Some books I have enjoyed MORE on audio than on the printed page. When I heard a young Australian man read I Am the Messenger, it just somehow made so much more sense than the voice in my head when I read from the book. And the young actress who reads Catherine, called Birdy should get an award: her beautiful English diction adds so much to the enjoyment of the book, I think.
I've raised a LOT of points here - oh dear.
Betty Tisel parent, school library volunteer, book advocate, CLNE volunteer Minneapolis MN
On 3/3/08 2:04 PM, "Merri Lindgren" <mlindgren at education.wisc.edu> wrote:
> Thanks, Anne, for launching the new discussion topic for the first
half
> of March: "Hear These Words: Audio Books." All of the recent posts
on
> reading aloud are the perfect lead-in to a conversation about audio
> books for children and teens.
>
> I had the pleasure of serving on the first Odyssey Award committee
over
> the past year, and during the course of that time I learned about the
> many ways an audio book can augment a written text, or detract from
it.
> As the committee listened to audio books for everyone from
preschoolers
> through older teens, I experienced a whole range of reactions; at
times
> thrilled with a technically outstanding production, and at other times
> disappointed with a lackluster performance. An obsessive reader, I
> found that listening to audio books increased my ability to critically
> analyze a book -- the pace kept me from my usual "speed-reading" and
> made me hear every word. A quality narration added new angles and
> shading to the book's interpretation, and thoughtful embellishments of
> music and sound effects enhanced settings and mood.
>
> Are you an audio book addict, or are you skeptical of the format? Do
> you use audio books with young listeners, and if so, what works and
what
> doesn't?
>
> Merri Lindgren
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Mon 03 Mar 2008 03:02:19 PM CST
