Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Beezus and Ramona Audio
Fiction
For ages 7 to 10
Unabridged audiobook (CD)
Performed/read by: Stockard Channing
HarperChildrens Audio, 2010 ISBN: 978-0061774058
Beezus Quimby has a problem - her four-year-old sister. Ramona is the kind of child who does exactly what she wants and heaven help anyone who tries to change her mind. For example, at the moment, Ramona is fixated on one book, “The Littlest Steam Shovel.” Everyone in the family, with the exception of Ramona of course, is sick of the book. Desperate for some respite from Scoopy the steam shovel, Beezus takes Ramona to the library. Surely Ramona will pick a new kind of book, a book that everyone will like? Alas for Beezus and her parents, for Ramona decides to borrow “Big Steve the Steam Shovel.”
As her little sister finds endless ways to make her life miserable, Beezus finds herself getting angry again and again. Even worse, she discovers that there are moments when she really does not like her little sister at all. There are times when she wishes she could have a break from Ramona. Does this mean that she is a bad person and a bad sister?
Any child who has been around an annoying younger brother, sister, cousin, or friend will appreciate the six stories in this audiobook. The problems that Beezus and Ramona have to deal with are of the everyday variety; they are the kind of problems that children can relate to. At the same time, they are also funny and highly entertaining.
In her narrative, actress Stockard Channing perfectly captures Ramona’s singularly determined and stubborn personality. As they listen to the story, listeners will have no trouble seeing Ramona in their minds eye.
