ALA Notable Children's Audio Recordings

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), annually selects the most Notable Children’s Recordings. The list includes recordings for children ages Pre-K through 14 years. Notables are of especially commendable quality in the interpretation and narration of the original book.

Thaler, M. (Writer), Gould, A. (Performer), & Canova, D. (Performer). (2007). The librarian from the black lagoon [CD].

            The story is one of a child’s concern and worries about entering the library. The majority of the book/CD are comprised of all the terrible things the narrator has heard about the library and the librarian The audio is narrated by the youthful voice of Gould, and is appropriate accompaniment to the text. A suspenseful, sometimes scary mood is set w/piano crescendos and other audio concepts. In the very last part of the book, the listener hears through the narrator and read aloud that the library is not at all a scary place to be. The absence of scary music is noted, but there is no mood music for these peaceful and new understandings about the library. View as an excellent audio/book for children grades 2-3 who are familiar with the actual happenings in a library and will view this as humorous. Awarded an ALA Notable Children’s Recording in 2008.

            Cronin, D. (Writer), Lewin, B. (Artist), & Travis, R. (Performer) (2007). Dooby dooby moo [CD].

                 If you enjoyed Click, Clack, Moo, you will love this return visit to Farmer Brown’s barn. The animals have heard about a talent show at the county fair, and they’re determined to win one of the top prizes. Randy Travis narrates in his authentic country twang, consistently keeping true to the style of the various sounds of the cows, pigs and sheep. Travis also narrates Farmer Brown and duck; and the country music by Scotty Huff and Robert Reynolds fits the story perfectly. The whole compilation is an audio-book that deserves recognition. View as appropriate for varying age groups. The repetition and animal sounds appeal to ages 3-6. The humor in the text, story plot and audio will be enjoyed by children ages 6-10. Awarded an ALA Notable Children’s Recording in 2008.

Lionni, L. (Writer), & McLarty, R. (Performer) (2006). Inch by inch [CD].

              Winning a Caldecott Honor Award for the book in 1961, this is a classic tale familiar to many of an inchworm and his animal cohorts. The animals love the fact that various features of their body (beaks, legs, etc.) can be measured by the inchworm—until the raven challenges inchworm to measure his song. Cleverly the inchworm agrees and outwits raven. McClarty narrates, along with voices for robin, inchworm and raven; and each voice complements the tale and the characters. It’s the music that’s most appealing though, composed by J. Goodman and D. Bramfitt, a full orchestra superbly follows the plot line. Strings, reeds, and percussion enchantingly accompany this delightful page-turner. View as appropriate for children ages 3-6 as a read aloud/recording. Also appropriate for older children as an exercise in analyzing how the addition of the audio enhances the story. Awarded an ALA Notable Children’s Recording in 2007.