Reviews

Gr 4-7-The magic of Harry Potter lives on in this superb unabridged recording of the first book in the popular fantasy series by J.K. Rowlings. This story of Harry's journey from his miserable home with his aunt and uncle to Hogwarts, the wizardry school where his destiny as a wizard of great potential is made known to him, is ideally suited for reading aloud. This audiobook pairs a good story with a high quality production, and the result is enjoyable. Narrator Jim Dale's English accent and warm, expressive voice create a sense of atmosphere which will enchant listeners of all ages. The reading brings the characters to life, as Dale's voice recreates energetic Hermione, sulky Malfoy, and other characters with expert inflection and pacing. Listeners who have already read the print version book will enjoy hearing all of the magical vocabulary pronounced authoritatively and effortlessly by Dale. Likewise, children who have struggled with the invented names and other "magical" vocabulary in the series may get more enjoyment out of reading the book with audio accompaniment. With the bestseller status of the Harry Potter series, and the high quality of this audio production, this recording deserves a place in all audio collections.-Carolyn Schemick Bailey, Conerly Road School, Somerset, NJ Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

With more than seven million copies of Sorcerer's Stone and its two sequels sold in the U.S. in a year's time, it would be hard to find many school-age children who haven't at least heard of Harry Potter. British author Rowling's tales of a young wizard-in-training who attends the unusual Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry have enchanted children (and their parents, too) like no books before them. Now, with this sharp audio production, those who haven't yet met Harry will soon be swept up in the fun, and established Potter fans will delight in hearing Harry's adventures anew. British actor and Broadway star Dale is an inspired choice as narrator, reading with a light, assured air that makes Harry's fantastic, sometimes dangerous, world very real, while never losing sight of Rowling's humorous underpinnings. His numerous vocal characterizations are dead-on, especially his fast-talking take on Harry's sweet but overachieving witch friend Hermione Granger. A gruff and sensitive Hagrid (the school's gamekeeper), evil Malfoy, kindly Dumbledore and appropriately Scottish Professor McGonagall are also crisply distinctive. The combination of Rowling's exquisitely evocative writing and Dale's nimble reading make this a magical addition to the bewitching Harry Potter canon. All ages. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.