Magic of Letters, The
1 Hardcover/1 CD (see all formats)

Starred ReviewThis charming audio presentation of Troy Johnston's picture book that celebrates the power of language soars thanks to evocative sound effects and narrator Marc Thompson's impressive vocal acrobatics. This playful title demonstrates how "letters hold magic" by showing how they form a wide assortment of powerful, sometimes nonsensical words that can be mighty, yummy, or even bewitching, among other things. Every flip of the page (the CD's first track has helpful page turn signals, while the second track offers a reading without them) results in a fun aural experience for young listeners. The program benefits from Rory Young's innovative, layered sound mixing and editing. For example, honks and a rumbling motor accompany the spread showing a dump truck transporting a bunch of words. Dewey Dellay's flexible instrumental score captures the spirit of every highlighted word and does a beautiful job conveying the varying moods of Wendell Minor's inventive illustrations. Meanwhile, Thompson adds an inventive spin to each syllable uttered, from the quivering way he says a "slippery" word like "trout" or the way he adds a giggle to "flibbertigibbet." Tavia Gilbert appears briefly in a section with a child discovering that letters form her first name, reading "Maria" with wonder in her voice. With triumphant music filling the air, this expertly produced program ends on an uplifting note that will inspire young listeners to read, write, and keep exploring the magic of letters.