Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

It should be true that the author is the best narrator of his/her own work, and Blume more than fulfills this expectation. In a children's title, it's especially grand if the reader can capture all of the bratty, sweet and simple nuances of the little characters. Blume is great as the parents, pretentious boss and older brother, and she outdoes herself with 3-year-old Fudge. She throws the perfect temper tantrum and cajoles adults with the best of them. All listeners, regardless of age, can identify with the exasperation of the older child who's often called upon to parent. An added feature of this series is several other Fudge stories, each deftly read by Blume. A particularly fun listen for parents and kids at bedtime. S.G.B. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine