Nate the Great Collected Stories by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat. Read by John Lavelle. Listening Library.When I was a kid, I loved Nate the Great. When I became a librarian, I remembered that I loved Nate the Great, but I couldn't tell you any of the specifics. It was time for a refresher course and this wonderful recording fit the bill perfectly. It's a collection of eight mysteries that's a great introduction to Nate or a great way to relax with a favorite friend.
As I listened, I delighted in John Lavelle's narration of the different characters (my favorite is Rosamund who is undoubtedly strange and has four cats named Super Hex, Big Hex, Little Hex, and Plain Hex). The stories are simple enough and the narration interesting enough to catch the attention of preschoolers and the mysteries will appeal to kids in lower elementary. This would be a perfect audiobook to take along on a short car ride with small kids.
It's also a perfect audiobook for those of us with a short commute to work. Each story lasted almost precisely the time of my morning and evening commute (about 10-15 minutes). Plus, since they're all separate stories you don't have to remember where you left off when you come back to it.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like John Lavelle's recorded anything else, but I'll certainly be on the lookout because I really enjoyed his reading.
So, what are you waiting for? Go make some pancakes and eat them while listening to Nate the Great Collected Stories.
