David and the Phoenix

March 10, 2003
In keeping with the legend of the Phoenix, Full Cast Audio resurrects a long-out-of-print gem for this thoroughly engaging production. Ormondroyd reads his gentle fantasy-adventure with a grandfatherly ease and warmth. Listeners will quickly become enthralled as young David climbs the mountain behind his family's new house and encounters a magical, talking phoenix on one of the high ledges. David overcomes his initial fear and shock and tentatively joins in the fun. Though the bird at first seems like a pretentious fussbudget, he proves (in a spirited performance by Frank Flumano) to be a wonderful—and extremely knowledgeable—pal. Soon David's feathered friend is leading the boy on a series of colorful exploits amidst such creatures as a sea monster, Gryffins and a banshee. A well-balanced group of performers keeps the dramatic pacing on keel, skillfully, subtly holding listeners' interest. Ages 8-up.

A boy new to the neighborhood climbs the mountain behind his home, befriends a mythical beast, and receives an education among gryphons, sea monsters, witches, and banshees in this 1958 fantasy classic. Every line of the book's warmth, humor, and gentleness comes to life in Bruce Coville's superb multicast production. Author Edward Ormondroyd's easy, warm-hearted delivery of his own wonderfully descriptive passages combines with solid character voices, especially those of young Galen Druke as David and Frank Fiumano as the Phoenix. The production adds depth, color, and pace to this beautiful tale of acceptance, silliness, wisdom, and growth. Toss in a hilarious ten-octave banshee tied up in a box and you have an absolute keeper for all ages. B.P. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine


stargazer0 - I loved this book because it has a sense of adventure and wonder. I liked it because the characters are awesome. ( If you ever read this book Daine and cloud) I really hope you read it and like it as I did.