A Fortune Branches Out

Succeed and Grow Rich! Not only is it Tessa Fortune's fondest desire, it is the title of her favorite book, her bible. Ellington Filmore, the sonorous-voiced success author, interrupts Tessa's thoughts at regular intervals with an apropos line or phrase to guide her in her endeavor to raise money for New Zealand's third-annual national telethon. Richard Mitchley's reading of the wacky cast of characters is in keeping with Mahy's raucous tone. Grant Chilling, the obnoxious neighborhood bully, shouts insults from his bike in a grating voice, inspiring fury. The adult shoppers condescend to buy items from the white elephant table in nasal tones. Tessa rides a roller coaster of emotion and inspires empathy throughout. T.B. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine