A Little Princess

When young Sara Crewe's world is spun akimbo, she remains true, unlike many of the rich girls at Miss Minchin's Seminary. The power of Sara's kindness and imagination steady her as her status changes from prized pupil to household drudge. "Things happen to people by accident," Sara believes, and serendipity plays a big part in Burnett's timeless story. Lucy Whybrow's performance is polished and provides a discreet British flavor. From the opening moments, Sara's goodness radiates and is juxtaposed with the falseness of the headmistress and her sister. As the "accidents" unfold, Whybrow invites listeners to partake of the magic. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine


Sara Crew is a nineteenth-century little rich girl, who, left in the care of an unscrupulous boarding school mistress, is locked away in the attic to survive on crumbs while the headmistress steals her money. After much tribulation, valiant Sara is freed and the headmistress punished. Vanessa Maroney reads this classic tale with just the right moderate pacing--almost too slow for adults, perfect for the 8 to 12-years-olds for whom the book was written. Maroney should also be applauded for creating a wealth of believable little girl voices, not one of them squeaky or shrill. A few more pictures on the packaging would have been nice for a children's audiobook. Still, a fine production. A.C.S. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

July 1, 2003
Gr 3-6-This recording of Frances Hodgson Burnett's children's classic provides an entertaining and atmospheric introduction to the original. The abridgement allows for all the characters and their interactions to develop believably, but on occasion large chunks of time are unaccounted for. Lucy Whybrow narrates this version, and her clear rendition of Sara Crewe is a pleasure to listen to. Classical music adds to the enjoyment. Whybrow portrays the gently determined attitude, the sweet and charming manners, and the intelligent seriousness of this timeless heroine very well. With her father in India, Sara begins her life in England as a very rich boarder at Miss Minchin's school. When her father's business reverses and fatal illness leaves her an orphan and a pauper, Sara is determined to act as a princess in every way no matter how demeaned her situation. Whybrow captures her spirit, making this version a worthwhile addition to a collection that includes abridged versions of classics, perhaps as an inducement to young readers to try the original.-Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, NY

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.