The Boxcar Children

This collection features Warner's likable siblings, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. Narrator Aimee Lilly has a pleasant voice and takes pains to distinguish the many characters in these stories. Though her adult voices are fine, she hits some odd notes with her children's voices. The one she creates for young Benny is particularly grating. Adult listeners may find themselves annoyed by this, though young fans of the series will probably overlook such matters and become absorbed in solving the various mysteries presented--from what's wrong with the Aldens' new computer game to what's happening with that cursed mummy in the local museum exhibit. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine


After a peppy opening song, this kid-detective mystery bursts right out of the gate when the Alden children lose their luggage before arriving at summer camp. Despite Aimee Lilly's able attempts, the story lags after that. Even after repeated listenings, it's hard to tell who's who and what's what. It all sounds like two hours of driveling children. Since you may be playing this tape to entertain yours in the car, you don't need more of that. A.G.H. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

September 1, 2002
Children's NOTES Boxcar Children Redux Two titles mark a landmark anniversary of a classic series. The first, The Boxcar Children 60th Anniversary Edition by Gertrude Chandler Warner, illus. by L. Kate Deal, contains the original text, with an introduction by Barbara Elleman, as well as a brief biography of the author, b&w photos and "An Open Letter to Children Who Ask How I Happened to Write The Boxcar Children," all contained in a handsomely designed volume.