Category: Audiobooks

Ruth and Alice DeVere and their father Hosmer struggle to make ends meet in New York City – times are hard, even for a talented actor like Mr. DeVere. Just as he successfully auditions for a new play, an old voice affliction renders him terribly hoarse and he loses the role. Despite voice rest and medical treatment, Mr. DeVere’s voice fails to improve, and it is impossible to find theatre work.

A friend and neighbour in their apartment building suggests that Mr. DeVere tries acting in the moving pictures (which being silent, would not need him to speak at all) but Mr. DeVere considers that business to be common and cheap. However, when they receive an eviction notice, and local shops refuse to extend credit, Mr. DeVere may have no choice … and where he goes, his daughters will follow.

4 Hours and 27 Minutes.

The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale was the first book in a long-running series centering around four girls: Betty Nelson, Mollie Billette, Amy Stonington, and Grace Ford. They are a wholesome bunch of girls, with a strong and good friendship, always ready for a lark. The series highlights the escapades and activities of the group, who decide to form a “Camping and Tramping Club”. Due to the girls’ many outdoor activities they become known as the “Outdoor Girls” in their city of Deepdale. The friends go on many exciting adventures and solve mysteries along the way. In this book the girls go on a long walking tour and in the process find a hundred dollar bill. Who owns the money and why is such a mysterious note attached? Listen in to find out!

3 Hours and 55 Minutes.

Edith Nesbit’s classic story, in which three children, Roberta, Phyllis, and Peter are living a comfortable suburban life with their parents, a cook, and servant. One day two men arrive to visit their father and he leaves with them. The children wonder what’s going on, but their mother doesn’t want them to worry and tells them not to ask questions. Due to their father’s continuing absence, they are forced to move to the country, and are now in poorer circumstances, their mother providing what she can through the stories she writes. Delightfully, the children’s good  and cheerful natures serve them well in this turn of events, and they resiliently find things to enjoy in their new life. They come to know and love the ways of the nearby railways, developing the habit of waving to the train as it goes past and sometimes the people in the coaches wave back. Their friendly habit draws the attention and eventually friendship of one old gentleman who rides the trains, and he comes to help them in various ways. Eventually they find out what happened to their father, and to their great joy, he returns to them, quite fittingly, by train.  A happy ending to an engaging story, another great book by E. Nesbit!

4 Hours and 58 Minutes.

John Dolittle, M. D., was once a famous doctor. But, then he learned to talk Animal-Language, from his pet parrot, Polynesia, acquired several interesting pets, and gradually began to lose his patients. Finally the only patient who remains, the Cat’s-Meat-Man, makes a suggestion – why doesn’t he give up treating people and become an animal doctor? And so, Dr. Dolittle becomes an animal doctor, and life seems to be going well for a time. Unfortunately, when the good doctor adds an escaped crocodile to his store of pets, even the animals stop coming to see him. What to do?!? Children of all ages – and adults too – will enjoy the story of the Doctor and his animals as he travels to Africa and back, braves shipwrecks and pirates, escapes from prison, and tries to reunite a little boy with his kidnapped uncle, all with the help of his charming animal friends. Please note: this book was written at a different time and includes attitudes which are now considered racially derogatory. Modern editions (still under copyright) are available with some of this changed – this recording is of the original public domain text, as it was first published in 1920.

2 Hours and 23 Minutes.