Piper Green and the Fairy Tree

Tavia Gilbert performs this first-person narration with an enthusiastic high pitch--which is perfect for the eccentric young heroine who lives on an island in Maine and takes a lobster boat to school. Piper is a small girl with big feelings, especially strong since her older brother left for boarding school. Her emotions shift frequently, and Gilbert captures them all, especially Piper's wonder at discovering the gift-giving Fairy Tree. Gilbert also transitions easily to portray other characters. She adopts a Maine accent and jovial tone for the caring lobster boat captain. She's just as convincing as Piper's snooty classmate and the beautiful new teacher whose manner is commanding, rather than princess-like as Piper expects. Gilbert stresses the positive feelings and humor more than the underlying pathos of this story. S.W. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

Narrator Tavia Gilbert has the vocal spunk and enthusiasm to keep up with self-proclaimed "motor mouth" Piper Green. With her child-friendly, high-pitched voice, Gilbert is tuned in to Piper and sounds equally excited about each of Piper's various pieces of good luck--from her newly painted lime-green bedroom to a perfect strawberry and a freshly lost tooth. Gilbert's voice turns grumbling and mournful when Piper's luck starts to turn, especially upon the arrival of a new student in her class. Gilbert maintains a brisk pace throughout and is also believable as an exasperated mother, advice-giving neighbor, and authoritative teacher. Young listeners will listen and relisten as Piper navigates luck and friendship on Peek-a-Boo Island. A.R. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

Narrator Tavia Gilbert knows how to bring schoolkids and the drama of their interactions to life. Piper Green--a girl who has a Fairy Tree in her yard--is embarking on an imaginary trip to China with her classmates. Right away Piper fibs that, like her friends, she has plenty of experience flying in airplanes. So her classmates decide she should be the trip's flight attendant. If only she had confessed her lack of knowledge about airplane travel! Gilbert's portrayal of Piper has all the vocal animation needed as she attempts to keep up with her fib--from deep despair to full panic to determination. Gilbert gives Piper's classmates childlike voices in high-pitched, comforting, or know-it-all tones; her teacher is authoritative and a master of pilot lingo; neighbors sound warm, interested, and gently soothing. Young listeners will appreciate this spunky heroine and her classroom friends. A.R. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Narrator Tavia Gilbert portrays the spunky and independent Piper Green with enthusiasm and drama. As Piper and the entire Peek-a-Boo Island community await the annual potluck dinner onboard the SEA STAR, she's thrilled. This year she'll joyfully be serving pecan pies and not mashed potatoes, her family's usual contribution. Or will she? Gilbert voices Piper's mercurial ups and downs. She can be high-pitched and indignant when circumstances are not to Piper's liking, low-toned and slow when Piper is given an important diagnosis by the doctor, or full of conviction when Piper explains nautical terms. Gilbert's supporting characters have distinct personalities as well, especially the bossy classmate Piper abhors and Piper's goofy but optimistic younger brother. A.R. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine