Customer Reviews

Rabbit Ears Treasury of Storybook Classics: Volume Two: Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, Three Little Pigs, Three Billy Goats Gruff

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Rabbit Ears have come up with another brand new series and it includes the four cult classic tales, "Red Riding Hood," "Goldilocks," "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," and "The Three Little Pigs." These stories are narrated by Holly Hunter and Meg Ryan and are accompanied by music by Art Lande.

In "Red Riding Hood," Meg Ryan narrates with a soothing voice about how a little girl named Red got herself into trouble with the wolf when she ignores the huntsman's warnings about straying off the path when she is visiting her grandmother. In "Goldilocks," Meg Ryan narrates with a southern accent about how a naughty girl named Goldilocks is in for a big surprise when she breaks into a house belonging to three bears. In "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," Holly Hunter narrates with sass about how three Billy Goat brothers outsmart a vicious troll under the bridge. In "The Three Little Pigs," Holly Hunter narrates the story of how the third little pig outsmarts the wolf who has been terrorizing her siblings.

Both Holly Hunter and Meg Ryan bring humor to these cult classics by presenting a more modern version to each story, making them more sassy and new-improved than the old-fashioned style they were associated with for many years. Art Lande's sassy music brings a new meaning to fairy tales as he uses saxophones and up-beat piano ballads to make the stories more hip. These set of Storybook Classics is filled with humor and suspense and will remain to be one of the most cherished series for children.

Not sure why the accents would bother anyone. My kids started listening to these at around age 3, and they still demand to re-listen. Never once hada problem understanding what was being said, or at least never had a complaint. Holly Hunter's readings, in particular, are spectacular. My wife and I love them as well, I should admit. That second billy goat Gruff is just a killer. So is the last of the three pigs. Really just great readings.

This is a unique retelling. The voices in some stories are grating to me, but the children are highly entertained while I play this from my iPhone during waits in doctors offices or car repair places.

These stories are classic ones, beloved by generations of children. Here they are told with zest and a few new twists. I wonder why there is such an emphasis on southern US accents, but never mind: Holly Hunter and Meg Ryan have done a stellar job.

Based on reviews of similar CDs, I was afraid the music might be intrusive, but it isn't.

My only complaint - and it's a big one - is with the recording quality. Each story appears to have been recorded in 2-3 sections, and many times a section breaks off suddenly in mid-sentence. So words/phrases are missing, sometimes at crucial junctures. This is completely unacceptable.

What attracted me to this compilation of stories on audio CD was the stars associated with it such as Holly Hunter and Meg Ryan. I was curious to see how they would narrate stories for children. Well, I found the new additions such as plot twists etc quite refreshing, but my preschooler found it hard to understand the Southern US accents in the narration, and I felt the producers of the CD should have stuck to a neutral accent given the target listening audience. The accompanying music was ok. On the whole, I much prefer Jim Weiss' storytelling recordings which are clear, succint and easy to understand.