Piper Green & the Fairy Tree

by Ellen Potter
Published by LiveOak Media
Children's Literature

Piper Green is a girl trying to come to terms with her changing world while living on an island full of quirky characters, like her brother, who pretends to be married (to a piece of paper) with children (who are sticky notes). Potter’s story is ably captured by narrator Gilbert, who creates a young and sweet voice for the first-person narration of Piper. Gilbert gives a unique voice to each character and easily switches between them. Piper’s perfect classmate is voiced high pitchedand prim and, as Piper observes, sounds like someone’s grandma, while the captain of the lobster boat that takes the kids to school has a voice that is both gravelly and jovial. Aside from a peppy tune and nautical sounds at the opening and closing, the performance is free of extraneous sound effects. This simple story of a girl finding ways to accept the changes that life brings will captivate young listeners. Booklist

 

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. AudioFile Magazine