Mary Jo Edwards (Children's Literature)
Full Cast Audio brings the author’s 2003 debut novel to life. Listening to the fictional characters on these ten compact discs almost makes this fantasy seem real. Hale’s retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale begins with the birth of the Crown Princess, Ani. Her mother, the queen of Kildenree, has royal expectations of her first born. However, Ani is more comfortable communicating with animals and nature. When one of their mares gives birth, Ani hears the foal, Falada, speak his name, and he hears Ani repeat it. Several years later, after Ani’s sixteenth birthday, the queen tells her that she must travel to a neighboring kingdom and marry the prince of Bayern. Ani objects, but leaves Kildenree with her lady-in-waiting, Selia, and several palace guards. Before reaching Bayern, Ani discovers that Selia and some disloyal guards plan to kill her and the remaining guards so Selia can pretend to be the Crown Princess. Ani escapes and eventually arrives at the Bayern palace. Ani disguises herself as one of the forest people and accepts work as a goose keeper. Months pass and Ani finally gathers up the courage to reveal her true identity to the king and prince. The listener will be captivated by distinct character voices and pleased with the fairy tale ending. The listener will hear how Ani’s self-respect and confidence develop along with the story. This outstanding audio book will make the listener feel as though they are sitting in the audience of a theatrical production. 2005, Full Cast Audio, $45.00. Ages 10 up.

Mary Purucker (KLIATT Review, July 2006 (Vol. 40, No. 4))
To quote the review of the book in KLIATT, July 2003: “This famous folk tale expanded into a full-length novel will be welcomed by fans of other popular retellings, such as Robin McKinley’s Beauty. The world of the Princess Ani, who becomes the goose girl, is a fantasy world, but the people who live in this world are quite human in nature, with just a few supernatural features added. For instance, Ani is able to speak with animals, and she eventually even learns to connect with wind, controlling gusts and whirlwinds as needed. Ani is betrothed to the prince of a neighboring kingdom in an effort to create peace. On the long journey to her new home, Ani is betrayed by Selia, her lady-in-waiting; she escapes through the forest and is given refuge by a woman and her son. There is no way she can explain who she really is; she disguises her identity and gets a job as a goose girl in the capital city of the kingdom where she was meant to be queen. Ani is slowly transformed into an independent-thinking, courageous young woman as she makes her way in the society of other young people who work with the geese and other animals belonging to the king. From afar she sees Selia impersonating her, passing herself off as the Princess Ani, engaged to marry the prince. Selia has plotted to protect her own identity by inciting a war between the two kingdoms?--?but before this war and the marriage can take place, Ani, with the help of the farm workers and forest dwellers, rises up to stop the war and expose Selia as an imposter. The adventure is made all the more appealing by the many details of the horse Ani loves and the other animals she is close to. Her ability with horses joins her with a young man, who says he is the servant of the prince, and their respect for one another grows into love, but it is a love that must be denied?--?until the happy ending. (Fairy tales always have a happy ending.)” The Full Cast Audio group with Bishop’s professional narration make this pleasant listening. Category: Fiction Audiobooks. KLIATT Codes: JS--Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2005 (orig. 2003), Full Cast Audio, 10 cds. 10 hrs.; Vinyl; plot, author notes., $45.00. Ages 12 to 18.