Magically entertaining

Would you consider the audio edition of The Creatures of Chichester to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version

What other book might you compare The Creatures of Chichester to, and why?

The One about the Mystery Blaze, which is another book in the series I enjoyed.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The scene with the frozen professors was good but the scenes where the kids are trying to look for clues are also very thrilling.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I thought the narrator was very good and loved all the different accents and voices.

Any additional comments?

A really well constructed children's story where the familiar Creatures from Chichester join forces to solve a mystery. This time it revolves around an eerie conspiracy. Three children find themselves in danger when a massive lake fills the city. But when the boy's goldfish end up in this magical golden lake it grants them special powers. Is it down to the fish to save the city population from drowning?

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Great for the kids

An ideal audio book for bedtime where you can listen together with you children and share the fun. Christopher Joyce has produced a fine,entertaining children's story and chosen a narrator who breathes atmosphere and enchantment into an already lovely story. Highly recommended.

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An enchanting child’s view of the world!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

An utterly delightful story from Christopher! The detail and description is entirely from the children’s perspective, which is enchanting and Christopher keeps up the pace of the story very well. It kept my grandchildren hooked throughout!

To recall the detail a child perceives and the wonder a child carries with them is a true talent and Christopher manages this. A true Peter Pan!

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Delightful and beautifully read

This is a delightful story that I will be recommending for my young grandchildren. It is beautifully narrated by Time Winters, who has a mellifluous, soothing voice – ideal for sleepy children at bedtime. It would be useful for along car journey too. There are lots of messages threaded throughout the tale, which I saw as follow: the foolishness of some Twolegs, (or humans), as opposed to lateral thinking children and, of course, those animals to be found all over the place in Chichester. There is a fabulous cast of animals and the narrator cleverly differentiates between them all with his expressive voice– Purrcasso, the Bengal cat from the Art Gallery, Plectrum, the rabbit from the music shop, Knuckles and Steak, the dogs at the butcher’s, Shandy the hamster from the pub, to name a few… Then there are the mice, birds, goldfish – and of course the spiders. Spiders rule … no need to be scared of these clever eight-legged friends who travel across the city nestled in dogs’ fur. I loved Codger, the old mole from the hospice, who comes out with rambling rhymes and riddles: “The sound of silence is as loud as thunder, music makes you dance from a place down under…” and so on. A great story for young children to listen to and to learn from too. The author has cast the main child, Jacob, as dyslexic and motherless. His father lovingly cares for him and Jacob’s problem-solving saves Chichester. Anybody who knows the beautiful cathedral city of Chichester will be sure to love this little book of adventure that takes the reader to real destinations. And if you have never walked down South Street, round the cathedral or stopped under the market cross, no matter, it’s still a charming tale.

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2 people found this helpful

A beautiful, well read children's mystery story

Where does The Creatures of Chichester rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the first audible book I've listened to and sounded fine. I've listened to other audio books and it compares equally to them in quality. As a story it is read beautifully and sounds like having a grandparent reading to you. The story about Jacob, his friends and the creatures of Chichester saving the day is an engaging adventure mystery.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Creatures of Chichester?

I enjoyed the descriptions used and the way the dialogue was read. I loved when Jacob, being dyslexic, was able to use his uniqueness to read what others couldn't, and learn what is going on to help solve the problem that had descended upon Chichester.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I enjoyed the introductory scenes which set the scene of the story and of Chichester, the feeling of Chichester as a City and of various locations around Chichester. The previous five books are all set in Chichester, but if the reader doesn't know Chichester and perhaps hasn't read or listened to the previous books this is helpful to give a taste of what Chichester is like and an overview of the location this story takes place in.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to this story in a single sitting. It is a little over 90 minutes, which is great for older children to listen to in one sitting and will keep them occupied for about an hour and a half. Each chapter is about 8 minutes long which is ideal for younger children to listen to, and great for young children to listen to at bedtime where they can listen to a chapter per night read in a calm relaxing voice.

Any additional comments?

I have read most of the previous Creatures of Chichester books, this is the first one where I've listened to the audiobook version. It is well read at a comfortable and calm pace.

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It had us hooked!

My children aged 7 and 10 are fans of the Creatures of Chichester series and were excited to have the opportunity to listen to The One About the Golden Lake as we set off on a long journey in the car.

We have previously read the story, and so it took us a moment to get used to hearing it delivered by a new voice. We put the play speed to x1.5 and were soon all hooked (pardon the pun). Time Winters’ individual voices for the characters kept us all entertained as did the adventure, proving that the story can be heard and enjoyed again and again.

My children liked the fact Jacob, the main character, is dyslexic as their daddy is and, with autism in the family too, they appreciate that people can see and interpret situations differently. It is lovely to come across a book that acknowledges dyslexia and celebrates diverse thinking.

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