Puffin Audiobooks: feedback for Magic & Adventure titles…find out what MNers think PLUS non testers - chance to win £75! NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the 125 Mumsnetters and their DCs who listened to a Magic & Adventure audiobook. Testers could choose one of the following audiobook titles:

1. The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy read by Gemma Arterton (age 5+)
2. Going Solo by Roald Dahl ready by Dan Stevens (age 7+)
3. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll read by Sheridan Smith (6+)
4. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham - BBC dramatization version (age 6+)
5. George's Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy & Stephen Hawking ready by James Goode (age 7+)

To listen a clip from each of these audiobooks click here

Puffin say "We are absolutely delighted to have so many eager ears listening to our marvellous audiobooks this summer and taking part in our Audiobook Club
We believe that audiobooks are a brilliant way for families to share the laughter, thrill and excitement of a good story. Whether you listened just before bedtime or on those long and winding 'are-we-nearly-there-yet' car journeys.
All we ask is that you use the discussion threads to let us know what both you and your little ones, thought of the experience."

Non testers: Share on this thread what your favourite audiobook is and why and you will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £75 voucher for either iTunes or Amazon so you can buy audiobooks!

Testers: Puffin would love to know what you and your children thought by answering these questions:

1. How old is the child who took part?
2. Which audiobook did your DC choose?
3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook?
4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook?
5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it?
6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience?

We'd also like you to add a review of the audiobook on MN (using the links sent to you on email)

All testers who add feedback and post a review will be entered into a prize draw where two MNers will each win a £75 voucher from either iTunes or Amazon so you can buy audiobooks!

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ
Standard Insight T&Cs apply

1. How old is the child who took part?

2 children aged 10 and 9

2. Which audiobook did your DC choose?

Going Solo, because it was the only one they hadn't read yet.

3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook?

In mum's bed before bedtime

4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook?

HIfi

5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it?

They enjoyed listening to it together, they found it relaxing, and they enjoyed listening to something they might not have got into if they had been reading.

6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience?

audiobooks are really expensive. we will definitely be borrowing more from the library though.

A few weeks later and we are STILL listening tonGeorge's Secret Key to the Universe. They love it.

1) How old is the child who took part?
8

2) Which audiobook did your DC choose?
Alice in Wonderland

3) What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook?
Afternoon, on a long journey in the car

4) On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook?
In car cd player

5) What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it?
He enjoyed the story, and especially the sound effects. I don't know if it's becuase it's a promotional cd but the volume was up and down which spoiled our enjoyment a bit. Also, the cd wasn't broken down into track per chapter so when we stopped at the services we had to start over again, and gave up.

6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience?* Yes, definitely. We already have quite a few and use them in the car quite often and the 8 year old listens to them when he can't get to sleep.

Many thanks for the cds!

1. How old is the child who took part?
   5

2. Which audiobook did your DC choose?
   The Worst Witch

3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook?
   Early morning, during a long car journey.

4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook?
   CD player in car.

5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it?
   He really enjoyed the story, and was adamant he wanted to listen to the whole thing in one go. It needed me to explain a few bits along the way but that didn't seem to spoil his enjoyment.

6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience?
   Yes, definitely. i think they'll become more relevant as he gets a little older.

Thanks!

Non-tester.
My favourite audiobooks as a child were Just William, read by Martin Jarvis.

I don't tend to listen to audiobooks now as an adult, but my children love them.

DS2 is a tester. Here are my answers:

1. DS is 6

2. We listened to Alice in Wonderland

3. We listened to it during the afternoons on car journeys

4. We listened on a CD player

5. DS2 says, "I liked that it was actually a dream instead of actually real."

6. DS2 is a big fan of audio books and requested we keep listening to this CD on our car journeys. We will be looking for more audio books for car journeys and for bedtime listening.

Another tester here. Have name changed since Hackergate. Previous name was P l a i n H u n t i n g (without the spaces ).

1. The official tester was my 7yo, but the 9yo listened to it all too. In fact, he probably enjoyed it much more than the 7yo (who kept falling asleep!).

1. George's Secret Key to the Universe.

1. In the car, various times, always daytime. It was very long (5 discs) so took ages to listen to. It was a bit of an error to pick the CD version as we don't have any CD players in the house. I hadn't appreciated how long it would be (ie many car journeys) so our listening was a little disjointed.

1. CD player in the car.

1. Mixed review. They did enjoy it and felt it made journeys go quicker than otherwise, but it didn't feel very long indeed. The 9yo said that the narrator's voice was a bit dull (and it did send the 7yo to sleep!). They liked learning about science, and the 7yo says 'Cosmos was really funny'. Both said that they had enjoyed previous audio books (Roald Dahl various, Horrible Histories) much more however.

1. Yes, i think it would make us more inclined to listen to audio books but we need to pick and choose carefully. I can't see us listening to them at home, only in the car. The Dcs would prefer to read the books themselves rather than listen to someone else read them (and actual books, albeit in kindle form, are much cheaper than audio books too).

Sorry typo. I answer 5 should say 'it did feel very long indeed'

1. How old is the child who took part?

6 years old

2. Which audiobook did your DC choose?

The Worst Witch (mum chose it really)

3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook?

Upstairs in the bedroom at bed time.

4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook?

In a CD player. In the future I could see us listening to them in the car as well. I am also considering buying her a personal CD player / MP3 player or similar.

5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it?

DD - I liked the story very much. I liked it just as much as being read a story by mummy and daddy. The lady reading the story on CD had a good voice.

It was nice for the two of us to sit together and relax and listen to the story. I hope that DD might like to listen to audio books on her own more often. She does also like reading picture books to herself (she is an average reader for her age – just starting in Y2)

6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience?

DD - I would like to listen to more stories on CD. Like Rapunzel or Scooby Doo exciting stories or pet stories.

My son is 5 and half, we read The Worst Witch and Wind in the Willows from this selection. We listened to them in the car as we were out and about over the holidays You can read my thoughts on my review post:
over40andamumtoone.com/2015/08/19/puffin-summer-audiobook-club/

I've already bought more CD's following this review opportunity - we love them

1. How old is the child who took part?

8

2. Which audiobook did your DC choose?

Going Solo

3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook?

Afternoon, at home.

4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook?

On the PC but I'll be putting it on the iPods.

5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it?

They all love audio books, she esp liked hearing about Roald Dahls ife as he is one of her favourite authors!

6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience?

Definitely!

1. How old is the child who took part? 7 years old
2. Which audiobook did your DC choose? Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll read by Sheridan Smith
3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook? Originally early in the morning on our travels to our holiday destination, unfortunately halfway through the first CD we had to stop listening as we all (including the driver) started to feel a bit sleepy listening to it. After that we listened before bed time.
4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook? CD player
5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it? She liked it and thought it was a very exciting story. She liked the sound effects which you don't get when anyone lese is reading you a book.
6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience? Yes, but probably only in combination with a hard copy of the book.

Non tester

I love the Harry Potter books read by Stephen fry. He's so sooooooothing and familiar at the end of a long day when commuting home.

Non tester - we have a Julia Donaldson collection audiobook with all her classics on. It's not at all like the audiobooks I remember as a child. It's upbeat and the children enjoy the stories, especially a squash and a squeeze

Roald Dahl stories for us every time!

Sorry, for got to say - non tester

Thanks so much to Puffin Audiobooks for giving us the opportunity to listen to one of their books.

1. How old is the child who took part?

10yrs plus his 7 yr old sister is now listening to it

2. Which audiobook did your DC choose?

George's secret key to the universe

3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook?

In the evening in bed

4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook?

CD player

5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it?

Both kids really enjoyed the story. They've been talking constantly about how stars are born and what its like in space. The are now expecting us to buy a computer they can talk to! Son loved the facts about space in the last CD best - he has asked me to buy the book as he would like to see the pictures that relate to the story

6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience?

Yes, in fact both kids have started borrowing them from the library since they listened to this one

Thanks to you all for letting us take part in the trial.

1. How old is the child who took part?

6 years and 7 months

2. Which audiobook did your DC choose?

The Worst Witch

3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook?

Laid in bed at bedtime 7 pm

4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook?

CD player

5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it?

Skye absolutely loved it, she laid in bed and had the story for her bedtime story, she loved the storyline and in fact has listened to it several times since. For some reason she really loves witches and has all the Winnie the Witch books. I think it made good bedtime reading, a change from me!! The reader had a good voice.

6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience?

Yes, in fact we have a few already, she really loves them. A nice change.

1. How old is the child who took part?
   My daughter is 6 years old

2. Which audiobook did your DC choose?
   The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook?
   We have listened to the CD about 6 times - all in the day whilst travelling in the car

4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook?
   Car CD

5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it?
   My daughter loved the story but also the voices and how the story was told. It is the new top favourite for car journeys.

6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience?
   Yes, certainly!

We were lucky enough to test Danger is Everywhere. DS is 10 but with autism and mild learning difficulties so operates at a lower level. He loved listening to it on his CD player as part of night time routine. He loved it: lots of giggling and although a bit repetitive this suits DS as helps reinforce ideas he has not really understood fully. I would certainly buy lots more for car journeys etc. DS autism makes reading a book exceptionally challenging but this allows him to enjoy the world of books in a more user-friendly way and gives him access to material he would never ever read. Auditory processing can be hard for him so this has really helped develop his rather weak listening skills.
Thanks to all at Puffin/MN for letting us have ago!

1. How old is the child who took part? My daughter is 5.
2. Which audiobook did your DC choose? The Wind in the Willows.
3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook? In the afternoon, travelling home from holiday in the car.
4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook? Car stereo.
5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it? She thought it was 'cosy' to listen to a story in the car. We usually have music or play games, so it was a nice change.
6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience? Yes, I'm sure we will.

Just realised I posted this in the wrong section - did it in the laugh out loud section by accident. Here is my review

1. How old is the child who took part?
   9

2. Which audiobook did your DC choose?
   The worst witch

3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook?
   Different times of day depending on when she wanted to listen.

4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook?
   On her iPad

5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it?
   She liked listening to someone else reading a book she loves.

6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience?
   I think we might do especially as I've found it easier than I imagined to get it onto the iPad.

Thank you for choosing us for the test :)

Tester here. Thanks so much for the opportunity to give it a go, and sorry for the late reply.

1. How old is the child who took part? DS is 6, but DD (4) joined in too.
2. Which audiobook did your DC choose? The Wind in the Willows. A classic!
3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook? We listened in the car on the way to and from a day out at our favourite zoo park. Passed the time very nicely.
4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook? Car CD player
5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it? They really loved it, though DD kept needing me to recap what was going on. It was a lovely adaptation with lots of familiar voices that really brought the characters to life. They loved Mr Toad of course, and we're very amused by his naughty ways.
6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience I think I will. I haven't yet, but am interested to try it at home rather than in the car, as I reckon they'd hear it better, though attention might wander. Really great experience, thank you so much!

1. How old is the child who took part?
   My daughter is almost 6

2. Which audiobook did your DC choose?
   She listened to the cd audio of The Worst Witch

3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook?
   She listened to it in the car when we had a long journey, along with younger brother, mum and dad

4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook?
   On the car stereo

5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it?
   She loved it. She found it funny and laughed out loud at times. She was sad when it finished and was happy when I told her there were more stories about the worst witch.

6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience?

Definitely. We have always used audio books in the car as we often travel to see family who live at least 2 hrs away. This is the first story though which lasted more than 10mins and we would definitely get another one like this.

Thanks for letting us be involved with this test, my children have really enjoyed their first audio book experience.

1. How old is the child who took part?

The child I applied for is 7 but my 3 year old daughter listened too.

2. Which audiobook did your DC choose?

My son chose Going Solo- he loves Roald Dahl and we had read this a couple of years ago but he couldn't remember the story.

3. What time of day and where did your child listen to the audiobook?

We listened to it on the long drive to France in the car, we started it in the morning and dipped in and out all day.

4. On what device did your DC listen to the audiobook?

The car stereo but would have happily used his own CD player had we been home.

5. What was your child’s overall impression of the experience? What did they like about it?

He enjoyed it to pass time in the car- as we have some travel sickness I don't allow reading so this was a good solution. He liked the fact that it was something we were happy to listen to with him as well- even his three year old sister quite liked it as it was an interesting story.

6. Do you think you’d buy or look for more audiobooks in the future as a result of this experience? Yes definately- I was worried it wouldn't be suitable for us all to listen to together but it was fine