The Railway Children

A superb cast enacts the adventures of three children who, with their mother, have to leave their amply comfortable life in the city for a fatherless and frugal existence in a quiet country village. The children share the narrating, with the youngest child, Phyllis, providing lighter moments with her slight lisp and forthright (tactless) comments as the children learn to fend for and entertain themselves. In the grand old radio tradition, mood music and every sound effect possible are used effectively to enhance the story, and each villager also has a distinctive voice. At the bottom of the family's garden runs the railroad, with frequent passenger and freight trains on regular schedules. Who knew that the exciting sounds of a steam railroad could be so nuanced? R.H.H. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

This two-hankie classic of British children's literature follows a mother, two daughters and a young son as they repair to a rural area near a railway station after a false accusation places the father in jail. Subdued sound effects, such as the chugging of a train as it roars by, are featured. As usual with Naxos, the tale is punctuated by bits of classical music, sometimes sad, sometimes sweepingly grand. Cast members are well chosen, particularly the young woman who portrays 12-year-old Roberta (Bobbie). A tear comes to the eye as the father is reunited with her. D.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine