John McDonough has narrated 142 audiobooks on Listento.it by 46 authors, with an average listener rating of 4.7★ across 390 ratings. The most-rated is Silverwing.
Deep South
Summary
One of the most acclaimed travel writers of our time turns his unflinching eye on an American South too often overlooked. Paul Theroux has spent 50 years crossing the globe, adventuring in the exotic, seeking the rich history and folklore of the far away. Now, for the first time, in his 10th travel book, Theroux explores a piece of America - the Deep South. He finds there a paradoxical place, full of incomparable music, unparalleled cuisine, and yet also some of the nation's worst schools, housing, and unemployment rates. It's these parts of the South, so often ignored, that have caught Theroux's keen traveler's eye. On road trips spanning four seasons, wending along rural highways, Theroux visits gun shows and small-town churches, laborers in Arkansas, and parts of Mississippi where they still call the farm up the road "the plantation". He talks to mayors and social workers, writers and reverends, the working poor and farming families - the unsung heroes of the South, the people who, despite it all, never left, and those who returned home to rebuild a place they could never live without. From the writer whose "great mission has always been to transport us beyond that reading chair, to challenge himself - and thus, to challenge us" (Boston Globe), Deep South is an ode to a region, vivid and haunting, full of life and loss alike.
©2015 Paul Theroux (P)2015 Recorded Books
Froggy Gets Dressed
Summary
On school reading lists throughout the country. Youngsters who struggle with buttons and zippers will enjoy hearing anyone can have trouble getting dressed - even frogs! Froggy can’t wait to play in the snow, but will he be able to pull together mittens, boots, and all those chilly weather layers? Children will laugh out loud as John McDonough narrates Froggy’s problems and the kid-pleasing sounds.
©1992 Jonathan London (P)1998 Recorded Books
Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears
Summary
Fall is Mr. Putter and Tabby’s favorite time of year - a time to harvest juicy fruits and feast on baked goodies. But this year it’s not going to be so easy. Old age is making Mr. Putter’s legs, knees, and feet...cranky. Even his cat Tabby suffers from a cranky tail. But that won’t stop them! Mr. Putter comes up with a zingy way to pick the pears. And thanks to Mrs. Teaberry and her good dog Zeke, he and Tabby are showered with loads of yummy apple treats, but no pears - so no pear jelly. Can Mr. Putter find a way to get pear jelly after all? This Newbery Medal honoree and her characters in the Mr. Putter & Tabby series offer valuable lessons, such as the importance of never giving up, using your imagination, and trusting your friends. To the delight of listeners, John McDonough’s warm voice brings these charming characters to life.
©1995 Cynthia Rylant (P)2001 Recorded Books
Brighty of the Grand Canyon
Summary
Brighty, a shaggy young burro, lives wild and free in the Grand Canyon of Arizona. He roams the steep cliffs with the squirrels and rabbits. But his favorite friend is Old Timer, the prospector who shares hot biscuits and calls him Bright Angel. One day Old Timer doesn't answer Brighty's loud "Eeeee-aw!" Instead, the friendly animal encounters a ruthless claim jumper. Will Brighty be able to bring the killer to justice and make the wilderness safe again? Marguerite Henry, author of the Newbery Award-winning classic Misty of Chincoteague, based this delightful story on the adventures of a real-life Grand Canyon burro. Brighty touched the hearts of all who knew him -even President Teddy Roosevelt. John McDonough's animated performance brings out the burro's joyous free spirit and courageous determination.
©1981 Marguerita Henry,Morgan Dennis and Charles Reid Dennis (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC
Day of Tears
Summary
As did his father before him, Pierce Butler treats his plantation slaves like family. But massive gambling debts force him to sell 429 “family” members. When the auction begins, torrential rain falls - not stopping until the final slave is sold the next day. The ominous rainfall prompts these words: “This ain’t rain. This is God’s tears.” Based on the largest slave auction in U.S. history, this poignant montage is the fictionalized account of that 1859 Georgia tragedy. All the shrieks and groans, the betrayal and fury, the sorrow and regret are here in the stark, vivid monologues that pour from the souls of master and slave, auctioneer and observer during this “Weeping Time.”
©2005 Julius Lester (P)2006 Recorded Books
Mirror Mirror
Summary
The year is 1502, and seven-year-old Bianca de Nevada lives perched high above the rolling hills and valleys of Tuscany and Umbria at Montefiore, the farm of her beloved father, Don Vicente. But one day a noble entourage makes its way up the winding slopes to the farm - and the world comes to Montefiore. In the presence of Cesare Borgia and his sister, the lovely and vain Lucrezia - decadent children of a wicked pope -- no one can claim innocence for very long. When Borgia sends Don Vicente on a years-long quest, he leaves Bianca under the care -- so to speak - of Lucrezia. She plots a dire fate for the young girl in the woods below the farm, but salvation can be found in the dark forest as well. A lyrical work of stunning creative vision, Mirror Mirror gives fresh life to the classic story of Snow White - and has a truth and beauty all its own.
©2003 Gregory Maguire (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers
To See Every Bird on Earth
Summary
From well-known nature and adventure writer Dan Koeppel, whose work has appeared in Audubon and National Geographic Adventure, comes this true story of one bird watcher's incredible achievements. When the author's father Richard was 11 years old, he spotted a Brown Thrasher, and his fascination with birds began. Now a "Big Lister", Richard is one of only 10 or so people to have recorded more than 7,000 species in his notebook. This is the remarkable chronicle of his travels across the globe in pursuit of his fixation. It is also a thoughtful examination of the natural world and a touching father/son story. To See Every Bird gets to the very core of a pastime that is a hobby for millions, and nothing less than an obsession for some.
©2005 Dan Koeppel (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC
A Wild Winter Swan
Summary
After brilliantly reimagining the worlds of Oz, Wonderland, Dickensian London, and the Nutcracker, the New York Times best-selling author of Wicked turns his unconventional genius to Hans Christian Andersen's The Wild Swans, transforming this classic tale into an Italian-American girl's poignant coming-of-age story, set amid the magic of Christmas in 1960s New York. Following her brother's death and her mother's emotional breakdown, Laura now lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, in a lonely townhouse she shares with her old-world, strict, often querulous grandparents. But the arrangement may be temporary. The quiet, awkward teenager has been getting into trouble at home and has been expelled from her high school for throwing a record album at a popular girl who bullied her. When Christmas is over and the new year begins, Laura may find herself at boarding school in Montreal. Nearly unmoored from reality through her panic and submerged grief, Laura is startled when a handsome swan boy with only one wing lands on her roof. Hiding him from her ever-bickering grandparents, Laura tries to build the swan boy a wing so he can fly home. But the task is too difficult to accomplish herself. Little does Laura know that her struggle to find help for her new friend parallels that of her grandparents, who are desperate for a distant relative’s financial aid to save the family store. As he explores themes of class, isolation, family, and the dangerous yearning to be saved by a power greater than ourselves, Gregory Maguire conjures a haunting, beautiful tale of magical realism that illuminates one young woman’s heartbreak and hope as she begins the inevitable journey to adulthood.
©2020 Gregory Maguire (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers
Wizzil
Summary
Wizzil the witch is very, very bored. When her bossy parrot suggests that she find someone to bother, Wizzil turns herself into a fly and buzzes off to do some mischief to the funky Frimp family. But mischief has a way of backfiring, and one spell often leads to another. It’s not long before Wizzil has changed so much, she can hardly recognize herself. The zany witch’s misadventures, and the sunny conclusion to her story, will quickly have you laughing out loud. Beloved author William Steig, winner of many Newbery and Caldecott awards, has delighted readers and listeners of all ages with books like Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and The Mud Flat Mystery. Enhanced by John McDonough’s charming narration, Wizzil is sure to be a favorite story, one you will want to share with all your friends.
©2000 William Steig (P)2001 Recorded Books
Froggy Gets a Doggy
Summary
A pet! Mom has agreed: Froggy can have a pet. Off to the pet store they go. Mom would prefer a bunny or some mice, but Froggy and his little sister, Pollywogilina, have their hearts set on a doggy. And when Froggy sees the little dog with big brown eyes, he begs to take her home. Mom cautions Froggy about all the new responsibilities he will have taking care of Doggy, but Froggy's sure there will be no problem. He doesn't count on Doggy being more difficult to train than he expected. Froggy always lands himself in a pickle, but he always bounces back. That's why everyone loves him!
©2014 Jonathan London (P)2014 Recorded Books
Amandine
Summary
Marlena de Blasi, best-selling memoirist of A Thousand Days in Venice, makes her remarkable fiction debut with this poignant tale. Deemed an illegitimate child by her royal Polish family, Amandine is abandoned as a baby at a French convent. As she grows, Amandine struggles to accept her orphaned state. She longs to put together the missing pieces of her identity, but as World War II engulfs Europe, her time to find answers may be running short.
©2010 Marlena de Blasi (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC
Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?
Summary
What does a little bear wear as he dances and plays his way through a sunny summer day? Young listeners will be fascinated as John McDonough's upbeat narration perfectly delivers this book's lilting, musical rhyme and joyful, exuberant rhythm that make Jesse Bear's day a pleasure for everyone.
©1986 Nancy White Carlstrom (P)1998 Recorded Books, LLC
Froggy's Worst Playdate
Summary
A play date with a girl? Froggy is horrified! What will his friends say? But when Dad bribes him with the promise of a movie outing, Froggy has to agree, even if he won't sit next to Frogilina. She might try to kiss him. EEWW! This could be the worst play date ever. Children have enjoyed the misadventures of trouble-prone Froggy in more than twenty books. Froggy just never learns--and that's why we love him!
©2013 Jonathan London (P)2013 Recorded Books
Jesus
Summary
Retired priest Joseph Girzone captured the spirit of Jesus’ teachings in A Portrait of Jesus. With Jesus: His Life and Teachings, he examines Jesus’ life as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. From Jesus’ birth to his resurrection, Girzone takes the lessons found in the Bible and makes them accessible to anyone searching for a better understanding of Christ.
©2000 Joseph F. Girzone (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC
Strega Nona Meets Her Match
Summary
Strega Nona, the local witch, is very popular in her small Italian town. Her potions are old fashioned, but reliable. Strega Amelia, who lives on the other side of the mountain, is a modern witch. She uses the latest scientific equipment in her cures. What will happen when she moves to Strega Nona’s town? Tomie dePaola delights fans of all ages with his timeless stories of Strega Nona and her colorful friends.
©1993 Tomie dePaola (P)2000 Recorded Books
Froggy Plays in the Band
Summary
Froggy wants to win a big prize in the marching band contest at the Apple Blossom Parade, so he flops up to the attic to find his dad’s old saxophone. As they practice for the contest, Froggy and his friends learn the three most important marching band rules: Don’t look left. Don’t look right. And don’t stop for anything! But will these rules really help Froggy and his friends win the big prize?
©2002 Jonathan London (P)2003 Recorded Books
Marching Home: Union Veterans and Their Unending Civil War
Summary
A groundbreaking investigation examining the fate of Union veterans who won the war but couldn't bear the peace. For well over a century, traditional Civil War histories have concluded in 1865, with a bitterly won peace and Union soldiers returning triumphantly home. In a landmark work that challenges sterilized portraits accepted for generations, Civil War historian Brian Matthew Jordan creates an entirely new narrative. These veterans - tending rotting wounds, battling alcoholism, campaigning for paltry pensions - tragically realized that they stood as unwelcome reminders to a new America eager to heal, forget, and embrace the freewheeling bounty of the Gilded Age. Mining previously untapped archives, Jordan uncovers anguished letters and diaries, essays by amputees, and gruesome medical reports, all deeply revealing of the American psyche. In the model of 21st century histories like Drew Gilpin Faust's This Republic of Suffering or Maya Jasanoff's Liberty's Exiles that illuminate the plight of the common man, Marching Home makes almost unbearably personal the rage and regret of Union veterans. Their untold stories are critically relevant today.
©2015 Brian M. Jordan (P)2015 Recorded Books
Mr. Putter and Tabby Make a Wish
Summary
Newbery Medal winner Cynthia Rylant pens the humorous tales of Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby. In their 14th adventure, Mr. Putter and Tabby spend a lovely morning eating apple jam and raisin crumpets when suddenly Mr. Putter remembers it's his birthday. He decides to celebrate by inviting Mrs. Teaberry over for tea, but Mrs. Teaberry keeps calling to delay her visit. Will she make it before it is tomorrow - and someone else's birthday?
©2005 Cynthia Rylant (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC
Froggy Builds a Snowman
Summary
Froggy has a rollicking good time at his first Winter Carnival! It's Winter Carnival day, and Froggy can't wait to build a snowman. But school principal Mr. Mugwort says there is a lot to do first. Skating! Sledding! A snow fort! Finally it's time to build a snowman, but Froggy builds a snow dinosaur instead. And of course the day wouldn't be complete without a wild snowball fight. "That was my best winter carnival ever!" says Froggy. "That was your only winter carnival ever!" says his friend Max.
©2020 Jonathan London (P)2019 Recorded Books
Froggy's Lemonade Stand
Summary
Froggy has a lemonade stand, but he's done it his way! Froggy has great plans for all the money he's going to make from his lemonade stand. But there's a problem: he was so thirsty that he drank all the lemonade. Luckily lovable Froggy has lots of good friends to help him find a solution. Even if they don't get rich, they all have a very good time!
©2018 Jonathan London (P)2018 Recorded books