Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One

Judy Blume lives on islands up and down the East Coast with her husband. You can visit her at www.judyblume.com.

James Stevenson has written and illustrated more than a hundred books for children.
From the Hardcover edition.

Squabbling siblings demand a dual reading, and they get outstanding portrayals by Fred Berman and Kathleen McInerney. Berman is first-grader Jacob, who is called The Pain by his older sister, Abigail. Kathleen McInerney portrays Abigail, whom Jacob calls The Great One because she thinks shes so great! Bermans depiction of Jacob is so exuberant that hes a bit annoying. McInerney has a self-assured tone that exemplifies Abigails bossiness as an older sister. A series of vignettes typical of childhood ensues. The Great One hides the fact that she cant ride a bicycle. The Pain eavesdrops outside his sisters door. Discerning listeners will hear the tenderness beneath their rivalry. S.W. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine