The Notable Characters [Audiobook]
The Notable Characters [Audiobook]
Let us introduce you to the Notables seen here on the front cover. From left to right we have: keyboardist and recent immigrant from Jamaica, Eighty-eight, bassist and recent immigrant from the Netherlands, Dutch, their drummer and leader, the eldest Notable, and obviously very perceptive, Wholesome, guitarist and recent immigrant from New Orleans, Qwater and the lead singer, the high-spirited Suite Sixteen. Note how they wear note symbols on their shirts, hence they are the Notables. This unabridged audiobook features narration and sound effects by Lenny Rountree who along with Rachael Byrd provides voice characterization for fourteen diverse personalities. The running time is 34 minutes. The songs mentioned in the story are here in the soundtrack. Notably, you hear, “We Had Our Nap We Had Our Meal and Now We Feel Okay” and the Rests’ theme, “Doing the Rest Stop.” Lenny Rountree created the music and the musical “Swirl” which is based upon this funny and enlightening story where empathy steals the show. The illustrated storybook is a nice complement to the audiobook and vice versa.
The excerpt is taken from the moments before the Rest siblings perform at the Annual Battle of the Bands contest. The eldest, Wholelotta Rest, leads her younger siblings; Half-heart, Footsy, Arma and Un, in choosing a song. The judges are: the Metronoma Mayor's wife Mrs. Ochorios, Superintendent Mr. Missit, calypso legend Diamond Duds, owner of Soul Shine Seafood Restaurant, Ms. Sparkle, the rapper from Idaho, Blane Bling, and teacher Ms. Howard. Teachers can use this story in a lesson plan where improved literacy is one of the goals. The characterizations in the soundtrack and on the pages of the book can capture a student's imagination, entertaining them while at the same time helping them with pronouncing and comprehending unfamiliar musical terms and general vocabulary.
