JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

Irons joins the parade of British stars offering renditions of Dahl's work and gives a fine presentation of one of the author's most vivid fantasy stories. A chipper pace instantly engages listeners and brings pitch-perfect nuance to Dahl's phrasing. Moving nimbly among quirky characters—James's cackling aunt, a guttural centipede or snobbish, locked-jaw grasshopper—Irons amplifies this adventure of a sweet, orphaned boy who travels afar inside a magical giant peach with a cast of gigantic but friendly insects. As with many of Dahl's books, the pure-of-heart child prevails while wicked, dimwitted adults get their due. Dahl fans, Anglophiles and even those new to audio will likely delight in these proceedings. Ages 8-up. (Aug.)