LOVE YOU FOREVER: The Best of Robert Munsch

This recording of 12 of picture-book author Munsch's most popular stories will likely prove a treat for his long-standing fans. However, the author's very high-energy storytelling style—featuring lots of guttural noises, bratty-sounding dialogue exchanges, exasperated rants and drawn-out, singsong pronunciation of certain words—will quickly wear thin for those beyond preschool. Munsch introduces each entry with a brief line of background and ends each one with "That's the end of that story"; more extensive information about each book can be found in the liner notes. Those already enamored of Love You Forever , Mortimer, The Paperbag Princess and other selections here will appreciate the recording's snippets of music, studio sound effects and kids' spontaneous participation. These added touches make this CD feel like a trip to a storytelling festival performance. A never-before-published story called "Growl" is also included as a bonus. Ages 2-up. (Oct.)