Jala and the Wolves

By: Marti Dumas

Narrated by: Marti Dumas

Jala is a curious girl with a penchant for canines. In addition to playing pretend and being something of a gourmand, she spends most of her time learning new facts about animals - especially wolves. One day, after being severely scolded in the kitchen, she returns to her room and is only a little surprised to find that a mysterious mirror has appeared. Like Alice's looking glass, the mirror in Jala's room is only the beginning.

©2010 Marti Dumas (P)2015 Yes, MAM Creations

Step Through The Looking Glass Into The Lair

How fun was this book I th ink it's great for a lot of age groups for read to, read along and of course for pre chapter book readers ready to grow on their own. The main character is a spunky girl who through a magical mirror enters the world of the wolves.

But what I really loved was the subtext of the story line not often is there subtext in a kids book but the message is clear in this one. The strength that loves gives and the importance of family is a theme that runs throughout and there is never enough of that to go around.

The fact that author Marti Dumas was able to create a world of reality and fantasy that is readable and well edited. The narration adds to the story rather than detracting and perhaps that's because it's the voice of the author who knows the nuance and influx of the characters dialogue and thoughts.

Overall great effort on the part of Author Dumas giving it five stars because it's a great story and works in audible form.

A Magical World of Wolves

If you could sum up Jala and the Wolves in three words, what would they be?

A wonderful story, children of all ages will enjoy and be captivated by this delightful fantasy world of a child’s imagination. Jala and the Wolves shares with us the fantastic tales of Jala and the adventures she discovers from her love of wolves, and all things wolf. The story deals with everyday lessons and situations that we run into, from living in a family with little siblings to learning to eat new foods with your pack of canine friends. Our little hero Jala has found a magical looking glass and soon finds herself transformed as a wolf on the other side of the mirror. Marti Dumas has created another classic story of all the wonders and the beauty of your family and home. Jala’s journey has been a wonderful way to discuss with young readers everyday issues they come across in life mixed in with all the adventures of running with wolves.

Which character – as performed by Marti Dumas – was your favorite?

Truly, all of them.

Any additional comments?

Marti Dumas not only has a beautifully soothing voice, but also has total control of the story and each of her wonderful characters. A beautiful performance

A great book made even better in audio form

Where does Jala and the Wolves rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Highly

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jala

Have you listened to any of Marti Dumas’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Jala's fantastical adventures

Any additional comments?

Loved the story, author has a very soothing voice which just enhanced the story

a more humanist view of the world

AudioBook Review:
Stars: 4 Narration: 4 Story 4
I’m always on the lookout for child-appropriate titles that will work as books to share with your children, or encourage new readers of chapter books to ‘do it themselves’. Surprisingly harder than you would expect, watching for content, message and of course, avoiding too much of the action or scare factor that would discourage some young readers. For that reason, faerie-tale morality stories that trend to a more humanist view of the world are my favorites, and are well-suited to a variety of readers and ages.

Jala and the Wolves by Marti Dumas is an action-packed, thoughtful tale following Jala and the lessons she learns along the way. Set just before Thanksgiving, Jala’s obsession with food and animals collide into a fantasy adventure unlike any others I have read.

Jala is obsessed with food, particularly bean pie (I have no clue –but am curious) and she’s apparently often underfoot as food is being prepared. Shooed out of the kitchen one morning during breakfast preparations, she retreats to her room to read more in her book about wolves. But a strange mirror draws her attention, and soon she is the alpha female, tasked with managing this new pack.

The wolves have hit a rough patch, and aren’t the best at finding food for their own survival. Jala uses her own experiences and knowledge to teach the wolves a new way, and learns much about availability and making do as she travels.

The lessons in this story are multilayered, from understanding that not everyone has or knows what you do, to the often very real struggle for enough to eat, and using your own knowledge and experience to move forward in multiple situations. Jala was a wonderful character, with a solid voice and curiosity.

Narration was provided by the author, Marti Dumas, and her presentation is wholly relaxing and reminiscent of ‘story hour’ at the children’s library. Dumas knows her story thoroughly, and presents Jala with a youthful tone and optimistic approach to life and her journey, and a thoughtful side that explains and presents her conclusions from the journey in an easy to understand way for readers 5 and up.

I received an AudioBook copy of the title from the author via AudioBook Blast for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

A beautiful story from a mother to her daughter

“Jala and the Wolves” was written by a mother for her daughter and you can hear it in the story. Narrated by the author, she sets the tone of her story with her breathy voice and purposeful cadence. She lets the story pour out of her like syrup. She never rushes and the story could easily be played from car ride to bedtime.

Jala is a curious, intelligent, bean-pie-loving girl with an encyclopedic knowledge of animals. When a mirror appears in her room as she waits for breakfast the day before thanksgiving, it transports her to a place where she becomes a leader at her young age. She has a special connection with wolves that fuels her adventure. She absorbs information like a sponge, and in her adventure all the facts she devoured guide her with the wolves.

The vivid language pulls you into the story. The way she describes how things look and smell is accessible even to younger readers. There are some elements that may be a little heavy for younger children but many themes run through the book that can spark a dialogue about animals, family, and responsibility.

There were two things I really loved about this book that made it really stand out among other children’s books and chapter books. The first was how the wolves communicate. They don’t speak to each other but allow expressions and smells to convey messages to each other. Instead of making the wolves anthropomorphic, they are left as wolves and we are given a more authentic-feeling story with animals.

The second was that though Jala is beautiful, it isn’t a main component of the story. It’s a side note. Jala’s looks don’t advance the story or come in handy. Jala relies on her intelligence and resourcefulness to solve problems.

This audiobook is a solid pick to share between parents and children. It clocks in at just over an hour and should this book become a favorite to my little one, I’d be inclined to pick up a hard copy of the book to read aloud and provide my own interpretation.

Fully enjoyable

Any additional comments?

I bought this audio book for the daughter and she really enjoys it. She is fully immersed in the story as the audio book plays. Jala and the Wolves tells about the adventure of Jala and her loves for canine animals especially wolves. I believe my daughter will pick up some growing up lessons from this book too.

The narration is a wonder to listen to and so it is easy to capture my daughter's attention. Overall high recommended for its theme and story line!

Lost in the Adventure

Dumas does an excellent job capturing the transition of a mother's lessons to her daughter and making the story come alive. I was truly lost in the adventure of the story and didn't realize I had learned something until it was all over! This is exactly the type of reading I want for my children. Dumas' voice enhances the ambiance of the setting and is sure to have young readers coming back for more. I would definitely recommend this book for grades 2-6.

Charming story

Would you listen to Jala and the Wolves again? Why?

I would like to listen to Jala and the Wolves again because it was an interesting story with the narrator's voice that entertained as well.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Jala and the Wolves?

The character Jala is so delightful as she is comfortable in her own skin and charming in any setting. Whatever she does, she does it with confidence and style.

What does Marti Dumas bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I have read the book with my daughter, but as an audio book, you have a voice style that I cannot mimic as well; the smooth voice, the slight drawl that helps with the Louisiana setting at the beginning, and inflections that I may have missed reading it out loud.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

The story has an empowering quality for girls who want to do great things. There are literary connections that made me smile, such as Alice in Wonderland and Wolves in the Walls. Family is crucial to Jala's real and fantasy worlds. It is literary, fantasy, and informational all wrapped in one. By having the author narrate, it gives more of the voice that was in the author's head when she was writing it down.

My Niece's Favorite!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I got the text version of the book for my young cousin and she loved it a lot. So, I decided to get the audiobook when my niece and nephew came over during the weekend. I don't really buy too many audiobooks, but I'm glad I got this one. The narration is brilliant and in spite of reading the text version, it really kept me interested throughout. Both my niece and nephew loved this lovely story. There are a lot of powerful messages for the young readers and these message will certainly transform their lives in a very positive way.

What did you like best about this story?

How all the lesson Jala learns from her adventures help with her life at home.

Have you listened to any of Marti Dumas’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The relationship that the family shares was really heart-touching.

Any additional comments?

A discount for owners of the Kindle version would have been awesome.

Very sweet story. Quick read.

What did you love best about Jala and the Wolves?

It was a nice little fairy tale for younger children.

What other book might you compare Jala and the Wolves to and why?

It had a bit of a Mother Goose vibe to it.

Have you listened to any of Marti Dumas’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've never heard or read anything by Marti Dumas.

Any additional comments?

Very nice narration. A bit slow though.