Six Weeks to Yehidah

By: Melissa Studdard

Narrated by: Karen Krause

Move over, C.S. Lewis; Melissa Studdard is here! Annalise of the Verdant Hills is one of the most delightful protagonists to skip through the pages of literature since Dorothy landed in Oz. Join Annalise and her two walking, talking wondersheep as they travel to ever more outlandish places and meet outrageous and enlightening folk on their journey to discover interconnectedness in a seemingly disconnected world. Discover with them how just one person can be the start of the change we all strive for. A book for all ages, for all time: wonderful, wacky, and bursting with truth!

Six Weeks to Yehidah, Melissa Studdard's delightful debut novel, is one of the more metaphysical children's stories you will ever read. Bridging imaginary worlds of talking sheep, cloud kingdoms, magic labyrinths and spirit guides, "Yehida" comes to life in a kaleidoscopic array of color, sound and light.

Listeners young and old alike will be transported via the sentient observations of main character Annalise as she experiences the transcendental metamorphosis of spiritual awareness.

©2011 Melissa Studdard (P)2013 All Things That Matter Press

Great Audiobook for Children and Adults

What other book might you compare Six Weeks to Yehidah to and why?

Alice and Wonderland, The Chronicles of Narnia

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

Ms. Krause is able engage both children and adults, with her entertaining character voices. But the voices never become a distraction, and her reading is seamless.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed at the absurd and silly situations that Annalise found herself in.

Great book to share with the whole family.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book. I reminded me of Alice in Wonderland, with many fantastical tales and allegorical characters. The pace was good and the characters were fun and interesting. I really enjoyed the story and could see younger audiences really loving it, too.

I really enjoyed the narration. The narrator really brought out the character's personality and really good vocal range. And the fact that she sung the songs really helped. (P.S. Listen to any of the songs on 3x speed. I recommend the first one with the sheep 'baa'ing)

Great book to share with the whole family.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Unlike any other stories I have reviewed

A curious mix of children’s fantasy stories, Alice in Wonderland, Chronicles of Narnia and The Wizard of Oz, Melissa Studdard has crafted a lovely story perfect for middle-grade readers (or in this case, listeners).

Annalise is 11 and a dreamer, she loves to sing to the clouds and imagine herself in the stories her mother reads to her. Despite her very tender age, Annalise is grappling with the questions we all have: why are we here and what is our purpose. And she explores the question and gleans answers in the company of her two sheep friends, Mimi and Mabel.

Full of lessons and learning all brought gently to the forefront in a wild mix of characters and lovely prose that often is mixed with rhyme and song, Annalise is learning and exploring those parts of life that lie deep within, and aren’t always visible. Heavily laden with lessons that are intrinsic components of the thoughtful life; touching on themes that range from self-determination, choice, love, family and the circular nature of life and the interconnectedness of all beings. While the concepts are deep and still can confuse and confound adults, Studdard presents the building blocks of initial thought with grace and clever imagery that will enchant younger readers as they travel along Annalise’s journey.

Narration in this story is provided by Karen Krause who deftly manages to add nuanced inflections, subtle tone and pacing changes and a smile in much of her delivery that makes the listen intriguing and entertaining. I love her voice and clear delivery, not too fast or slow with moments taken to just wonder at the lovely word pictures that Studdard has created.

Unlike any other stories I have reviewed, this story is fun and intriguing while carrying what is ultimately a life-altering decision at the end: Annalise is a wonderfully developed character with a thoughtful and imaginative interior life, never losing that wonder and curiosity of a child even as many of her reflections and conclusions are solidly old soul.

This book stays with you for the sheer beauty of the writing and world, and the messages within, giving both children and adults an experience that leaves them richer for the listen.

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

Yehidah

If you could sum up Six Weeks to Yehidah in three words, what would they be?

This is a story that should be shared with other readers. It s heart warming and bring tears to your eyes. I highly recommend sitting down and taking this story in.

A child's journey of awareness.

Melissa Studdard weaves a colorful story. Narrator Karen Krause's characters are delightful and the story is enhanced by her performance.

Dreaming can provide the answers to life.

Any additional comments?

Six Weeks to Yehidah by Melissa Studdard is a well-written and unique story of Annalise, a 10 year-old girl who is a dreamer much like Alice of Wonderland fame. Annalise goes on an adventure one rainy afternoon into the clouds. Two of her "friends" accompany her on this journey, and she meets several intriguing and highly entertaining characters. During this grand adventure and in "baby step" fashion, Annalise discovers the answer to the age-old question of "why are we here"?

Karen Krause’s narration is simply fantastic. She really brings the characters to life, using a variety of voices, and she even sings too! Karen gives each character their own distinct voice and she seamlessly switches between genders and characters with ease. Simply put, she's one of the best narrators in the business!

I recommend Six Weeks to Yehidah to anyone who is a fan of the Narnia books and realizes there is more to life than what meets the eyes.