The Shoe Bird

A Musical Fable by Samuel Jones. Based on a Story by Eudora Welty

By: Samuel Jones

Narrated by: Jim Dale

Length: 1 hr and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Seventy years ago, the musical fable Peter and the Wolf unexpectedly took the world by storm. Written and composed by Serge Prokofiev, this droll story for narrator and orchestra has sold millions of recordings in countless versions, narrated by great performers from Sir John Gielgud to Sting. The only problem up until now has been that Peter and the Wolf - composed specifically for children, and featuring a narrator with orchestra - is practically the only piece of its kind. The vast audience that loves Peter has not been able to find a similarly enchanting musical story.

But now all that will change! The Shoe Bird has arrived!

In The Shoe Bird, multi-Grammy Award-winning performer and Guinness World Records holder Jim Dale brings to life a flock of unforgettable bird characters: Arturo the parrot, Gloria the goose, Minerva the owl, and even the extinct Dodo! This is Eudora Welty's fantastical story of how some feathered friends made a fateful switch from flying to wearing shoes, little knowing that they would soon become the prey of Freddy the Cat!

Masterfully scored for full symphony orchestra and children's choirs by Welty's fellow Mississippian, Samuel Jones, The Shoe Bird appeals immediately to children and adults, just like the classic Peter and the Wolf.

The Shoe Bird is a new work that reinvigorates a great tradition of storytelling fun for the whole family. It can be heard again and again, always rewarding the listener with the wit and wisdom of Eudora Welty, the delightful animal characters impersonated by Jim Dale, and the rich musical background of full symphony orchestra and chorus.

Bonus audio!
Click the sample button to hear a special message from narrator Jim Dale, and stay tuned after the story to find out why he says The Shoe Bird "is one of the best audiobooks I've ever made".

Download a free interview with narrator Jim Dale about The Shoe Bird.

©2008 Samuel Jones; 2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

2008 Grammy Award nominee, Best Musical Album for Children

Wonderful book

If you loved Peter & the Wolf as a child, you'll love this. My kids loved the music and I loved hearing Jim Dale again. A truly joyous experience.

Incredible!

I purchased this book to take on a trip. My 3 year old daughter hates travelling in cars (because we do not have one), and we had to rent a car for a trip this summer so I needed to find things to distract her. This audiobook was perfect! Not only in Jim Dale one of my favourite narrators, but the story and music are absolutely amazing! My daughter asked for the first song to be repeated over a dozen times. We did not finish the book until weeks later after our trip at home because she keep asking for the same parts. In the same vein as 'Peter and the Wolf" the story is told through song. Jim Dale, as usual, does an excellent job of all the different voices. I cannot recommend this audiobook enough! We have listened to the book repeatedly since I bought it in May (2012). And I imagine it is one that we will play for years! I love it!!

Amazing story!

I love Arturo because he is quick to repeat everything but also quick to admit he did something wrong. I also love the songs, although they are rather hard to understand.

Great entertainment

If you could sum up The Shoe Bird in three words, what would they be?

Good imaginary story

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

No was the first time

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

Made me smile

Any additional comments?

Good listen, great narrator. Will listen to it again

Superb❣️

Simply wonderful. Great narrator. I wish Jim Dale's renditions of Harry Potter were also as easily available on Audible. And, would this narrator care to narrate favorite books from other countries? I wonder...
Wish list for Mr. Jim Dale.
1. Folk Tales from India By A. K. Ramanujan
2. The Select Nonsense of Sukumar Ray By Sukanta Chaudhuri
3. The Land of Cards By Rabindranath Tagore

Cheers, Audible!

Wonderful Story. Don’t use headphones.

It’s a beautiful story. And of course Jim Dale is always excellent. The only complaint I would say if it is not designed to be listened to with headphones! The beautiful singing of the young ladies choir is very nice but it’s hard on the ears through headphones.

Poor engineering makes this one I'm returning

I love Jim Dale. The story is delightful. The music is good. The choir sings angelically. (though the 'songs' are mostly brief repetitive phrases). Unfortunately, the relative volumes of the narration and the music make the total listening experience rather unpleasant. In order to hear Jim Dale I had to raise the volume on both my FireHD and the plugged in speakers to maximum, and still missed some if my dog walked past or I turned on the water. At this level, the music was far too loud, though not deafening. However, the end blurb from Brilliance Audio WAS almost deafening (at that level) - apparently the only part of the production at a 'normal' volume. It was fun enough it was ALMOST worth it ... but no. I hope they remaster this and normalize the sound levels. Jim and Samuel deserve the award. Brilliance does not.

Poor Recording- difficult to listen to

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Story well performed, creative and imaginative.
However, the volume must be continually adjusted in order to listen. I have never returned an audible book, but I will return this one. It's a shame, my children really enjoyed this. Story on caliber with Leonard Bernsteins Peter and the Wolf.