A Bedtime Story and a Lullaby: Jack and the Beanstalk & Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

I’ll admit, I approached this expecting another by-the-numbers kids’ audiobook, but the narration won me over. Wolffe’s Jack is *just* raspy enough to sound like a boy who’s been climbing beanstalks all day, and his delivery of *“Fee-fi-fo-fum!”* is delightfully over-the-top—my test audience (a very opinionated 5-year-old) giggled on cue. Blior’s supporting roles, especially the giant, lean into a growly, almost pantomime villainy that’s scary-but-not-too-scary. The production shines in small details: the rustle of leaves as the beanstalk grows, the *clink* of golden eggs. It’s not overdone, but it’s there. The transition to the lullaby, though, feels *too* abrupt. One minute you’re mid-giant chase, the next—*poof*—you’re floating in a sea of arpeggios. A 10-second musical bridge would’ve helped. That said, Kunchai’s arrangement is gorgeous: the melody drifts between piano and what sounds like a celeste, with subtle layers that reward headphone listeners. My only other gripe? At 20 minutes, it’s *short*. For parents, that’s a feature (quick bedtime win!), but kids might protest when the giant’s chase ends just as it gets exciting. Still, for the price of a coffee, it’s a steal—especially if you loop the lullaby.