Simon Prebble’s warm, engaging narration immediately draws listeners into the glow of this Dickens story. Prebble imitates the voices of characters young and old, currying his British accent and using rhythms, pauses, and chirps to define the depth and personality of each character. This novella is the third in the author’s series of five Christmas books, the most popular being A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This tale features a wise and persuasive cricket who is nestled atop a hearth. When a situation rears its head, the little creature rescues the disquieted victim by speaking of love and understanding. Prebble captures such heartfelt moments with a soft vocal tonality. So curl up on your favorite loveseat with a cup of cocoa and savor this sweet treat. E.B. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine