Reviewed by Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite

Despite being twins, Arisa and her brother, Bril, are as different as chalk and cheese. Bril is the quiet one, reading and dreaming and building skyscrapers in the sandbox he shares with his sister, Arisa. She, on the other hand, is the one with flair who finds fascination in assembling contorted objects as she constantly yearns for adventure. For their ninth birthday, the twins go on a vacation in a getaway land where a magical pond grants birthday wishes. When Bril and Arisa finally announce their wishes, the unimaginable happens – their wishes get mixed up, embarking them on an adventure neither one expects…

Ramona King narrates The Ninth Birthday Wish by Bruce E. Arrington in a Caribbean accent that lends itself perfectly to the exciting pirate adventure that unfolds. She skilfully adjusts her voice to the rhyme and meter of the narrative, using pitch and deliberate pacing most effectively. Adopting a sing-song voice to convey magic and wonder, she also uses different intonations and controlled breathing to convey a sense of urgency, fear and heightened drama that is sure to keep those youngsters who are listening fully engaged. Not surprisingly, King can also hold a tune as she rises to the task of giving us an earful of some catchy pirate ditty. Author Bruce E. Arrington and illustrator Florence Jayne have created a wonderful swashbuckling adventure that kids will love in The Ninth Birthday Wish, but it's the vocal talents of Ramona King that give the story its heart and soul. The narration talents of Ramona King bring this magical children’s story by Bruce E. Arrington to life.