The Little Prince

Grammy Award Winner "Best Children's Recording"

By: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Narrated by: Richard Burton

Length: 1 hr

Publisher's summary

The Little Prince (Grammy Award Winner "Best Children's Recording") narrated by Richard Burton is the most beloved and celebrated audio recording of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry classic French novella. Based on the original 1943 English translation, this one-hour abridged presentation, with sparkling music score, captures the timeless wisdom and charm of the iconic characters created by the world-renowned author.

In addition to Richard Burton (who plays the Aviator) the audio recording features Jonathan Winters (as the King and Snake), John Carradine (as the Fox, Geographer, and Conceited Man), Jim Backus (as the Businessman, Tippler, and Railway Switchman), Claudine Longet (as the Flower), Mark Conrad (as the Lamplighter), and Billy Simpson (as The Little Prince).

The poignant life-and-death odyssey begins when the Little Prince mysteriously appears in the Sahara Desert and says to a downed Aviator, "If you please, draw me a sheep". The startled Aviator complies, but his drawing is rejected, and a conversation ensues with the Little Prince asking numerous questions and telling stories about the very strange grown-ups encountered on his interplanetary journey to Earth. It is later revealed that the Little Prince must return home to asteroid B612 to care for his rose, the one (and only) flower on his small and desolate planet....

Saddened and confused by his conversations with grown-ups, the Little Prince is consoled when he tames a Fox who confides in him that "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye”.

Was the Aviator's encounter with the Little Prince real or imagined? The question remains unanswered, but the story and lessons learned will forever live in the hearts and minds of children (and grown-ups) around the world who gaze up at the stars at night and wonder, what did become of the Little Prince and the flower that he loved?

©1943 Antoine de Saint-Exupery (P)2020 Richard D. Kaye

Critic reviews

"Best Children's Recording." (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences)

"One of the most treasurable audio recordings ever made." (Los Angeles Times Calendar)

"An amazing cast of performers.” (WGBH Boston Public Radio)

Best of all audio versions

A wonderful cast gives this story the depth and lightness that it deserves. The range of Richard Burton’s great narration as the stranded pilot spans concern, world-weariness, wonder, heartbreak and the wisdom of acceptance.

The Prince, in a child’s voice (rather than the standard single-narrator for all the story’s characters of other audio versions), carries so much more charm and pathos. And delightfully strewn along the story are Jonathan Winters, Jim Bakkus and other voice actors as the king, the geographer etc, the accountant etc.

I love this production above all others!

The Richard Burton narration of The Little Prince (based on the "original" Katherine Woods English translation) is far and above all others the best Little Prince audiobook! In this Grammy-winning production Burton, and his wonderful cast members, capture the true essence and charm of the Antoine de Saint-Exupery classic novella.

Music

Wonderful story, well told, disturbed by music which is too loud. Often almost impossible to hear the narration. Words here are too beautiful — there’s no need for music.

Too much abbreviation.

The first part of the story is abbreviated. The story was downloaded for checking the usage of Audible. I should have selected another short story.