If I Were Oprah Winfrey

By: Charles Thornton

Narrated by: Hillary Hawkins

Length: 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

If I Were Oprah Winfrey: Little Nia's Dream is an inspirational story about an elementary school girl that was inspired by Oprah Winfrey's to guide her own life for success. Bullied by another girl she finds a way to change her problem into something extraordinary.

©2014 Charles Thornton (P)2014 Charles Thornton

AWESOME!

Would you consider the audio edition of If I Were Oprah Winfrey to be better than the print version?

havent read the printed version. I believe it would help children by providing an audio version it allows usage of their imagination.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Main character. Focused on helping others get over their fears and achieve their goals.

What about Hillary Hawkins’s performance did you like?

Articulate, Animated, creative and peppy. Awesome work!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes.

Any additional comments?

very relatable for other age appropriate kids and relevant for day to day issues. Good Conflict resolution usage.

I great story to help kids deal with bullying

If you could sum up If I Were Oprah Winfrey in three words, what would they be?

creative solutions, bullying

What was one of the most memorable moments of If I Were Oprah Winfrey?

I love the heart to hearts with Nia and her mom. It was also great to see her best friend being so supportive.

What does Hillary Hawkins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She has a great feel to her voice. Terrific pace, quick but not so fast kids won't understand. I love the way her voice has a youthful quality when narrating Nia and her friend.

Any additional comments?

It is a very sweet read that could help kids who are being bullied. It may not be the answer for everyone, but it is a different approach.

Bullying Can be Overcome!

Would you consider the audio edition of If I Were Oprah Winfrey to be better than the print version?

Perhaps. Emotions both good and bad fill the audio and bring the listener inside a young girl's heart as she, through trial and sunshine, fulfills her dream.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked how Nia solved her own problem with Bullying. Although she was assisted by her mother and the words of Oprah Winfrey, whom she had grown to love, Nia, herself, decided on a solution, and through the solution and subsequent result, was able to grow even stronger.

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

I haven't. This is my first listening experience with Hillary Hawkins. I will listen to another.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It is always difficult to stand in front of a group and speak; whether the speaking is a report, or, as in the case of Nia, an opportunity to share something with the class that is important to you. My favorite line comes at this time: "I trembled in my skirt as they poked me with their eyes." Haven't we all felt like that when standing before a group? But Nia didn't let her fear cloud her desire to share her dream.

Any additional comments?

I did struggle a bit with the tags following the dialogue. Tags such as "she said," "she asked," etc. I almost felt as if the pause between the dialogue and tag was too long.

I liked that Nia kept a journal. In the journal she recorded her thoughts, and worked through many of her trials with bullying.