Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest: Episode 1: The Quest for Screen Time

By: Marti Dumas

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

Giant afro. Even bigger brain.

Jaden Toussaint is a five-year-old who knows it all. I mean, really knows it all. Animal Science. Great Debater. Master of the art of ninja dancing. There's nothing Jaden Toussaint can't do. The only problem is that grown-ups keep trying to convince him that, even though he's really smart, he doesn't know everything. The thing is...he kind of does.

©2015 Marti Dumas (P)2015 Plum Street Press

I Absolutely Loved This Audiobook

Some thoughts. As a grandma of three grandchildren ranging in age from 5,7, and 8, this audiobook has A LOT of appeal. It's cuteness scale for me is off the chart awesomeness. Knowing what my grandkids like and sort of how their little selves think, this hits the mark perfectly. My kids are in the military so I don't get a chance to see my grandkids as often as I'd like, but this is definitely a book and audiobook I'd send them.

J.T. EPISODE 1: THE QUEST for SCREENTIME is a wonderful children's audiobook that I highly recommend. I thought the three-minute dance party was smart. The entire book was smart. J.T. was so excited when he was assigned screen time homework until he's told it can be done without the computer. Loved it. Plus the epilogue where he has thoughts on when to have TV and screen time.

MARTI DUMAS is a terrific author of children's stories. Even I enjoyed it, with my 'I'm a kid at heart' thing. I think many of us are. I would love to hear more stories written by her and especially more with JADEN TOUSSAINT.

DICK HILL did an Amazing job narrating this audiobook. I was fascinated by his vocal range. He was so good and well, I'm just really impressed with this book and this collaboration. Wonderful job.

Last but certainly not least, the cover art by MARIE MURAVSKI is incredibly good. This is the total package. A no-brainer. One can't go wrong with this audiobook. It's also, in my opinion, educational.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great start to a series!

Seeing this was the first episode, I do hope Jaden Toussaint has more adventures and becomes a series. As a confident little boy, Jaden tries to find a way to get more screen time, which here means time in front of a computer or smart phone and not, as I first suspected, in front of a camera.

Jadon rows up in a loving family vaguely similar to the author’s other work. Jala and The Wolves, but that doesn’t take away from Jaden’s story (or Jala’s in her story). What I love about this book is the deliberately chosen language the author uses to describe Jaden’s perspective about school. Jaden likes school and homework and the author loves to write about kids who have a thirst for knowledge, which is the kind of book I want to read to my kids. I want my kids to like learning and not think that being smart is somehow not cool. I want the heroes of their books to like to read and get to know the world around them.

The narrator is fantastic and does a great job with voices and keeping a pace that allows the story to be interesting and engaging.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

can't stop listening

our 5 year old can't stop listening to this book. she loves it and each time she hears something new which sparks her curiosity. kudos.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Sweet, fun and entertaining

What did you love best about Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest: Episode 1: The Quest for Screen Time?

I love how Jaden thinks! More screen time!

Which character – as performed by Dick Hill – was your favorite?

Dick Hill brought all the various characters to life..especially Jaden.

Any additional comments?

I received a copy of this audiobook from the author via Audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review. I will definitely listen to it again and again.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

"I Know" that you'll love this stro

Would you listen to Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest: Episode 1: The Quest for Screen Time again? Why?

Jaden Toussaint is a short story about a little boy in kindergarten whose brain runs faster than his mouth. What he wants to sat comes out as "I Know". He also loves "screen time: and manages to convince his teacher to let his class have more. What a delightful story this was!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked them all, altough Jaden was really the only speaking character. IT was easy to visualize Dad and Jaden's teacher.

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

Dick Hill really made the story special. His careful enunciation and differentiation made all the characters stand out and made all enjoyable, even though JAden was the primary character.

Any additional comments?

Just a delightful book for all ages!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fun Audiobook for Kids and their Families

If you could sum up Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest: Episode 1: The Quest for Screen Time in three words, what would they be?

Perseverance, creativity, and understanding because it was the combination of Jaden's perseverance and creativity that allowed him to get what he wanted and the understanding came from him understanding other people's perspectives and learning how to use that understanding to his advantage.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest: Episode 1: The Quest for Screen Time?

The most memorable moment for me was when the teacher Ms. Bates sent Jaden's mother an email detailing how he had achieved what he wanted all on his own.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably the couple of instances in which Jaden attempted to say something, but his mouth shortened it in such a way that could've conceivably lost the polite tone. I've done that in my life, that's for sure.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but not because of anything it did wrong by any means. I neither have children nor am a child so perhaps I'm in that middle portion where it's not that affecting.

Any additional comments?

I received this book for free from the author on audiobookblast in exchange for an honest review and found myself more than pleasantly surprised with how good it was. Reminds me of being a younger individual myself, reading books just like this one.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Really cute & fun book for young school-aged kids

I read this book with my six-year old son, Olsen. We received an advanced reader copy from the author of the book in the form of audiobook and PDF. The audiobook was narrated by Dick Hill. Here is my son's review of this book.

"I really liked this book. It was so good. I thought Jaden was pretty smart to make a petition for all of his classmates to sign. I liked the part about the tic-tac-toe puzzle. I want to read Episode 2 because I am sure it will be so good!"

I personally thought this book was super cute. I really liked the illustrations and the narrator was fantastic. Dick Hill really did surprise me on his narration - especially with the voices. I only have one minor complaint - the narrator did not read all of the words in all of the illustrated captions. This book is a good read for Kindergartners and First Graders and I look forward to future books in the series. Thanks for the advanced copy, Marti!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great to Listen to

Where does Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest: Episode 1: The Quest for Screen Time rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was a book for my son, he is new to audio books but really enjoyed it and could relate to the story

What was one of the most memorable moments of Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest: Episode 1: The Quest for Screen Time?

Being allowed to achieve what he wanted, and learning the right way to go about achieving what you want.

Which scene was your favorite?

The last chapter when the pride and the love of his mother is shown when he has made a change to the way the school plans its homework. A lesson in achievements.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It did make my son laugh as the Jaden tried his best to increase his screen time, something he could relate to and probably learnt some lessons on how to get one past his parents.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful

Wonderful! Kids could relate 100%. We really liked the narration and soft music in the background. Loved that characters referred to eachother with special names within the culture!

A very entertaining story for the whole family

we listened to the story in the car with my 6 and 2 yr old and they both were attentive and entertained.

Jaden is Great!

Jayden Toussaint ..."Speaks kindness, oozes confidence, specialises in knowing stuff, and also ninja dancing." I listened to that line about a dozen times. What a cool book!

Excellent story! Really made me smile

What did you like most about Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest: Episode 1: The Quest for Screen Time?

JT's adherence to the "scientific method"!

What other book might you compare Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest: Episode 1: The Quest for Screen Time to, and why?

I found it quite unique

Which scene did you most enjoy?

JT excitedly taking home his first homework, then realising it didn't say quite what he remembered. I think many parents will smile at that.

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

A very witty story, excellently narrated.