Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

By: Kate Douglas Wiggin

Narrated by: Lorna Raver

The indomitable 10-year-old Rebecca has been sent away from her home at Sunnybrook Farm to live with her two spinster aunts in the quiet town of Riverboro in order to be brought up as a proper little lady.

Precocious, curious, and full of creative energy, Rebecca isn't quite ready to be tamed yet. The prim and demanding Aunt Miranda has her hands full. But soon, Rebecca's irrepressible spirit and bright intelligence win the hearts of all in Riverboro, including her rigid aunt...and she even manages to become a fine young lady in the process.

The unconventional and charismatic Rebecca, a wholly new kind of girl character when she was first introduced in 1903, has since become one of the most beloved characters in children's literature.

(P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Beautiful and warm and satisfying." (Mark Twain)
"Why could [Rebecca] not have been my daughter? Why couldn't it have been I who bought the 300 cakes of soap? Why, O, why?" (Jack London)

Nostalgic

It's as good a book at 48 as it was when I was only 8!

Innocent and refreshing

A cute story that was a pleasant change from some of the heavier novels that I have been reading lately. A refreshing change of pace. Period piece that shows a young girl growing up. Very straightforward, and you get what you'd expect.

Sweet inspiring story

This is such a sweet inspiring story about finding passion in life despite your circumstances.

Excellent story and narrator

This is one of my all time favorite audiobooks! The near raider doesn't awesome job with the boys of the characters

So sweet

A wonderful story of such a different time. Rebecca was such a special girl and her difficult aunt and her mean-ness that made Rebecca tougher. The reader was especially good as well.

Beautiful reading!

The voices portrayed by the reader matched the text wonderfully. Rebecca's story is wonderful and inspiring.

Wholesome classic

Loved the reading of it, loved the story, loved the timeless life lessons. Always wanted to read this book.

A charming story of life

This is a wonderful children's classic, done well. While I didn't LOVE the reader's voice, it wasn't unpleasant, and she did have an excellent Maine accent (authentic sounding to ant New Englander's ear) for her characters' voices, so that this true Maine gem sounded just right. I think that you will enjoy it too!

Lorna Raver was PERFECT to bring beautiful classic this to life

I’ve been revisiting many of the young adult and children’s books which i read as a child now that I’m near 60. Some are not nearly as entrancing as i remembered but others are simply amazing. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is of the latter category- simply delightful, and so full of charming humor!!! So well written. And the bonus is Lorna Raver’s rendition of each character’s voices and emotions along with the New England accents- her voice acting absolutely brought the story to life and magnified it well beyond what the voices in my head would have done. I’ve listened to many audio books and compared and contrasted samples of voice actors reading the same books - and i feel that Lorna’s performance of this book is one of the very very best I’ve experienced. Listening to her sweet rendition of Rebecca’s voice, Miranda’s severe voice, and the gravelly emotional voices of the coach driver etc was just a JOY.

There's a brook, but not a common brook.

Would you listen to Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm again? Why?

Well of course, it's a wonderful period piece. Another factor is that it is a book and Rebecca a character that have been influential in so many lives.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Seriously? Rebecca of course, not that aunt Jane, Mr Aladdin , Mr and Mrs Cobb on and on down to the simple See Saw Simpson weren't wonderfully drawn and engaging characters.

Which scene was your favorite?

I think my favorite scene was when she first meet Mr Adam Ladd ( Mr Aladdin) , falling off the porch.

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

The scene with the borrowed baby and the conversation between Aunt Jane and Rebecca .

Any additional comments?

This story is definitely a should read, along with the Anne of Green Gables ( Avonlee, Island) and possibly the first Pollyanna.