Shrinking Violet

By: Cari Best, Giselle Potter

Narrated by: Calista Flockhart

Whether she's impersonating Elvis, swaggering like Captain Hook, or imitating the sounds of a cricket, Violet is expressive and funny - but only when she's alone or with her best friend, Opal. At school, especially around class bully Irwin, who teases her nonstop, she retreats into a shell of shyness. But when Irwin, playing the part of Planet Mars in the class play, begins to spin wildly out of control and threatens to ruin the entire production, it's Violet who saves the day - managing not only to give Irwin his comeuppance but to find her own unique way of surviving the spotlight.

©2001 Farrar, Straus (P)2003 Weston Woods

Critic reviews

"In another romp from the creators of Three Cheers for Catherine the Great!, Best zeroes in on a familiar childhood emotion with insight and flair." - Publisher's Weekly

Delightful, Deep, Wonderful Narration

If you could sum up Shrinking Violet in three words, what would they be?

Heartfelt, amusing story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shrinking Violet?

Violet's performance, transformation.

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

She is wonderful in everything she does, I find the other audible titles from her very different and equally enthralling. Just terrific.

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

The whole thing, really. I loved how the teacher handled Violet's aversion to certain events and allowed her to overcome her fear by being supportive.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend to anyone who has a child dealing with bullying or has to overcome shyness or anxieties. Also, an amusing mnemonic device to recall the order of planets.

A must buy for Calista fans.