Listening for the Crack of Dawn

Listening to the story is better than reading it. His accent and voice make the vivid stories come alive. His stories, about growing up in western North Carolina are nostalgic, yet the issues will appeal to anyone of any age. My children 9 and 15 love his tapes along with my 70 year old parents. He is one of our favorite people to listen to in the car on trips.

I am buying Donald Davis' cassette, "THE CRACK OF DAWN" for the second time. I owned my first copy for many years until by stereo was stolen from my car and had Mr. Davis' tape in it. I had the privilege of meeting him at a storytelling festival at Cal State University, Los Angeles and heard this story in person. It is every bit as good on tape. Mr. Davis spins his yarn in such a mesmerizing way that you can almost see his Aunt Laura and hear the "Crack of Dawn."

I've read the book and listened to the audio cassette, and it's hard for me to pick which one I like more. The book has more stories, it's true, but the cassette has Donald's lovely Southern drawl. He has an infectious manner of telling that makes car trips--no matter how long or short--out and out fun. I've never laughed or cried so hard as at Listening for the Crack of Dawn. The last story, "A Different Drummer," is by far my favorite, since it makes me do both. Donald Davis is truly one of America's best storytellers, for kids, teenagers, and adults. Buy this title, in whatever format, and you won't be sorry!

Donald Davis is a wonderful writer and story teller. My children love to hear his stories as well as I. It makes a long trip in the car much more fun.

We had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Davis in Dallas in May, 1993. We were taken to his performance by our sons' Latin teacher. This made his story of Ms. V.D.'s Latin class all the more entertaining. Our family has, for years decorated our Christmas tree with Ivory Snow soap. His story of Christmas in Sulphur Springs gave us some warming insight into possible origins of the tradition. I'm sure most will find comfortably familiar territory as well, or at least be reminded of nearly forgotten family memories of their own. What a great collection. What a great story teller. Greatfully, our copy is autographed.