Nortis Learns a Lesson

By: Lamar Golden, Liana Golden

Narrated by: Michael Troughton

In Nortis Learns a Lesson, Nortis and his friends are always up for a good laugh, but their latest prank with the school lunch goes too far when it leaves everyone feeling sick. What starts as a harmless joke quickly spirals into a serious situation, and the group finds themselves facing the unexpected consequences of their actions.

As Nortis watches his classmates suffer, he begins to realize that some jokes aren’t funny when people get hurt. Guided by their teachers, parents, and a bit of their own conscience, Nortis and his friends learn about taking responsibility, making amends, and understanding the impact of their choices.

This engaging story teaches young listeners about accountability, the importance of thinking before acting, and how mistakes can be turned into valuable lessons. Nortis Learns A Lesson is a heartfelt journey of growth, friendship, and learning to make things right.

©2024 Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (P)2024 Lamar Golden and Liana Golden

Better Audiobook Than Most Picture Books

I love that a father and young daughter team have written this and a few other picture books. I was particularly charmed by the end of this book, which had a dedication written by the daughter first, followed by the father, and finished by the illustrator, I believe. I'll admit I am on the fence about audiobooks for children’s picture books for several reasons. First, I believe stories are best shared with a child by a parent or caregiver, not read by an anonymous narrator. Second, audiobooks lack the critical visual element of a picture book. Among the many children's picture books I've listened to in audiobook format, this is one of the better ones. Why? The narrator goes out of his way to make it a unique aural experience, using distinct voices, vocal effects, and sound effects. I wasn't necessarily wild about ALL the sound effects, like the fart sound used to show the intestinal distress of those who had been pranked by Nortis and his crew. Yes, the title character and his friends do, indeed, learn a lesson when what they thought had been a simple prank turned out to have disastrous, not humorous, effects. Like children's books that try to impart a moral lesson, it feels a bit heavy-handed at times, but I did thoroughly enjoy what the narrator put into it.

Fun life lesson for younger children

This story is written in a visually descriptive way. As a parent, I appreciated how the characters found a healthy way to express themselves and were supported in that journey. It's a lovely lesson for younger children to help them learn from their mistakes and find creative ways to meet their emotional needs.

The narration is lovely, and the sound effects add to the listening experience.

I recommend this book for toddlers and preschoolers—possibly even those in kindergarten—as a casual listen and as one to promote conversation around the themes of emotional intelligence, respecting boundaries (others' belongings, specifically), and remaining true to oneself in uplifting ways.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.