About mini reviews:
Maybe you’re not an audio book person, or maybe you are. I provide mini reviews of audio books and give a recommendation on the format. Was this book improved by a voice actor? Would a physical copy have been better? Perhaps they complement each other? Read on. . .
Recently, my mom told me that she finished an audiobook called Because of Winn-Dixie. It was recommended to her by Lilly, her granddaughter and my niece. Lilly is seriously a treat, and I’m so glad she’s a happy reader. That’s not always the case with kids who have such easy access to electronics.
Because of Winn-Dixie is about a ten-year-old girl named Opal who recently moved to a town in southern Florida with her father, whom she calls The Preacher, because that’s his job. She has no friends, and her mother abandoned her when she was three. In the first chapter, Opal is in the Winn-Dixie grocery store where the manager is having a meltdown. An eager dog has gotten into the store, and when the manager threatens to call the pound, Opal pretends the dog is hers, calling him by the first name that pops into hear head: Winn-Dixie. I chose the cover above because Winn-Dixie is described as being huge, and most covers have a little terrier of some kind.
At home, Opal reminds her father that the Bible teaches them to help the less fortunate, a tricky segue into showing her dad that Winn Dixie has matted fur and bald spots, his ribs are showing, and doesn’t seem to have a home. He’s less fortunate and needs help, right? The distracted preacher agrees, and for the rest of the summer, the lovely demeanor of Winn-Dixie leads Opal to happen chance meetings with residents, leading to friendships and life lessons. The biggest thing Opal learns is that everyone has grief, everyone is missing someone, and everyone has their own story that needs just needs an opportunity to be heard.
The novel is read by Jenna Lamia. She perfectly captures the voices of multiple characters, such that I could tell who was talking even if the dialogue tag came at the end of the sentence. My favorite characters were Sweetie Pie, a five-year-old girl who insists that every party needs a theme, and Otis, an ex-con who fought The Man so he could play music. DiCamillo doesn’t shy away from hard topics, such as including an ex-con who becomes Opal’s boss. Also, Opal learns that both her mother and her new friend, Gloria Dump, are alcoholics. One of the hardest lessons is that you can’t hang onto things; you love them while they are there, and that nearly broke me because I’ve read enough Katherine Paterson books to know sometimes kids die or animals leave. Would Kate DiCamillo break my heart? Momentarily, but she’s no Paterson.
Highly recommended, especially the audiobook. Thanks to Lilly Violet for bringing Because of Winn-Dixie into my life!
Grab the Lapels 
I loved the film – never had the chance to read or listen to the audiobook for this novel. Based on your review, I’ll have to grab a copy of the audiobook and soak back into this world again! I think the film adaptation did hug close to the novel which is oft-times not the case. Have you seen the film? Thanks for giving us such a rounded reaction and review! I love when readers describe stories like this as their listening to the audio and/or reading the book in physical form. Also, a blessing you talked about the narrator as I like giving notes about the audiobook I’m listening to as well. From character performances to how they bring the life of the story through their narration.
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My mom said she listened to a version narrated by a person named Cherry and enjoyed it, but I felt the person who read the version I listened to was so spot on. I have not seen the movie and only learned about the book just recently when it was recommended to my mom by her granddaughter. I’ll have to check it out and see if my library has it.
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OH! Did you name the narrator?! I don’t remember if you said which version you listened too. I might have overlooked that bit on the review. I agree. Totally. A narrator can make/break a book for me and I’ve been honest about that on my blog over the years. I’ve been listening to audio since 2016 and have a short and long list of favourite narrators, too. I’m getting back into listening to audio this year as it is one of my goals for 2025. I just haven’t shared that goal list yet as I’m trying to finish Christmas & other reading goals before I ‘end’ 2024 properly. Laughs. Work has made that a bit difficult these past few months but I’m getting closer!
Circle back and let me know what you think about the film. It was the first role for AnnaSophia Robb, too. Loved her in it.
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Yep! I did mention the narrator by name ☺️
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I hadn’t realised I’ve been following you since we both started blogging (in 2013). At least I think I have been – as I remember finding your blog very early-on. Sorry I’ve been so remissive with visits and contact. I’ve been juggling a lot and sometimes visiting/commenting fell by the wayside for me. I meant to ask you earlier and hit send too fast – are you on socials? Such as BlueSky or Insta? As that is where I am outside of WP. If so, let me know how to find you so I can follow you on those sites, too. If not, it is okay.
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I actually have no social media outside of this blog, so I don’t go off the deep end, heh.
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I totally understand! 🙂
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I have a copy of this but have never read it. We did one Kate Di Camilo as a read-aloud and it was surprisingly deep and sad for a kids book.
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I think this would be a good one because there is some sadness, but it’s from the past, so Opal has to work through it at the end, and does so quickly.
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That’s good to know! We’ve been interesting in choosing it as a read-aloud together but I was worried something would happen to the dog!
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No, the dog is totally fine. Promise!
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Ok, good! Thank you for the reassurance!
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I’ve really enjoyed her Flora and Ulysses. That’s the only one of hers I ‘ve read. James read the Tale of Despereaux in school and really liked it. I’d like to read more by her.
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I forgot she wrote the Tale of Despereaux!
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This sounds lovely – and I can now count myself as an audiobook person, I listen to them while I drive to work! Thanks to working at the library I found downloaded the libby app and started. It was super easy, and I don’t know why it took me so long. I don’t think I could listen to fiction though, only non-fiction. Sometimes I’m distracted while driving, and I pay attention in and out, so the message needs to be clearer haha
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There are lots of fiction books I can’t listen to and drive, so I often do non-fiction, too. If the non-fiction is story driven, I’ll struggle with that in some cases. A children’s book is easy to follow along with, though. I’m guessing your daughter would be the right age for this? Also, check and see if your library has the Hoopla app, too. Different books on there and none of them have a waitlist.
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I will check that out!
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